DistillED: The Podcast

Discover how Whole Class Feedback can revolutionise your teaching approach by reducing workload and enhancing student progress. In this episode of DistillED, we unpack the benefits of this evidence-informed strategy, offering practical insights that can be implemented immediately. Learn how to streamline your feedback process, focus on common misconceptions, and provide targeted support that drive...

In this episode, we explore how Cognitive Load Theory can transform your instructional design. Learn practical strategies to help teachers reduce overload, clarify learning materials, and support long-term memory retention.

In this episode, we dive into Turn and Talk—a powerful, evidence-informed strategy that gets every student thinking, speaking, and actively engaged. You’ll learn how to implement it effectively to increase participation, deepen understanding, and build confident communicators in your classroom. We’ll break down practical steps, common pitfalls to avoid, and ways to structure rehearsal for maximum...

In this episode of DistillED, we break down the three core elements of effective behaviour management—tools, routines, and scripts—and show how they can transform your classroom into a calm, focused environment. Learn how to stay consistent under pressure, reduce uncertainty through predictable routines, and use pre-planned language to lead with clarity. Packed with practical strategies and free r...

Want to make sure every student is engaged, not just your frequent hand-raisers? Discover the power of equitable questioning in this quick episode of DistillED. We break down research-backed strategies to distribute participation fairly, maximize think time, and create an inclusive classroom where all voices matter. Learn practical techniques to transform your questioning routine, boost student co...

In this bite-sized episode of DistillED, we break down why attention matters — and how to get more of it in your classroom. Learn 5 practical, research-backed strategies to help students focus and retain what matters most, from using a strong “Do Now” to simplifying distractions and making thinking visible.

In this episode of DistillED, we explore how mini-whiteboards can transform your classroom by making student thinking visible. Discover a practical 5-step routine to embed mini-whiteboards into your daily teaching, enabling real-time checks for understanding, immediate feedback, and responsive instruction.​

In this episode of DistillED, we delve into Professor Rob Coe's concept of "poor proxies for learning"—those classroom indicators like student engagement or task completion that may not truly reflect learning. We explore why these proxies can be misleading and discuss strategies to design lessons that prioritise genuine cognitive engagement.​

In this episode of DistillED, we dive into the deceptively simple yet powerful Do Now routine — a short, focused task students complete as soon as they enter the classroom. We explore how this strategy, when used consistently, boosts retrieval, anchors attention, and sets a purposeful tone from minute one. Drawing on insights from Doug Lemov and cognitive science research, we unpack why the Do Now...