Posts tagged podcast
Inclusive Practices at Their Best! Roundtable on Explicit Instruction

Frojd’s Toolbox, Avsnitt 65, 9 October 2025, with Carl Hendrick, Nidhi Sachdeva, Nathaniel Swain, and Pritesh Raichura

Join this dynamic, thought-provoking roundtable where four international experts unpack how explicit instruction can level the playing field and ensure that every student—regardless of background—has access to the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.

Together, they explore:

  • What defines effective explicit instruction—and what common practices miss the mark

  • Barriers teachers face in implementing it well

  • The most persistent misconceptions and how to move beyond them

Each speaker brings a unique lens—from research to classroom practice—creating a rich, energizing discussion full of insight and challenge. The chemistry and clarity of thought among the panelists make this an episode that flies by and stays with you long after it ends.

If you’re passionate about reaching every student in your classroom, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss—a powerful blend of learning, reflection, and inspiration.

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Dr Nathaniel Swain: How do we harness the science of learning?

The Art of Teaching, Episode 228, 4 October 2025, with Matthew Green

Today I’m joined by Dr Nathaniel Swain - a teacher, instructional coach, researcher and writer with a deep passion for language, literacy and learning. Nathaniel is dedicated to helping teachers create effective and engaging learning for every student. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Learning Sciences and Learner Engagement at La Trobe University’s School of Education.

He is also the founder of Think Forward Educators, a community of teachers and education professionals committed to the Science of Learning. Most recently, Nathaniel has authored Harnessing the Science of Learning — a practical guide for teachers and school leaders that distils key insights from research into clear, actionable strategies to drive school improvement.

In this conversation, we’ll explore his journey, the ideas behind his book, and how schools can harness the science of learning to transform teaching and student outcomes.

Here are a few useful links: 

https://luminary.nathanielswain.com/

https://www.nathanielswain.com/cognitoriumblog/2024/7/canvas-for-thought

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Implementing impactful paired reading sessions in your classroom

Oxford University Press, Essential Letters and Sound Australia (ELSA) 28 August 2025, with Dr Nathaniel Swain

This session focuses on designing paired reading routines that reinforce decoding and fluency. Dr. Swain highlights how structured paired fluency—supported by clear routines—can promote reading accuracy, prosody, and reading volume in your literacy block. The webinar covers how to pair students effectively, scaffold practice with decodable or appropriately challenging texts, and ensure meaningful corrective feedback. Practical classroom examples and implementation tips are provided to make paired reading a high-impact, low-preparation routine. Dr Swain showcases the ELSA Phonic Readers, a brand-new, fully decodable series complete with engaging fiction and non-fiction stories, aligned to the Letters and Sounds sequence.

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Dr Nathaniel Swain, How do I know if I'm teaching too much phonics

Read Ballarat, 31 July 2025, with Dr Nathaniel Swain

How do I know if I’m teaching too much phonics? Scopes and sequences, decodables and the self-teaching hypothesis. Nathaniel will explore the tension between systematic phonics teaching and Seidenberg’s advocacy of just enough instruction but no more. We will discuss how more instructional time may be better directed to orthographic, morphological and text-level teaching, as well as the challenge of knowing when to expose students to uncontrolled text in addition to decodables, within the realities of the classroom

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Empowering Educators: A Conversation with Dr. Nathaniel Swain

On the Road to Literacy Success, Season 2, Episode 1, 24 July 2025, with Dr Staci Bain

Season Two kicks off with a powerful and thought-provoking conversation between Dr. Staci Bain and returning guest Dr. Nathaniel Swain. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of literacy education, from supporting new teachers and principals to building strong Tier 1 systems that help every student thrive.

Dr. Swain shares practical strategies for whole-class teaching, insights on reducing cognitive load, and reflections on balancing professional life with parenthood. He also introduces his new book, Harnessing the Science of Learning—a must-read for educators looking to simplify and strengthen their teaching practice.

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Nathaniel Swain: The Science of Learning Every Teacher Needs to Know

Behind the Educator’s Lens, 21 July 2025, with Robyn Young

What if the secret to more effective teaching isn’t more effort, but a better understanding of how learning actually works? In this episode of Behind the Educator’s Lens, I sit down with Dr. Nathaniel Swain to explore the powerful principles behind the Science of Learning—and how they can transform your classroom.

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The Science of Learning: Do's and Don't of Math Education

Made for Math: Unlocking Dyscalculia Podcast, Episode 29, June 24, 2025, with Adrianne Meldrum

In the Made for Math podcast episode “The Science of Learning: Do’s and Don’ts of Math Education,” CEO Adrianne Meldrum interviews Dr. Nathaniel Swain, an educator and author of Harnessing the Science of Learning. Dr. Swain discusses how his background in Japanese linguistics shaped his understanding of the role of language in mathematics instruction. He emphasizes that math is a language requiring explicit teaching of its vocabulary and structures. To support students, especially those with language-based learning difficulties, Dr. Swain advocates for strategies like retrieval practice, interleaving, and reducing cognitive load. He also highlights the importance of using multisensory tools to connect abstract concepts to tangible experiences, thereby enhancing comprehension and retention. The conversation underscores the need for structured, language-aware, and cognitively informed approaches to math education. (madeformath.com)

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Reducing student cognitive load to allow for greater focus on new learning

ELSA, Applying the Science of Reading in your classroom Webinar Series, 23 June 2025, with Dr Nathaniel Swain

In this webinar, Dr. Nathaniel Swain outlines how cognitive load theory can directly inform reading instruction. He explains the importance of automating decoding skills to free up working memory for comprehension and new content. Key strategies include explicit instruction in phonics, repeated practice with decodable texts, and minimizing unnecessary classroom distractions.

Dr. Swain also demonstrates how reducing split attention and simplifying your instructional routines supports novice readers in mastering foundational skills more efficiently.

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The Truth Behind Learning

Amplify, Season 9, Special Episode, with Nathaniel Swain

In this episode of Science of Reading: The Podcast, Susan Lambert is joined by Nathaniel Swain, Ph.D. He’s a teacher, instructional coach, and author of the recent book Harnessing the Science of Learning: Success Stories to Help Kickstart Your School Improvement. Emphasizing the science of learning as an ever-growing resource for updating instruction practices, he provides a comprehensive look at how knowledge powers learning, how to identify knowledge-rich curricula, how cognitive load affects learning, and how to understand several common learning misconceptions.

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Phenomenal Conversations W/Mr. Short: Dr. Nathaniel Swain

The Phenomenal Student Podcast, Season 4, Episode 12, with Mr Short

Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to speak with Dr. Nathaniel Swain about his inspiring and unconventional journey in education. In this episode, we dive into:
✅ His unexpected start in the classroom
✅ The winding road to becoming a researcher
✅ The powerful insights behind his new book: Harnessing the Science of Learning

Dr. Swain brings a wealth of knowledge and clarity to the conversation around how we teach and how students truly learn.

📘 Check out his book here: Harnessing the Science of Learning

🎧 Tune in to the episode and let me know what you think. Your feedback means everything!

Be Phenomenal,

Mr. Short

#PhenomenalStudentPodcast #ScienceOfLearning #DrNathanielSwain #EducationMatters #BePhenomenal

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S3|E1: Harnessing the Science of Learning with Dr Nathaniel Swain

Teacher Insights from Catalyst, Season 3, Episode 1, with Nathaniel Swain

In this episode, Dr Nathaniel Swain talks about:

  • Today’s educational landscape

  • His classroom experiences and how teachers can leverage the Science of Learning fundamentals for success

  • How educators can strike the right balance between direct instruction and inquiry-based learning in a way that aligns with cognitive science

  • What makes feedback effective for learning, and some of the common mistakes teachers make when giving feedback

  • His new book Harnessing the Science of Learning

  • His charity Think forward Educators

This is a fascinating listen for both those well-versed in the Science of Learning and those eager to learn more.

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The Key Components of Systematic Synthetic Phonics

ELSA, Applying the Science of Reading in your classroom Webinar Series, with Dr Nathaniel Swain

This webinar will explores the essential components of systematic synthetic phonics. Key areas of focus include the importance of phonemic awareness, developing code knowledge, and mastering the blending and segmenting of increasingly complex words—from short vowels to more advanced patterns involving consonant clusters and longer vowel combinations.

Additionally, the session explores strategies for teaching irregular high-frequency words effectively. Dr Swain highlights the value of clear teaching routines, a well-structured scope and sequence, opportunities to respond, and regular checks for understanding to ensure all learners are supported.

This webinar is the first in a series of four, 'Applying the Science of Reading in your classroom.'

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Dr Swain and the Brain

The Community Connection Podcast, February 6, 2025, with Nathaniel Provencio and co-host Dr. Eric Worcester

In this episode of The Community Connection, we sit down with Dr. Nathaniel Swain, author of Harnessing the Science of Learning: Success Stories to Help Kickstart Your School Improvement. Dr. Swain, a leading expert in learning sciences, shares insights on bridging research and practice to enhance teaching and student outcomes. We explore key strategies from his book, real-world success stories, and how educators can apply cognitive science to transform their classrooms. Don’t miss this engaging conversation on the power of evidence-based teaching!

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How to Guarantee you are using a Deep Knowledge Curriculum

Have a Life Teaching Podcast, February 4, 2025, with John Schembari

In some schools, curriculum is prescribed. In other places, teachers put together their own learning materials.

In either case, how do we know that what we are providing students, in terms of materials and content, will promote learning acquisition, extend thinking, and foster creativity? How do we know that it aligns with the science of learning?

In this episode, my guest Nathanial Swain, professor of teaching at La Trobe University and author of the book "Harnassing the Science of Learning", discuss the elements that should be in any knowledge rich curriculum.

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Prioritising What Matters: A Deep Dive into the Science of Learning

Knowledge for Teachers Podcast, Season 2, Episode 21, November 17, 2024, with Brendan Lee

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Nathaniel Swain. He returns for the third time and this time it’s to unpack his new book Harnessing the Science of Learning. However, as you will hear, they actually go beyond the book and dig into some of the critical considerations that schools and teachers need to be making. They explore how to make teaching and learning the top priority in your school, reclaiming valuable instructional time often lost to distractions. They also unpack the essential elements of effective literacy and numeracy instruction, going beyond the surface level to understand the importance of a knowledge-rich curriculum, explicit teaching techniques, and structured implementation processes.

They look at why teaching should be “Fun in the service of learning, not in spite of Learning” and some of the common barriers that school leaders face when initiating change.

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Nathaniel Swain, Steven Capp, and Katie Roberts-Hull on Harnessing the Science of Learning

Progressively Incorrect, Season 4, Episode 10, November 17, 2024, with Zach Groshell, PhD

This episode is a conversation between me and three amazing educators who are making inroads to bring the science of learning to schools across Australia. Most excitingly, we are all contributing authors to the book, Harnessing the Science of Learning by Nathaniel Swain, who, of course, is on the show today and has been on the show before.

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Bonus: Harnessing the Science of Learning

Melissa and Lori Love Literacy Podcast, Bonus Episode, November 5, 2024, with Melissa and Lori

The science of learning is what research says about how our brains learn. 
In this episode, Nathaniel Swain discusses the science of learning, emphasizing its connection with the science of reading. 

 He shares:

  • key mindset shifts for teachers

  • the significance of coherent curriculum planning

  • practical strategies like using mini whiteboards and advanced organizers to enhance student engagement and understanding

He also highlights the need for responsive whole-class instruction and the importance of closing learning gaps early in students' educational journeys.

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