Is The 'What & How' We Teach Math All Wrong?

Is The 'What & How' We Teach Math All Wrong?

Author: ThoughtStretchers Education April 24, 2026 Duration: 1:08:38

Drew Perkins welcomes back Ted Dintersmith to discuss the urgent need to move away from an education system obsessed with standardized testing and toward one that empowers students to do real, meaningful work. In his new book, Aftermath, and documentary, Multiple Choice, Dintersmith argues that our current system is "perfectly designed" to produce results that are increasingly irrelevant in an age of AI and automation.

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A significant portion of this conversation focuses on Ted's critique of the traditional math "treadmill." Drawing from his new book, Ted explores the "What and How" of teaching math. He argues that the current "What"—a heavy focus on symbolic manipulation and rote procedures—is largely obsolete.

Regarding the "How," Ted shares inspiring examples of teachers who have moved toward Project-Based Learning kind of instruction. He describes classrooms where math is taught through real-world applications—like analyzing local economic trends—where learning happens through trial, error, and collaborative inquiry. By centering math on student agency, Ted argues we can move from "math trauma" to empowering students to solve complex, non-routine problems.

Timestamped Episode Timeline

  • [00:04:15] Introduction to Ted Dintersmith – From venture capital to a 50-state tour investigating the future of education.
  • [00:09:30] The Flaw in the System – Why our schools are designed for a world that no longer exists.
  • [00:15:45] The Math Treadmill – Ted breaks down why our current math curriculum is a "filter" rather than a foundation.
  • [00:22:10] The "What" of Math – Shifting from symbolic manipulation to data literacy and quantitative reasoning.
  • [00:28:40] The "How" of Math – Using real-world problems to teach mathematical thinking instead of rote procedures.
  • [00:35:15] The Impact of AI – How generative AI makes the "calculational" aspect of math a commodity.
  • [00:43:05] Defining PEAK Learning – Breaking down Purpose, Essential Skills, Agency, and Knowledge.
  • [00:52:20] Performance-Based Assessment – Moving toward portfolios and "defense of learning" models.
  • [01:05:30] Advice for Parents – How to advocate for a more meaningful educational experience for your children.
  • [01:12:45] Closing Remarks – Where to find Ted's books and follow his ongoing work in school reform.

Hosted by ThoughtStretchers Education, The ThoughtStretchers Podcast is built on the belief that the best teaching emerges from genuine dialogue and challenging questions. This isn't about quick tips or superficial trends. Instead, each episode engages in the kind of dialectic conversations that push beyond comfortable assumptions, examining the foundational ideas and complex issues that shape modern learning environments. You'll hear deep, often meandering discussions that probe the "why" behind educational practices, fostering a space for intellectual rigor rarely found in typical professional development. Tuning into this podcast feels like sitting in on a thoughtful, sometimes provocative, roundtable where curiosity is the primary curriculum. It’s for educators who find energy in debate and refinement of thought, who believe that strengthening their own intellectual framework is the first step toward nurturing it in others. The dialogue here is designed to stretch your perspective on pedagogy, curriculum, and the very purpose of education, making it a sustained exercise in professional growth. If you’re looking to engage with education on a more philosophical and principled level, these conversations offer a compelling and substantive resource.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

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