Best Zach Groshell Podcasts (2025)

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Replay: Lock In The Art of Memorizing my Lines featuring Joel Crump [EP14] 31:53

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17d ago31:53

31:53

Joel and Glen discussed the crucial role of memorization in performing arts, with Joel emphasizing how it allows performers to connect with the audience on a deeper level. Joel shares his personal approaches to memorizing lines for a play, including repetition, writing down lines, and recording themselves. He also discusses the challenges in memori…

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The case for practice and the power of Math Corps with Alex Kontorovich (Ep 52) 1:16:37

23d ago1:16:37

1:16:37

In this episode, Anna Stokke has an engaging conversation Dr. Alex Kontorovich, a math professor at Rutgers University with a strong passion for math outreach. They explore why practice in math is often undervalued compared to disciplines like music or sports. They also discuss Math Corps, which is a summer math program for kids that combines evide…

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Replay: The Stone of Knowledge featuring Sung Hee Kim [EP2] 17:31

2M ago17:31

17:31

Active learning happens when children ask questions - just ask first-grade "knowledge makers" at St. Andrew's Episcopal School. First Grade teacher Sung Hee Kim shares how she introduced elementary school students to metacognition with help from a stone. SUBSCRIBE TO THINK DIFFERENTLY & DEEPLY ON iTUNES/APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3JCpK1u And …

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Rocking the times tables with Bruno Reddy (Ep 51) 59:37

1M ago59:37

59:37

In this episode, Anna Stokke chats with Bruno Reddy, a math teacher and the creator of Times Tables Rock Stars. They discuss his journey from founding a school to creating Times Tables Rock Stars to address foundational skill gaps. Bruno shares great ideas for generating excitement in the math classroom and motivating students to practice essential…

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Universal screening in math with Amanda VanDerHeyden (Ep 50) 53:55

2M ago53:55

53:55

Host and math professor Anna Stokke talks to Dr. Amanda VanDerHeyden about a topic many Chalk & Talk listeners have asked about: universal screening in math. Amanda explains what universal screening is, why it matters, and how schools can use it to identify students who need extra support. They also discuss how to choose validated screeners, common…

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From decline to top rankings: How England transformed education with Nick Gibb (Ep 49) 1:19:18

3M ago1:19:18

1:19:18

In this episode, Anna Stokke interviews The Right Honourable Sir Nick Gibb, former Minister of State for Schools in England. Nick discusses the bold, evidence-based reforms he led over a decade to reverse declining academic performance in English schools. From phonics-based reading instruction to math mastery, he explains how high expectations, rig…

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How we learn: Naive, purposeful, and deliberate practice with Stephen Chew (Ep 48) 57:13

3M ago57:13

57:13

Join math professor Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Stephen Chew, a cognitive psychologist at Samford University. They explore the different types of practice—naive, purposeful, and deliberate—and why understanding these distinctions can transform teaching and improve learning. The discussion also covers how to use feedback effectively, struct…

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The Science of Teaching: Making Research Work in Real Classrooms featuring Dr. Ian Kelleher [EP24] 31:41

3M ago31:41

31:41

Today is all about the science of teaching and how educators can apply continued education in their classrooms. Our guest Dr. Ian Kelleher explains his role as the CTTL Research Chair and makes the case for further professionalizing the practice of teaching, as has been done with so many other fields. In this episode, we discuss why creating assess…

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Mailbag: Math facts vs calculators, a logic problem, the Southern surge (Ep 47) 14:49

4M ago14:49

14:49

In this special mailbag episode, Anna Stokke tackles two listener questions and a comment. She breaks down a logic puzzle that stumped some fans, explains why relying on calculators isn’t a substitute for math fact fluency, and highlights comments from a listener about encouraging literacy trends in several Southern U.S. states. TIMESTAMPS [00:00:0…

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Reclaiming learning time to boost literacy and numeracy with Ross Fox (Ep 46) 1:13:17

4M ago1:13:17

1:13:17

In Episode 46, Anna Stokke chats with Australian education leader Ross Fox. As the former Director of Catholic Education for the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, Ross led a major shift in teaching practices that led to significant gains in both literacy and numeracy. The episode begins with an overview of the Australian education system. They …

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You Have Something in Your Teeth: Growing as an Educator Through Research featuring Sara McAuliffe [EP23] 34:44

4M ago34:44

34:44

Today's interview might have the catchiest title in our most recent publication. Sara McAuliffe is an English teacher, Co-Leader of New Employee Mentoring Program, and Professional Growth Pathway Co-Leader at St. Andrew's. In this episode, we talk about the personal nature of thinking about your craft and the constant nature of growth and improveme…

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A decade of decline: Examining falling test scores with Mike Petrilli (Ep 45) 59:36

4M ago59:36

59:36

In this episode, host and math professor Anna Stokke interviews Mike Petrilli, President of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, about the role of standardized testing in K–12 education. They discuss the benefits and criticisms of standardized tests, the methodologies behind tests like NAEP, international comparisons with PISA and TIMSS, long-term tren…

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Mailbag: Building Thinking Classrooms, number talks & more with Zach Groshell (Ep 44) 49:03

5M ago49:03

49:03

Dr. Anna Stokke and guest Dr. Zach Groshell answer listener questions in a special mailbag episode. They cover strategies for managing varying levels of math proficiency in the classroom, critique the Building Thinking Classrooms approach, and discuss whether number talks should be prioritized for developing math fact fluency. This discussion provi…

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How advocacy is changing reading instruction with Jamie Metsala (Ep 43) 1:15:17

5M ago1:15:17

1:15:17

Join Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Jamie Metsala, one of two content area experts on the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Right to Read public inquiry. Jamie shares her expertise on the importance of strong early instruction in foundational reading skills, the pitfalls of balanced literacy, and the urgent need for evidence-based practices i…

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From Police Officer to Science Teacher: A Journey in Research-Informed Teaching featuring Brittany Shields [EP22] 36:59

6M ago36:59

36:59

Today's guest took one of the most unique pathways to education. Brittany Shields was a police officer before she worked at St. Andrews as a science teacher. In this episode, Brittany and I discuss why she left police work for teaching and the process she underwent to design her own forensics course. We also talk about the importance of understandi…

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Math Academy: Optimizing student learning with Alex Smith and Justin Skycak (Ep 42) 1:14:55

6M ago1:14:55

1:14:55

Join Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Alex Smith, Director of Curriculum, and Justin Skycak, Director of Analytics, from Math Academy. Math Academy is an AI-powered online learning platform designed around science of learning principles. They discuss Bloom's 2 sigma problem and explore how Math Academy aims to address it. They also explain how …

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Supporting students with math difficulties with Sarah Powell (Ep 41) 58:53

6M ago58:53

58:53

Join Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Sarah Powell, a leading expert in teaching students with math difficulties. They discuss the shortcomings of a recent joint position statement by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) on teaching math to students with disabilities. Sarah critiq…

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Going Beyond "Good Job": Creating Actionable Feedback That Works featuring Andrew Seidman [EP21] 35:09

7M ago35:09

35:09

Today I talk with Andrew Seidman about his recent article, giving feedback that works for students and teachers, and the CTL's emphasis on metacognition. In this episode, we discuss current ways of giving student feedback and how these methods could be improved. We also share our frustration with students not taking feedback onboard. Listen to Andr…

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From math to science: How weak math skills hurt students with Therese Markow (Ep 40) 54:23

7M ago54:23

54:23

In this episode, Anna Stokke welcomes Dr. Therese Markow, Professor Emeritus at the University of California, San Diego, and host of the Critically Speaking podcast. They discuss the critical intersection of math and science education. Therese shares her firsthand experiences as a geneticist and post-secondary educator, highlighting the alarming de…

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Project Follow Through: Direct Instruction's overlooked success with Marcy Stein (Ep 39) 1:15:54

7M ago1:15:54

1:15:54

Join Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Marcy Stein, professor emeritus from the University of Washington, Tacoma, about her firsthand experience with Direct Instruction (DI) and Project Follow Through—the world’s largest educational experiment. Despite showing DI’s effectiveness with at-risk students, the results were largely ignored. Marcy shar…

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Belonging as the Foundation: Where Brain Science Meets Identity in the Classroom [EP 20] 42:38

8M ago42:38

42:38

Today we talk about belonging as a foundational element in the classroom with colleague and mentor, Lorraine Martinez Haley. Fifteen years ago 'belonging' wasn't a common buzzword among educators, so today we discuss the connection between the science of teaching and learning and the science of diversity, equity, and belonging. We ask how we as tea…

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Boosting attention and learning with Blake Harvard (Ep 38) 55:16

8M ago55:16

55:16

Join math professor, Anna Stokke, in conversation with Blake Harvard, a secondary teacher in Alabama. They discuss insights from his new book, Do I Have Your Attention?, including how he incorporates cognitive psychology into his teaching. Their conversation explores topics like cognitive architecture, memory constraints, attention contagion and co…

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The Goldilocks Map: Finding the Right Balance in Research-Informed Teaching featuring Andrew C. Watson [EP19] 18:46

9M ago18:46

18:46

This interview with Andrew Watson was recorded during the second USA Festival of Education. Andrew is what I call a positive skeptic. In this episode, we discuss the differences between the brain and the mind and debate the importance of studying both. We also offer tips for analyzing educational research. Listen to Andrew's educational journey and…

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Homework that works with Jo Castelino (Ep 37) 1:06:46

9M ago1:06:46

1:06:46

Join Anna Stokke as she chats with Dr. Jo Castelino, a secondary school teacher, to discuss her new book on homework. They discuss the vital role of homework in education, exploring why it's important, how much should be assigned and what types of homework are most effective. Jo shares insights from research and her experiences, addressing common c…

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Just Tell Them: A Journey into Explicit Teaching featuring Zach Groshell [EP18] 13:26

9M ago13:26

13:26

Zach Groshell is good gatekeeper of information, so we are very lucky today to be able to pick his brain about his educational passions, explicit teaching and direct instruction. In this episode, we define these two teaching styles, discuss the research behind them, and explain why explicit teaching is so rare. We also talk about the importance of …

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How to Build Automaticity with Math Facts: A Practical Guide (Ep 36) 27:15

10M ago27:15

27:15

This solo episode, hosted by Anna Stokke, provides educators, parents, and students with practical, research-backed methods to develop math fact automaticity. These techniques have been shown to work with a wide range of students across age, skills and settings. Key techniques discussed include flashcards, cover-copy-compare, taped problems, increm…

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Preparation for university math with Darja Barr and Dan Wolczuk (Ep 35) 1:04:04

10M ago1:04:04

1:04:04

Join Anna Stokke in conversation with two university math instructors, Dr. Darja Barr from the University of Manitoba and Dan Wolczuk from the University of Waterloo. What does it take to succeed in university math? Which topics are most critical for success in university calculus? They cover these questions and more in this episode, which is a mus…

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Transforming education through behaviour science with Kimberly Berens (Ep 34) 1:11:16

11M ago1:11:16

1:11:16

Join Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Kimberly Berens in Episode 34 of Chalk & Talk. Kimberly is a behaviour scientist, an author, and the founder of FIT Learning. They discuss the fundamentals of behaviour science, the importance of measurable outcomes, the role of reinforcement, and the application of behaviour science to effective instructio…

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Educational leadership: Improving math and literacy with Scott Hill (Ep 33) 1:10:02

11M ago1:10:02

1:10:02

Host Anna Stokke speaks with Scott Hill, Superintendent of Evergreen School Division. They discuss Evergreen's proactive approach to improving education, particularly focusing on mathematics and literacy. Scott shares how his division tackled low math scores by interviewing students, addressing behaviour issues, employing structured instructional m…

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A Student Intern’s Academy Experience featuring Rose Currie [EP17] 28:43

12M ago28:43

28:43

Today I speak with Rose Currie about her experience as a student intern at the academy. We discuss the importance of her relationship with teachers and how well teachers should know their students. We also speak about ways to incorporate metacognition into student learning and what makes for a good homework assignment. Listen in to learn why Rose s…

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Identifying and educating advanced students with Jonathan Plucker (Ep 32) 1:03:56

12M ago1:03:56

1:03:56

Math professor Anna Stokke speaks with Dr. Jonathan Plucker, a professor and director of the Education Policy Program at Johns Hopkins University, about advanced education, acceleration and academic streaming. Jonathan discusses the flaws in traditional methods of identifying advanced students and advocates for universal screening to ensure equitab…

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From Rereading to Retrieval: How Psychology Changed My View of Studying featuring Eva Shultis [EP16] 38:58

1y ago38:58

38:58

If all teachers knew the science behind neuroplasticity and learning we would be better educators. Today I talk with Eva Shultis, who has the unique position of Associate Director for Research and Product Development for CTTL, about our role as stewards of neuroplasticity as teachers and educators. In this episode, we talk about mind-brain educatio…

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Exploring evidence for equitable education with Nidhi Sachdeva and Jim Hewitt (Ep 31) 1:03:08

1y ago1:03:08

1:03:08

Join math professor Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Nidhi Sachdeva and Dr. Jim Hewitt, educators and researchers at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. They discuss their co-designed course on the science of learning and its impact on educational practice. The episode expands on their recent pres…

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Math fluency matters with Brian Poncy (Ep 30) 57:50

1y ago57:50

57:50

In the second episode of a two-part series, math professor Anna Stokke sits down with Dr. Brian Poncy, a school psychology professor at Oklahoma State University, who specializes in math interventions. His extensive research on basic fact fluency led to the development of a free math program called M.I.N.D, aimed at improving numeracy and computati…

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Student Choice and the Admission Application Process featuring Lisa Shambaugh [EP15] 45:52

1y ago45:52

45:52

Learn about the challenges of working in admissions, educating admissions staff on choice and intrinsic motivation, and how the student admission process has changed over the past 20 years. SUBSCRIBE TO THINK DIFFERENTLY & DEEPLY ON iTUNES/APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3JCpK1u And to support our work, please leave us a 5-star review with your fe…

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Math fact crisis: strategies for improving numeracy with Brian Poncy (Ep 29) 1:03:21

1y ago1:03:21

1:03:21

In this first episode of a two-part series, math professor Anna Stokke sits down with Dr. Brian Poncy, a school psychology professor at Oklahoma State University, who specializes in math interventions. His extensive research on basic fact fluency led to the development of a free math program called M.I.N.D, aimed at improving numeracy and computati…

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Autism and evidence-based math instruction with Katharine Beals (Ep 28) 1:02:05

1y ago1:02:05

1:02:05

In episode 28, math professor Anna Stokke interviews Dr. Katharine Beals, who is a linguist and expert in using evidence-based instruction to teach students with autism. Katharine is the author of several books on autism, including one focused on autism-friendly curriculum and instruction. They begin the episode with an overview of autism, where Ka…

1
Lock In: The Art of Memorizing my Lines featuring Joel Crump [EP14] 31:53

1y ago31:53

31:53

Joel and Glen discussed the crucial role of memorization in performing arts, with Joel emphasizing how it allows performers to connect with the audience on a deeper level. Joel shares his personal approaches to memorizing lines for a play, including repetition, writing down lines, and recording themselves. He also discusses the challenges in memori…

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Using evidence in education with Pamela Snow (Ep 27) 1:10:51

1y ago1:10:51

1:10:51

In Episode 27, math professor Anna Stokke talks with Dr. Pamela Snow, a cognitive psychology professor at La Trobe University’s School of Education in Australia. She is renowned for her expertise in language and literacy instruction and co-founded the Science of Language and Reading (SOLAR) Lab at La Trobe, which assists schools in adopting scienti…

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Cognitive load theory in math class with David Morkunas (Ep 26) 56:25

1+ y ago56:25

56:25

In Episode 26, math professor Anna Stokke is joined by David Morkunas, who is an Australian teacher and numeracy learning specialist. Their conversation focusses on practical applications of cognitive load theory and explicit instruction for teaching math. They discuss David’s role in overseeing a primary math program. He shares strategies for inco…

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Understanding math reform ideology with Tom Loveless (Ep 25) 1:09:54

1+ y ago1:09:54

1:09:54

In this episode, math professor Anna Stokke is joined by education policy expert, Dr. Tom Loveless. They discuss the National Math Advisory Panel and some of the recommendations in from its final report. They talk about the influential 1989 NCTM standards and their global impact on math education as well as the history of the math wars. Tom discuss…

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Raising student achievement with Dylan Wiliam (Ep 24) 1:01:28

1+ y ago1:01:28

1:01:28

In Episode 24, Anna Stokke interviews Dr. Dylan Wiliam, who is an education researcher renowned for his expertise on formative assessment. They begin by discussing PISA scores and the need to improve math proficiency. They then focus on Dylan's two primary recommendations for raising student achievement – a knowledge-rich curriculum and investing i…

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Red flags in education research with Ben Solomon (Ep 23) 1:08:20

1+ y ago1:08:20

1:08:20

Join math professor, Anna Stokke, for a discussion with Dr. Ben Solomon in the final episode of the first season of Chalk & Talk. Ben is a psychology professor and a researcher in math assessment and intervention, known for his expertise in research methodology. One of the goals of this episode is to provide teachers, parents, and the wider public …

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Mindsets and educational misconceptions with Carl Hendrick (Ep 22) 59:01

1+ y ago59:01

59:01

Join math professor, Anna Stokke, in conversation with author and educator Dr. Carl Hendrick. They begin by discussing research on growth mindset. Then, they discuss whether motivation is a precursor to academic success or if, in fact, success is more likely to lead to motivation. They talk about whether engagement is a valid measure of learning an…

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Ep 21. The right to learn math with Daniel Ansari 57:34

1+ y ago57:34

57:34

Join math professor, Anna Stokke, as she interviews Dr. Daniel Ansari, who is a Canada Research Chair in developmental cognitive neuroscience. They discuss the importance of early numeracy skills and his research on symbolic representations. They talk about similarities and differences between math and reading. They also debunk the misconception of…

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Ep 20. Reading and math: parallels and pitfalls with Matthew Burns 58:18

1+ y ago58:18

58:18

Join math professor, Anna Stokke, for a discussion about reading and math with Dr. Matthew Burns. He is well-known for his research in reading instruction, including research on the effectiveness of the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System. He has also published research on math interventions. He gives a brief history of reading instructio…

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Ep 19. The Calculus Project with Adrian Mims 57:24

2y ago57:24

57:24

Join Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Adrian Mims. He is the co-founder and CEO of the Calculus Project, which is a non-profit organization that aims to increase the number of Black, Hispanic, Indigenous and low-income students taking calculus, starting with support in middle school. They discuss why he started The Calculus Project, the various…

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Ep 18. Education myth-busting with Daisy Christodoulou 59:57

2y ago59:57

59:57

Join math professor, Anna Stokke, in conversation with Daisy Christodoulou. Daisy is a teacher, an author and the Director of Education at No More Marking. They begin by discussing the myth that facts prevent understanding and the importance of content knowledge, with a side discussion on why it is important to memorize math facts. They discuss why…

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Ep 17. Do timed tests cause math anxiety? with Robin Codding 56:57

2y ago56:57

56:57

In Episode 17, Anna Stokke sits down with Dr. Robin Codding to talk about timed tests and math anxiety. Robin is a psychology professor who researches math interventions, assessment tools and math anxiety. She is one of the founding members of the group The Science of Math. In this episode, Anna asks Robin to shed some light on claims that timed te…

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Ep 16. Applying cognitive science to education with Daniel Willingham 57:34

2y ago57:34

57:34

In Episode 16, Anna Stokke talks to cognitive psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Daniel Willingham. Dan shares some of the strategies in his latest book, "Outsmart Your Brain: Why Learning Is Hard and How You Can Make It Easy." They begin by addressing the learning styles myth. They discuss what constitutes retrieval practice in a math context…