Digging for the Why

S1 E7 - Rich tasks and problem-based learning with Richard Perring

MEI Season 1 Episode 7

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Hello and welcome to Digging for the why - the podcast for maths teachers of years 5-8 looking at continuity and why we need to dig for the why in our lessons.

In this episode, Alison and Andy are joined by a special guest, Richard Perring. Together they discuss the following:

  • Keeping your LinkedIn up-to-date!
  • Why should we encourage the use of rich tasks? What do students and teachers gain?
  • The power of asking why
  • Rich tasks don't need to last a lesson, just have a thinking question
  • Listening to student conversations to guide the teaching
  • Is there still a space for coursework?
  • Does there need to be a right answer?
  • As a teacher, be open to learning 
  • Where can you go to read about rich tasks and get some starting points?
  • The power of a collaborative planning model

Links to things mentioned in this episode:

If you enjoyed this episode please help us reach more people by leaving us a (good and 5*!!) review :-)

You can find us on twitter:
Andy - @desire2undrstnd
Alison - @AlisonHopperMEI
Richard - @learning maths


Our intro/outro was produced by a talented young creative - check out his Soundcloud.

Enjoyed this episode? Help us reach more people by leaving us a 5*!! review

You can find us on X
Andy - @desire2undrstnd/Bluesky
Alison - @AlisonHopperMEI

A talented young creative iingledew produced our intro/outro – check out his Soundcloud.

People on this episode