Strength In Numbers Becoming a Responsive Teacher: Lessons Learned, with Mr. Barton Maths
Nov 10, 2025
Craig Barton, maths teacher, author and Head of Education at Eedi, shares classroom-tested tactics. He spotlights mini whiteboards and call-and-respond for quick checks. He breaks down diagnostic multiple-choice questions and the value of common wrong answers. He also explores the pre-test effect, collaborative question writing, and practical CPD to make teaching more responsive.
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Small Samples Mislead Assessment
- Relying on volunteers or single cold-calls gives an unrepresentative picture of class understanding.
- Teachers must gather mass, reliable data to be truly responsive in their instruction.
First Interview Revealed A Blind Spot
- Craig recalled freezing when asked about assessment for learning in his first job interview.
- He later realized formative, low-stakes in-class assessment was essential after years of classroom experience.
Three Fast Ways To Get Classwide Data
- Use mini whiteboards, well-crafted multiple-choice diagnostics, and call-and-respond to get mass participation efficiently.
- These techniques let you gather quick, class-wide data and then act on it immediately.
