Programme 316, Alf Coles, part 2 (14-2-18)

Presented and produced by Seán Delaney.

This week I conclude my interview with Dr. Alf Coles from the School of Education at the University of Bristol. Among the topics we discuss this week are:

• Planning for the unexpected in mathematics classes


• His work with the charity “Five by Five by Five Equals Creativity”


• Using Cuisenaire rods and a tens chart to teach mathematics


• How the number naming system in the English language makes learning mathematics more difficult and what you can do about it


• Using the tens chart to teach decimals


• How our current curriculum limits children’s understanding of number


• Creativity in primary school mathematics


• What inspires him


• Whose work in education he likes to read


• What he would change about his current institution


• How his own schooling influences his practice in education today