What are the objectives of education and how best can we prepare students for the future?   Our host for this episode is Paul Ellis, Head of Teaching and Learning at Cambridge Assessment International Education. He is joined by the co-authors of Thrive, a book that looks at the purpose of schools in a changing world. Valerie Hannon is Co-founder of the Innovation Unit and the Global Education Leaders Partnership, and Consultant Advisor to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and...

Heads down, pens at the ready - we're back for part 2 of What Makes a Good Essay? Our host again is Brand Marketer and Producer of the pod, Adam Steele. He's joined by Adrian Ravenscroft from the previous episode and Dr Clair Rawlingson, an assessment professional who has worked as an A Level examiner, Team Leader and Principal Examiner, as well as a Cambridge International Teacher Trainer. And Liz Keeble – the Chief Operating Officer of The Karalius Foundation, which delivers inclusive and...

What makes a 'good' essay? Are there similarities between subjects? Can you start with the conclusion?! Let's find out.    Our host for this episode is Senior Brand Marketing Executive and Producer of the pod, Adam Steele. He's joined by a returning guest from series 2, Adrian Ravenscroft. Ade is a Global Perspectives author and assessment specialist who also tutors full-time education staff looking to gain qualified teacher status. They're joined by Shazia Shah, a Lead Teacher of A level...

‘Yeah, but when are we ever going to use this in the real world?’ If you’ve been asked this question by your students before, then our episode about bringing the real world into the STEM classroom is for you! Our host for this one is our very own Tamsin Hart, a Senior Product Marketing Executive at the Press. She is joined by two special guests. George Vlachonikolis is Head of Economics and Professional Tutor at Headington School, Oxford, as well as Author of A Level Economics teacher’s...

Cameras on and make sure you are not on mute – we’re about to delve into remote teaching and learning. The host for this episode is our Head of Professional Development, Victoria Renfro. She is joined in the virtual studio by two new guests. Siti Zaleha is a Secondary Mathematics Teacher & Teacher Trainer in Malaysia. Siti is also a professional development mentor here at the Press and was selected as one of the 5 EdmodoCon 2021 Global High 5s Presenters. We’re also joined by Nik...

In this episode, we’re looking at ways to introduce the world of work to students, and ultimately, how we can help them to gain employment skills. Our host for this episode is Head of Publishing at the Press, Lucy Mills. She is joined in the virtual studio by two new guests. Vicki Barkney is a Careers Lead at Nene Park Academy secondary school and sixth form in Peterborough and Tom Macildowie, who is a Senior Education Specialist at the software company, Adobe.     Show notes Centre for...

The word ‘metacognition’ can be a bit daunting when you first hear it. Fear not, in this episode we explain all – from definitions to practical strategies for the classroom.  The host for this episode is our very own Insights Manager, Silvia Pirola. She is joined in the virtual studio by three expert guests. Dr Saundra McGuire is an internationally renowned learning strategists and Professor Emerita at the Louisiana State University, USA. Tom Healy is an IB Diploma and MYP English Teacher at...

Roll up your sleeves, because episode 19 is all about hands-on learning!  Our host this week is our digital maestro, David Hickinson. His guests are John Pinkney, who is a learning advisor at Raising Robots and also a certified LEGO Education trainer. And Stuart Swann, former ICT Lead and a now consultant and LEGO Education Academy Trainer.

How much homework should we expect children to do? What is the link between homework and stress? Should we still expect children to do homework? All this and more in episode 18! Our host this week is Senior Marketing Executive, Tamsin Hart. Her guests are Cathy Vatterott, Professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Author of Rethinking Homework. And Michael Chiles, Geography Teacher, Examiner and School Leader, as well as author of several assessment and feedback books.

When teaching subject content in English, should subject teachers also teach the English language? Join us as we explore this question and dive into the world of content and language integrated learning (CLIL) Join our host, Commissioning Editor, Biljana Savikj, with two new guests. Dee Rutgers, is a Researcher at the Faculty of Education, Cambridge, specialising in multilingual education and CLIL. Ali Talbot, is Head of English as an Additional Language (EAL) at an international school in...

In this episode, we discuss a variety of teaching techniques that help to “bring the curriculum to life” and how encouraging imagination and engagement from children can support the development of key skills. Join our host Emma McCrea in our virtual studio with two new guests. Gill Budgell, a Consultant Publisher, Researcher and Author of Cambridge Primary English, and Martin Bailey, Director of Animate 2 Educate Ltd. and Digital Enrichment Leader at Lanchester E.P. Primary School.

Episode 15 is all about 21st century skills. Join us as we discuss this much-talked about education term, paying particular focus to Cambridge Global Perspectives: a course that is all about skills building. Hosted by our very own Janey Webb, Commissioning Editor for Global Perspectives, she is joined by two new voices on the pod. Adrian Ravenscroft is an Independent Education Consultant and Tom Holman is an Assessment Specialist.

This week we’re continuing our discussion on engaging parents and carers in education, focusing on engagement opportunities and celebrating each child’s achievements. Join our brilliant host, Product Marketing Manager Emma McCrea, as we welcome back Richard Morgan, Assistant Head at The Perse School in Cambridge, and Beth Borrett, a parent of three children at different stages in their education. We also warmly welcome Susan Holmes, Head Teacher at the Nehru World School in India.

This week we’re discussing the impact of parents and carers engaging in education, exploring both the positive outcomes and the potential challenges. Join our brilliant host, Product Marketing Manager Emma McCrea, along with two new guests. Richard Morgan, Assistant Head at The Perse School in Cambridge, and Beth Borrett, a parent of three children at different stages in their education.

Welcome back! In this episode, we discuss a topic that gets a lot of attention – assessment for learning. Our host this week is Tamsin Hart. Returning from series 1, we have Mark Winterbottom. Mark is a Senior Lecturer in Science Education at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge. He is joined by Sarah Talbot-Joyce is Education Manager for Teaching and Learning, and Melise Camargo is Training Materials Manager, both from Cambridge Assessment International Education.

Welcome to series 2 of the Brighter Thinking Pod! In this episode, we’re looking into student wellbeing and mental health. Join our host Georgia Robinson in our virtual studio with two new guests. Ros McLellan is a Lecturer in Teacher Education and Development / Pedagogical Innovation at the University of Cambridge’s Faculty of Education. Tamsin Ford is Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge. 

As teaching and learning from home continues, we talk to six teachers from our online research community, the Cambridge Panel, about their experiences of school closures and their advice to the teaching community. Our guests in this episode are Babu Bodapati, Elizabeth Baladhay, Mark Beales, Michael Baldwin, Steve Morling and Tom Healy. Our host is Silvia Pirola.

The final episode in series one is now available. We welcome educators and authors Elizabeth Whittome and Christopher Radmann into the studio to answer your Engaging English questions. From how to encourage modern students to connect with the works of Jane Austen, to tackling the deficit in grammar and language skills in the classroom, Chris, Elizabeth and your host for the week Tamsin Hart, take you on a journey through secondary English.  

We sit down with author and assistant head Simon Armitage, as well as E-learning manager Hannah Mathais, to discuss projects in the classroom. From independent research to 'genius hour', introduce a new, creative twist to your school this term! 

This week we sit down with Dr Fiona Maine, Tony Cotton and Dave Neale to bring you advice and inspiration for your lessons. Start the new school year full of ideas to engage your students, whilst still meeting curriculum objectives! 

Part two of our reading special is now available. Sue and Glen are back in the studio discussing book illustrations and reading cultures in schools. We also welcome back Dr Fiona Maine from the Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge, as she provides inspiration for engaging children in reading for pleasure.

Part one of our primary reading special is now available! We sit down to talk with Sue Bodman and Glen Franklin of the UCL Institute of Education to discuss guided reading and reading cultures in schools.  Hosted by Global UX Design Manager, Cai Reaich.

This week we're discussing all things future of education, and how you can provide your students with skills for life.  Joined by Michael McQueen, author of Teaching for Tomorrow, and Roxanna Herescu from the English Language Training (ELT) research team, we take a look at future megatrends, disruption-proof professions, and the Cambridge Framework for Life Competencies.  Hosted by our fantastic Product Marketing Manager, Emma McCrea!

This week we're talking all things mathematics in the very first of our subject specials!  We're joined by Ems Lord, Director of Nrich Maths as well as author and educator Tony Cotton. Hosted by Jane Sly, we take a closer look at maths in the modern, international classroom and discuss topics including project-based learning and common multiplication mistakes.

Join us as our host James Frith sits down with author and teacher trainer, Mike Gershon, and senior commissioning editor Becky Lovell, to discuss all things differentiation. Filled with classroom hints, learning tips and lesson ideas, listen today for new teaching inspiration!