In this episode, Greg and Caiti unpack key ideas from the recent researchED Ballarat conference, reflecting on some of the takeaways from sessions they attended, including those of the two keynote speakers, David Didau and Bronwyn Ryrie-Jones. They discuss Didau's ‘Two rules for great session (and how to apply them)’, unpacking what these offer in managing the complexities of real classrooms. They then turn to Bron Ryrie-Jones’ keynote, ‘Opportunities to respond (OTR): Pure gold for engagement’, highlighting why these are central to responsive teaching. The conversation then shifts to Dr Ben Jensen’s work with Learning First, focusing on the role of curriculum in driving school improvement. Finally, Greg and Caiti respond to a recent communiqué from AARE, drawing connections to Dr Jenny Donovan’s session and examining broader tensions around evidence, research, and what evidence-informed practice really means.
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Greg Ashman
Greg is a school leader at Ballarat Clarendon College and holds a PhD in instructional design from UNSW.
Substack – Filling the Pail
LinkedIn – Greg Ashman
X/Twitter – @greg_ashman
If you’re interested in working with Greg at Ballarat Clarendon College, please see here for open roles and expressions of interest.
Caiti Wade
Caiti is a leader of pedagogy at a boys’ secondary school in Brisbane and is doing her EdD in applications of cognitive load theory to secondary mathematics.
Substack – The Disruptive Educator
LinkedIn – Caiti Wade
X/Twitter – @caiti_wade
Episode resources
An important and solemn communiqué from me - by Greg Ashman, Filling the Pail
Putting strong evidence to good use - EduResearch Matters (AARE)
Escape Oppression Now: Disrupt the Dominance of Evidence-Based Practice - EduResearch Matters
Acknowledgement of country
We would like to acknowledge The Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we record this podcast, the lands of the Wadawurrung People, and those of the Jagera and Turrbal Peoples, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
