DebateMath Podcast
Welcome to the DebateMath Podcast, the show where we’re redefining what it means to debate in mathematics & education, where multiple sides of ideas are explored, evidence matters, and we all grow and learn from hearing each other. We know the world–and our classrooms–are not binary. So we lean into the gray area in our discussions. We invite on guests with differing viewpoints on the way math is taught, and listen in as they debate with each other. Come dig into any debate, where we listen to learn, not to prove someone wrong, but to deepen our understanding.
Episodes
In this quick follow-up to last week’s episode, we invited our guest (Deborah) to model a short, fun classroom debate. In just a few minutes, you can hear a sample debate that captures the spirit of productive mathematical argumentation. Tune in for a rapid-fire glimpse of what these debates can look like in action as we ask the question:
Which is better: bar graphs or pie charts?
In our last Hot Seat, our guests challenged the idea that everyone is a math person. Has the idea gone too far? And in today’s Hot Seat, we’re following up on this idea with a subtle but powerful shift in language—and mindset. What if we had a word other than mathematician or math person? Join us as our Hot Seat guest invites us to rethink not just what we call our students, but how tho...
In this quick follow-up to last week’s episode, we invited our guests (Vanessa & Chris) to model a short, fun classroom debate. In just a few minutes, you can hear a sample debate that captures the spirit of productive mathematical argumentation. Tune in for a rapid-fire glimpse of what these debates can look like in action as we ask the question: Is 100 a Good Approximation for 147?
You’ve probably heard it before — maybe from a teacher, a colleague, a speaker at a conference, or even yourself: “Everyone is a math person.” It’s become a kind of rallying cry in math education. A statement of belief. But is it really true? Or are we over-doing it? It came from a place of countering the narrative that we often hear from students, saying “I’m just not...
In this quick follow-up to last week’s episode, we invited our guests (Jay & Steve) to model a short, fun classroom debate. In just a few minutes, you can hear a sample debate that captures the spirit of productive mathematical argumentation. Tune in for a rapid-fire glimpse of what these debates can look like in action!
- Check out their website: 21stcenturymathassessment.com
- You can find Jay Meadow...
Let’s talk about state assessments. These exams carry enormous weight. They influence school ratings, district decisions, curriculum, teacher evaluations, and often, whether students feel successful or not. They’re designed to measure learning. To provide accountability. To ensure standards are met. But is that what we’re really getting from these tests? Is the way we assess learning narrowin...
This month’s debate is a recording from a LIVE debate that took place at the West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (WVCTM) Conference in March of 2026.
In this quick follow-up to last week’s episode, we invited each of our guests to model a short, fun classroom debate. In just a few minutes, you can hear a sample debate that captures the spirit of productive mathematical argumentation&mda...
This month’s debate is a recording from a LIVE debate that took place at the West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (WVCTM) Conference in March of 2026.
When students don’t have the prerequisite skills, do we hit pause? Or do we stay the course and fix gaps in real time? You’re working on solving equations, but integer operations are falling apart. Or you’re introducing functio...
In this quick follow-up to last week’s episode, we invited each of our guests to model a short, fun classroom debate. In just a few minutes, you can hear a sample debate that captures the spirit of productive mathematical argumentation—thoughful, curious, and includes reasoning. Tune in for a rapid-fire glimpse of what these debates can look like in action!
- You can find Pam Harris on social medi...
We throw around many phrases in education. And specifically in math education, we might hear people say some students are “doing real math.” Or we hear educators looking for “authentic math experiences.” On the other hand, we criticize “rote procedures” or “worksheet math.” But underneath all of that is a loaded question: When does math count… ...
In this quick follow-up to last week’s episode, we invited each of our guests to model a short, fun classroom debate. In just a few minutes, you can hear a sample debate that captures the spirit of productive mathematical argumentation—thoughful, curious, and includes reasoning. Tune in for a rapid-fire glimpse of what these debates can look like in action!
Math has often been seen as the universal language — a foundation of science, technology, and problem-solving. But it’s also often a source of struggle, frustration, and even fear for thousands of students. So what’s going on? Is there a problem with how we teach math? Or is this criticism missing the point — overlooking the structure, logic, and discipline that make math so powerful in...
In this quick follow-up to last week’s episode, we invited each of our guests to model a short, fun classroom debate. In just a few minutes, you can hear a sample debate that captures the spirit of productive mathematical argumentation—thoughful, curious, and includes reasoning. Tune in for a rapid-fire glimpse of what these debates can look like in action!
- You can find Ed Campos on LinkedIn &am...
Artificial intelligence has exploded onto the scene with promises of personalized learning, instant feedback, and round-the-clock tutoring. Some teachers say it’s transforming how students engage with mathematics. Others worry it’s turning problem-solving into copy-and-paste, eroding reasoning, and creating a generation of students who can “get answers” but can’t explain them. So ...
As we’ve done in the past, we wanted to end the year by bringing together a few of our guests from past debates for a roundtable to reflect on the past debates and also engage in a discussion around a central question.
With all the stress put on teachers and all the content we have to teach (not to mention the greater political environment we are currently in), we want to hear from our past guests and dis...
What are your thoughts about teaching how to read analog clocks? In this month’s debate we’re diving into a question that might seem small at first, but actually gets at some big ideas about education, tradition, and the skills we think are essential for the next generation, especially in light of all the technology available. Since digital clocks can be found all over (including in our pockets), s...
Imagine you had a magic wand and could add an extra 30–40 minutes to the school day. How would you use it? Would you dedicate that time to Reading or to Math—and why? That’s the debate we dove into, with two teams facing off in this live debate, answering the big question: Should schools spend more time on Reading or on Math?
*This is a recording of a LIVE debate from the Hamilton County ESC E...
This is the seventh (and final) episode with our guests demonstrating various classroom debate routines. In this episode, we put everything together: using a discourse routine, modeling listening skills, and preparing both sides of a debate. Tune in as guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into a final example with us!
- Follow Mike Flynn on social media: @mikeflynn55
- Follow Zak Champagne on social media: @za...
This is the sixth of seven episodes where our guests demonstrate various classroom debate routines. In this episode, we see another example of the routine where students have to prepare both sides of an argument ahead of time: a Point-Counterpoint Debate. Tune in as guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into an example of this!
- Follow Mike Flynn on social media: @mikeflynn55
- Follow Zak Champagne on social media: ...
This is the fifth of seven episodes where our guests demonstrate various classroom debate routines. In this example, we explore a routine where students have to prepare both sides of an argument ahead of time: a Point-Counterpoint Debate. Tune in as guest debaters Mike and Zak dive into an example of this!
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