Math Academy: Optimizing student learning with Alex Smith and Justin Skycak (Ep 42)
Chalk & Talk28 Helmi 2025

Math Academy: Optimizing student learning with Alex Smith and Justin Skycak (Ep 42)

Join Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Alex Smith, Director of Curriculum, and Justin Skycak, Director of Analytics, from Math Academy. Math Academy is an AI-powered online learning platform designed around science of learning principles. They discuss Bloom's 2 sigma problem and explore how Math Academy aims to address it. They also explain how the platform leverages knowledge graphs to support mastery learning and highlight key instructional strategies such as worked examples, spaced practice, and the testing effect.

They explore how Math Academy manages cognitive load to optimize learning as well as its success with adult learners and advanced students. They also discuss the concrete-pictorial-abstract approach in math instruction. To wrap up, Justin and Alex share exciting updates and future plans for Math Academy. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in math education.

NOTE: The resource page contains resources and research articles mentioned in the episode: annastokke.com/ep-42-resources

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

04:41 Bloom's 2 sigma problem

10:11 Mastery learning

13:17 Math knowledge graph

21:03 Importance of prerequisite skills

26:42 Worked examples

33:11 Concrete-pictorial-abstract discussion

40:56 Incorporating spaced practice

47:47 Leveraging the testing effect

52:14 Independent learning and incentives

55:51 Math Academy for adult learners

01:01:49 Accelerating advanced students

01:09:57 The future of Math Academy

01:13:26 Final thoughts

RELEVANT PREVIOUS EPISODES

Ep 32. Identifying and educating advanced students with Jonathan Plucker https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-y6cxs-16ad6f1

Ep 15. Modern relevance in the math curriculum with Brian Conrad https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-gek66-148967a

Ep 7. How to excel in math and other tough subjects with Barbara Oakley https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-bqs8p-14068f2

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

https://www.annastokke.com/ep-42-transcript

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://www.annastokke.com/ep-42-resources

MUSIC

Intro and Outro: Coma Media – Catch it Blue Dot Sessions – Balti, Betty Dear, Willow Willow, Partly Sage Podington Bear – Camp, Kitten

Website: www.annastokke.com

X: @rastokke

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anna-stokke-3a1b4c

Bluesky: @rastokke.bsky.social

Jaksot(65)

Rosenshine's Principles of Instruction with Tom Sherrington (Ep 64)

Rosenshine's Principles of Instruction with Tom Sherrington (Ep 64)

In this episode, Anna is joined by Tom Sherrington, education consultant, author of Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, co-author of the Teaching Walkthrough series, and a former teacher and school lea...

6 Helmi 1h 3min

Teaching math so students learn with Craig Barton (Ep 63)

Teaching math so students learn with Craig Barton (Ep 63)

In this episode, Anna is joined by Craig Barton, former secondary maths teacher, host of the Mr. Barton Maths Podcast, author of How I Wish I’d Taught Maths, and a new Tips for Teachers book series. C...

23 Tammi 1h 15min

Why more classroom technology is making students learn less (Ep 62)

Why more classroom technology is making students learn less (Ep 62)

In this episode, Anna is joined by Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, a cognitive neuroscientist, educator, and bestselling author of The Digital Delusion. They examine what decades of research and internation...

9 Tammi 1h 11min

Why students struggle in math and how to fix it with Barbara Oakley and John Mighton (Ep 61)

Why students struggle in math and how to fix it with Barbara Oakley and John Mighton (Ep 61)

In this episode, Anna is joined by two familiar guests, mathematician and founder of JUMP Math, Dr. John Mighton, and learning expert and bestselling author Dr. Barbara Oakley. They discuss their new ...

19 Joulu 20251h 8min

Rebuilding teacher training through cognitive science with Jonas Linderoth (Ep 60)

Rebuilding teacher training through cognitive science with Jonas Linderoth (Ep 60)

In this episode, Anna talks with Dr. Jonas Linderoth, a professor of education at the University of Gothenburg, about how influential educational ideas have shaped the teaching profession and why evid...

5 Joulu 202552min

Why reading became a human rights issue in Canada with George Georgiou (Ep 59)

Why reading became a human rights issue in Canada with George Georgiou (Ep 59)

In this episode, Anna talks with Dr. George Georgiou, an educational psychologist and professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, whose work focuses on preventing and remediati...

21 Marras 20251h 12min

When a mathematician became education minister: Nuno Crato on transforming education (Ep 58)

When a mathematician became education minister: Nuno Crato on transforming education (Ep 58)

In this episode, Anna Stokke welcomes Dr. Nuno Crato, research professor of mathematics and statistics at the University of Lisbon. He was Portugal’s former Minister of Education and led major educati...

7 Marras 20251h 6min

Top takeaways from Anita Archer on explicit instruction (abridged version of Ep 57)

Top takeaways from Anita Archer on explicit instruction (abridged version of Ep 57)

This episode features top takeaways from Anna Stokke’s interview: The Power of Explicit Instruction with Dr. Anita Archer. If you haven’t heard the full conversation yet, you can find the entire episo...

30 Loka 202532min

Suosittua kategoriassa Koulutus

rss-murhan-anatomia
voi-hyvin-meditaatiot-2
psykopodiaa-podcast
adhd-podi
rss-narsisti
psykologia
kesken
rss-vapaudu-voimaasi
rahapuhetta
rss-niinku-asia-on
rss-liian-kuuma-peruna
rss-duodecim-lehti
rss-valo-minussa-2
rss-luonnollinen-synnytys-podcast
rss-tietoinen-yhteys-podcast-2
aamukahvilla
rss-uskonto-on-tylsaa
rss-honest-talk-with-laurrenna
nakokulmia-rikollisuudesta-irrottautumiseen
rss-ai-mita-siskopodcast