STEMiverse 0019 - Brian McNally: Thinking While Moving

Welcome to STEMiverse Podcast episode 19!

In this episode, Peter Dalmaris and Little Bird's Marcus talk with Brian McNally!

Brian is a veteran teacher with 23 years of experience.

Brian has moved from Outdoor Education to Primary Physical Education, Secondary Physical Education, IT, Maths and Science. Specialising in Gifted and Talented Education, Brian is now teaching stage 3 students, which is years 5 and 6, on the NSW Central Coast in Australia.

He regularly presents seminars and training events to teachers on topics such as: 
* Thinking while Moving in Mathematics
* Using IT in PE
* Mathematics

These are some of the topics that we will discuss in this podcast.

Brian’s passion is in encouraging students to make links between concepts taught in STEM subjects. By making learning relevant through Pop Culture, his students become actively engaged in their lessons through familiarity with themes common to their generation.

This is STEMiverse Podcast episode 19.

Notes

[00:00] Introduction - Introducing Brian McNally
[01:49] Brian talks about his background
[03:29] Outdoor Education
[05:52] Brian's transition from PE to IT
[06:29] How did Brian learn the IT subjects: Online training with the University
[06:51] How much time did Brian spend in PE before moving to IT?
[09:04] Cross-fertilization between PE and IT
[10:36] Example of cross-fertilization between different subjects
[15:39] Use what the kids are familiar and excited with to teach STEM
[19:33] TV Show ‘Letters and Numbers’ on SBS One
[22:29] Brian's current teaching subject: As a mainstream primary teacher, stage 3, years 5-6, and with a Rich Tasking group, applying Project Based Learning
[23:35] Purpose of the Rich Task group
[29:41] How Brian uses physical movement in STEM education: Thinking while Moving in Maths program, by Dr. Nick Riley, University of Newcastle
[32:13] Benefits of learning Maths while moving: engaging different learning styles
[32:53] Thinking while moving enhances memory or computational process as well?
[33:57] Learning while sedentary vs while moving
[35:04] Applied learning
[38:19] Resources: Videos & Representatives visiting schools
[40:59] Rapid Fire Questions
[41:17] Who has been the most influential in shaping the way you teach: Elaine Johnston, hockey coach
[44:27] Advice to Educators just starting out: Learn along with your students and teach how to learn
[47:03] Brian's Contact Information: Email: brian.mcnally@det.nsw.edu.au