Jones & McLean

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1. On slides from Jones & McLean, opens in a new tab

   Sep 13, 202640 min

   Episode 2: On slides Slides appear to have become a common tool for teaching — but when are they genuinely useful, and when might a different resource be required? In this episode, we take a closer look at slide decks. We explore the things slides can do particularly well: supporting fast-paced review, vocabulary instruction, visual representations and pre-planned checks for understanding. But we also look at the risks. What happens when the slide deck becomes the curriculum — or the plan itself? Does giving every teacher the same deck really create consistency? And what gets lost when static slides replace live modelling, rich texts, concrete materials or interactions with students? In this episode When slides are a genuinely useful instructional tool Why shared slide decks can be helpful for large teaching teams Why slides shouldn’t become the plan The difference between consistency of resource and consistency of instruction Why “low variance” slide decks don’t necessarily produce low-variance teaching The importance of choosing resources that suit the subject and the learning One Good Woman: Ruth Ashbee This episode’s One Good Woman is Ruth Ashbee, teacher, school leader and author of Curriculum: Theory, Culture and the Subject Specialisms. We discuss Ruth’s work on curriculum, knowledge and subject disciplines — and particularly the importance of thinking carefully about how curriculum and its resources work differently across subject areas. Ruth Ashbee — Curriculum: Theory, Culture and the Subject Specialisms Read more about the book at Routledge Research mentioned in this episode Does teaching with PowerPoint increase students’ learning? Baker, J. P., Goodboy, A. K., Bowman, N. D., & Wright, A. A. (2018). Does teaching with PowerPoint increase students’ learning? A meta-analysis. Computers & Education, 126, 376–387. Read the study This meta-analysis brought together 48 studies conducted over 22 years. Overall, students taught with PowerPoint did not demonstrate greater cognitive learning than students taught using traditional approaches. The authors argue that the more useful question is not simply whether PowerPoint is used, but how it is integrated into teaching to support learning. Also mentioned Next Steps in Responsive Teaching A digital masterclass with Bron 27 January 2027 | 9.30am–1.30pm Register here Heavy is the English Head There are new eps coming soon on Emina’s other podcast. Heavy is the English Head Get in touch If you’re enjoying Jones & McLean, we’d love you to follow the podcast and leave us a rating or review. Get in touch at jonesmcleanpod@gmail.com

2. On teachers from Jones & McLean, opens in a new tab

   Aug 21, 202632 min

   Episode 1: On teachers For our first episode, we’re starting with the people at the heart of education: teachers. We unpack the complexity of teachers’ work — the relentless decision-making, trade-offs and problem-solving that happen every day in classrooms — and ask why this complexity is so often underestimated by people outside schools. We also take on the idea that teachers are “resistant to change”. What if resistance is sometimes reasonable scepticism, professional judgement, or an important signal that leaders should pay attention to? Along the way, we talk about the surprisingly solitary nature of teaching, why building deep professional knowledge matters more than searching for quick fixes, and why we need to better value the wisdom and experience of teachers who have been in the profession for decades. Plus, we introduce our regular segment “One Good Woman”, celebrating a woman in education whose work we think you should know. In this episode Why teaching is such complex and relentless work The constant decisions and trade-offs teachers make in real classrooms The surprisingly solitary nature of classroom teaching Why teachers receive so little positive feedback on their practice The value of video models and opportunities to observe other teachers Rethinking the idea that teachers are resistant to change Listening for the “signal” when teachers push back Valuing the knowledge and wisdom of our most experienced teachers Links & things we mention Tasmania's Lifting Literacy work Emina talks about her work supporting the implementation of Tasmania's Lifting Literacy reforms. Lifting Literacy — Tasmania DECYP Effective teacher professional development — Sam Sims and colleagues We refer to the work of Sam Sims and colleagues on the mechanisms of effective professional development, including developing insight, building motivation, developing techniques and embedding practice. Effective Teacher Professional Development: New Theory and a Meta-Analytic Test Victorian Education Excellence Awards Bron talks about judging the Victorian Education Excellence Awards, and our One Good Woman, Alice Jury, was the 2025 Outstanding Primary Teacher. Victorian Education Excellence Awards Heavy is the English Head Emina's podcast about the nitty-gritty of leadership in English and literacy. Alice Jury features in Episode 2. Heavy is the English Head — Emina McLean Realising Responsive Teaching — 12 February 2027 Bron is hosting an in-person conference in Melbourne, focused on the nitty-gritty of classroom practice and implementation. The event is currently sold out, with a waitlist open while we explore releasing additional tickets. Realising Responsive Teaching — Event information Get in touch Have an observation, question or issue in education you'd like us to explore? We'd love to hear from you at jonesmcleanpod@gmail.com