Stemiverse 0037 – Dr Marc Noakes on teaching Teachers 

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In this episode, Dr. Peter Dalmaris talks with Dr. Marc Noakes.

Marc earned his Ph.D. in Science on scholarship with the CSIRO, which provided an apprenticeship in research, management, professional communication, and a solid background in the understanding of science. He then undertook a four-year postdoctoral fellowship at Washington State University which enabled him to develop professional communication skills in addition to leadership, management, and ICT skills.

Upon returning to Australia, Marc undertook postgraduate studies in education and gained employment as a high school science teacher. His high school teaching career enabled him to develop quality teaching skills, develop a sound understanding of the 7-10 science curriculum, HSC Biology, HSC Earth and Environmental Science and HSC Senior Science syllabi, and contribute to science curriculum leadership.

As a STEM Specialist Educator and NESA-endorsed professional development provider, Marc works with schools and STEM-related organizations to develop and deliver high-quality teaching and learning programs and resources through curriculum leadership, professional development, mentoring and classroom support.

In our conversation, Marc talks about the disengagement from Science as students grow into adulthood, re-engagement, helping teachers gain confidence in their ability to teach science, misunderstandings around STEM, hands-on learning and collaboration, why being a polymath helps in being a better teacher, and much more.

This is Stemiverse Podcast episode 37.

Stemiverse podcast is brought to you by Tech Explorations, a leading provider of educational resources for Makers, STEM students, and teachers. Go to techexplorations.com to see a complete list of our books and courses covering the Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and electronics.

Show Notes

• [spp-timestamp time=”00:00″] Introduction – Introducing Dr. Marc Noakes
• [spp-timestamp time=”03:23″] Marc is a teacher as well as a teachers’ teacher
• [spp-timestamp time=”05:00″] The enthusiasm of primary school students and how to maintain it
• [spp-timestamp time=”07:03″] Marc talks about his background as a molecular geneticist, what drove him to the teaching profession and how he became an instructor for teachers
• [spp-timestamp time=”11:15″] Why did Marc’s supervisor tell him that he was wasting his time in a lab?
• [spp-timestamp time=”12:31″] Is being a Polymath unusual?
• [spp-timestamp time=”13:28″] “A holistic approach gives students a much better sense of linkage with the real world”
• [spp-timestamp time=”14:26″] Does exposing yourself to different types of knowledge make you a better teacher in general and more specifically a better STEM teacher?
• [spp-timestamp time=”16:36″] Team Building: Knowledge of multiple fields helps communication with a lot of different people
• [spp-timestamp time=”17:31″] Students as teachers/instructors/mentors
• [spp-timestamp time=”17:49″] Project-based Learning: The new HSC Syllabus for High School
• [spp-timestamp time=”18:32″] Interaction between Primary Schools and other institutions – Moving towards being more community integrated
• [spp-timestamp time=”21:07″] Are we re-examining Education from Kindergarten to University?
• [spp-timestamp time=”22:35″] School exists as the way to University – The issue of assessment
• [spp-timestamp time=”24:25″] Portfolio based entry to Universities and the problem of scaling
• [spp-timestamp time=”27:39″] What skills will a today’s 10-year-old need 20 years from now? Communication skills
• [spp-timestamp time=”31:26″] Office software vs. Cloud tools: Is it still necessary to teach IT skills?
• [spp-timestamp time=”33:35″] Are the teachers ready to provide Computer Science and Digital Technology instruction? Courses for teachers at the University of Adelaide
• [spp-timestamp time=”34:32″] Online communication and the limited vocabulary of today’s students
• [spp-timestamp time=”36:22″] Marc’s work as a trainer of teachers
• [spp-timestamp time=”40:42″] Building confidence as a teacher – How a hands-on and collaborative approach helps break down the barrier
• [spp-timestamp time=”44:09″] Going from being a teacher afraid of STEM subjects to engaging the students in a classroom
• [spp-timestamp time=”46:36″] Most typical obstacles to helping teachers overcome their fears
• [spp-timestamp time=”48:16″] Advice for teachers: Don’t hesitate to invite others to come to your class and deliver a unit of work
• [spp-timestamp time=”49:19″] Re-engaging students in science through play and hands-on experience
• [spp-timestamp time=”52:36″] The Art of Teaching
  • [spp-timestamp time=”55:13″] Tinker with your teaching approach
  • [spp-timestamp time=”56:49″] Mentoring or Teaching?
• [spp-timestamp time=”57:24″] The new Art and Science of Teaching, by Robert J. Marzano
• [spp-timestamp time=”57:28″] The Art of Teaching Science, by Grady Venville and Vaille Dawson
• [spp-timestamp time=”57:33″] Book Recommendations by Marc: Teaching Primary Science Constructively, by Keith Skamp, Resources from the National Science Teachers Association
• [spp-timestamp time=”58:41″] Marc’s choice of Productivity Tools: Microsoft Excel, Gantt charts, Google Sheets
• [spp-timestamp time=”01:01:10″] Marc’s sources of information regarding developments in Education: Facebook groups, Literature Research
• [spp-timestamp time=”01:02:35″] Marc’s publications and writings: Refraction Media Blog
• [spp-timestamp time=”01:04:20″] Marc’s Programming Language of choice: Python
• [spp-timestamp time=”01:07:14″] Parting Thoughts and advice for teachers just starting out
• [spp-timestamp time=”01:08:30″] Marc’s Contact Information: Email, Website, Twitter, LinkedIn
• [spp-timestamp time=”01:09:01″] Primary STEM Expo 2018