Xiaofang (Sarah) Wang

Comparative Education & Conceptual Learning

Episode Summary:

In this thought-provoking episode of Only Learning in the Building, Kaz and Andy sit down with Dr. Xiaofang (Sarah) Wang IB Mentorship Coordinator and researcher at Murdoch University. Sarah shares insights from her comparative research across 40+ countries, exploring what makes education systems effective and equitable. From academic performance to student well-being, Sarah discusses the complex factors that shape learning outcomes and how educators can apply global lessons locally.

Recorded on the lands of the Whadjuk People of the greater Fremantle and Walyalup area, this episode dives into the nuances of comparative education, the role of critical thinking and well-being, and the surprising findings about student-centred instruction in mathematics.

What You’ll Learn:

·      What comparative education research reveals about global education systems

·      Why Australia may have more in common with Canada and Korea than Finland

·      The 13 key factors that influence student performance in mathematics

·      How student-centred instruction may not always benefit maths learning

·      The importance of conceptual teaching and Sarah’s transformative experience with Lynn Erickson

·      How educators can assess for understanding and support deeper learning

Notable Quotes:

“We cannot just borrow from successful systems without understanding the context—what works in Finland may not work in Australia.”

 

“Student-centred instruction in mathematics was found to have a negative impact—because students need foundational knowledge before inquiry.”

 

“Math is already organised by concepts. The key is helping students apply those concepts in new situations.”

Guest Bio:

Dr Xiaofang (Sarah) Wang is the IB Mentorship Coordinator at Murdoch University and a leading researcher in comparative education. With experience teaching in both China and Australia, Sarah brings a unique perspective to global education systems. Her work spans over 40 countries, focusing on academic performance, well-being, and critical thinking. She is also a certified concept-based learning trainer and passionate advocate for meaningful, contextualised education.

Connect with Sarah:

https://www.murdoch.edu.au

https://researchportal.murdoch.edu.au/esploro/profile/sarah_wang/overview

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xiaofangsarahwang

Hosts:

·      Kaz (Host) 

·      Andy (Director & Producer)

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