DebateMath Podcast

Text us your thoughts! Math class is so often associated with pencil and paper work–students working through steps of symbolic manipulation. But what role does or should technology have in math class? Our world is constantly changing, and how do we adapt to that? From calculators, to apps, to ChatGPT, the resources available keep growing. So how or what should we allow? How can we help students us...

Text us your thoughts! Math exams are the typical culminating assessment at the end of the unit or the end of a semester, but what if we didn’t give exams? What if we instead spent that time on an alternative form of assessment. What would that look like? What are the options? In this episode, we have 3 awesome educators each sharing a different way to alternatively assess students.   Resources Re...

Text us your thoughts! It’s final exam season! So we thought it would be a good time to get into a debate about tests. Should we continue using paper tests, or is it time to give tests on computers? Which way is easier? Which method is best for teaching and learning? Should we stick with paper or is it time to say: Let’s Get Digital! Tune in as four educators share their thoughts on this debate! R...

Text us your thoughts! Let’s talk about pacing guides. What are they? Why do we have them? How much should we follow them? This topic has caused quite the stir in many schools among colleagues. Some educators believe pacing guides may not be effective, or even necessary! While others believe pacing guides are needed so we stay on track to cover all of our grade-level content. Check out this great...

Text us your thoughts! Have you heard that there’s is a new AP math exam: AP PreCalc. Yes, the College Board is planning to offer an AP PreCalc exam, starting in the spring of 2024. So should you offer an AP PreCalculus course next school year? What is on the test? What’s more, the College Board has been involved in some controversial headlines lately. The politics of the College Board are intertw...

Text us your thoughts! Suppose some students do not do well on a test or a quiz. What’s the best way for students to improve and then show their improved understanding? They could correct their mistakes for credit or set a date for a retake. Which way do you want students to show mastery? Listen in as our teams discuss what they think is the best way forward in this month’s debate! Connect with Pe...

Text us your thoughts! Let’s talk about Algebra 2! What is it? Why is it important? And most importantly, should we continue to require it? Plenty of high school students struggle in what we call Algebra 2, and many ask the question “when are we ever going to use this?” Some schools and districts now offer alternative pathways for students in their high school math options. So, that leads us to th...

Text us your thoughts! We’ve heard the question of the relevance of high school math come up in both our podcast and in many conversations with educators. Do our students need high school math? Is it important to their future careers? What topics should we really emphasize or focus on? In this episode, we speak with four young professionals who are not math educators and ask them the question: Is...

Text us your thoughts! Chris and Rob take a moment to reflect on the first season of the DebateMath Podcast. Tune in to peek behind the curtain and learn how these debate episodes come together. Listened to the episode? Share your thoughts! Go to our Twitter: @DebateMathPod to share your thoughts. Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com . Follow us @...

Text us your thoughts! In the DebateMath Podcast season finale, we invited back a few of our guests from past debates for a roundtable discussion to engage in a discussion around the question: What is the purpose of math class?  Resources Referenced in this Episode: Follow Zak on Twitter: @zakchamp , Website: www.zakchamp.com Follow Dr. Raj Shah on Twitter: @drrajshah , Websites: DrRajShah.com &am...

Text us your thoughts! A LIVE debate on Homework! We are so excited to share the recording of our first-ever live debate at the @PCTMpctm math conference. Listen in as two teams of two debate the resolution: Students Should Have Math Homework. This episode includes live voting and Q&A from the audience.   Connect with People in this Episode: Follow Shelby on Twitter: @StrongerMath or @Sneffleu...

Text us your thoughts! Calculus is often seen as an important course for competitive college admissions. Some call Calculus the “gold standard.” Should students push to take Calculus? Do colleges want incoming students to have Calculus on their transcript? How might teachers guide students best? Listen in as we debate the hot topic of Calculus and College Admissions.   Connect with People in this...

Text us your thoughts! Should elementary teachers be content specialists? In most high schools, we are used to teachers being content specialists–in math or history or art etc. Students have a different teacher for each subject. Elementary students typically have one teacher for all content. Teachers are responsible for all subjects at that grade level. Some have said that elementary schools shoul...

Text us your thoughts! You may have heard it by a couple different names: I Do, We Do, You Do or the Gradual Release of Responsibility. Some are for it. Some are against it. We often see it debated about on social media and in person. So, we thought it would be a great topic for debate! Listen in as four passionate educators engage in a rich and fiery debate about whether or not we should embrace...

Text us your thoughts! Quadratics: a staple of high school algebra. From factoring to the quadratic formula, quadratics can span multiple units. Some see quadratics as the building blocks of higher level math. Others ask why we teach it. So let’s talk about quadratics! What is good, bad, or ugly about quadratics? Why are the valued so highly? And most importantly: Should We Cut Quadratics? Follow...

Text us your thoughts! AP Stats–the final high school math course for some students. Is it a great course as it is? Or does it need some updating? Who would you recommend to take this course? In this episode, four veteran AP Stats teachers discuss the attributes of AP Stats that they appreciate or wish would change, as we tackle the question: Is AP Stats great? Resources Referenced in this Episode...

Text us your thoughts! What is the future of grading? Debate this episode’s resolution: Who Sets the Standards in Grading? In this episode, we have a philosophical discussion with two veteran math teachers, on alternatives to traditional grading. Carl Oliver and Nolan Fossum discuss the difference between learning and performance, how feedback can be more beneficial than traditional grades, and ho...

Text us your thoughts! Should students be asked to memorize in math class? We followed up with three of our guests from Episode 2  Dr. Mandi Tolen , Dr. Raj Shah , and Liesl McConchie , and asked them questions from our listeners! Resources Referenced in this Episode: Get Out of My House game from Michael Minas Follow Dr. Mandi Tolen on Twitter: @MandiTolenEDU . Websites: Make Math Not Suck &...

Text us your thoughts! Is a hotdog a sandwich? Does it matter what is inside? What if there is only one piece of bread? Is a hug a sandwich? Listen as our two father-daughter teams hope to sway you on the definition of a sandwich as they debate: Is a Hotdog a Sandwich? Resources Referenced in this Episode: Kyle and Jon created Make Math Moments   Kyle and Jon host Making Math Moments podcast Makem...

Text us your thoughts! Should students be allowed to use notes on a math test? Listen as two teams of students debate the pros and cons of using notes on tests. What is fair to have on a notecard? What types of assessments should have notes? Our guests hope to help you answer these questions as they debate this episode’s resolution: Let Them Use Notes! Listened to the episode? Now, it’s your turn...

Text us your thoughts! Should students be asked to memorize in math class? Listen as two teams of two–with Dr. Mandi Tolen , Dr. Raj Shah , Liesl McConchie , and Geoff Krall –debate the purpose and reality of memorization. How much or what should you have your students memorize? Our guests hope to help you answer that question as they debate this episode’s resolution: Stop making students memorize...

Text us your thoughts! Welcome to the Great Trapezoid Debate! Listen as Zak Champagne and Shelby Strong debate the definition of a trapezoid. Are you #TeamInclusive or #TeamExclusive? Our guests dive into the details of the geometric definitions of quadrilaterals and discuss the importance of spending time in the nuance. See our YouTube Channel for the video version of this episode! Resources Refe...

Text us your thoughts! Welcome to the #DebateMath Podcast! Before our first episodes air, we wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves and share the ideas behind this podcast. Tune in to hear all about our plans and goals. We have an exciting season ahead! Keep up with all the latest info by following @DebateMathPod or going to debatemath.com . Follow us @Rob_Baier & @cluzniak . Listened...