Jarrad Strain
@jstrain.bsky.social
330 followers 240 following 160 posts
Passionate about improving engagement with Mathematics. Labels are complex with roles including Husband, Father, Son, Brother Maths Teacher in Adelaide Head of Maths Role Volunteer with MASA and AAMT
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
jstrain.bsky.social
@nomadpenguin.bsky.social

exploring delegate values vs curriculum perception with @mentimeter.bsky.social

At #MASAConf2025
jstrain.bsky.social
@nomadpenguin.bsky.social
sharing her memories of Carol Moule.
'The funny form of one'
as part of the Carol Moule Keynote Address at #MASAConf2025
jstrain.bsky.social
An idea keeps popping in my mind; FIRE is a good analogy for THINKING. This feels risky, but I'm want to share this idea as a series of posts over the next few weeks. This is a link to my first post, really just setting out the idea and a starting structure.
open.substack.com/pub/jarrad76...
Thinking Analogies
Starting a project to explore an idea.
open.substack.com
jstrain.bsky.social
😉I found the shortcut keys for it....

Feeling like a 🤴
slipping emoji 🖼️ in assessment feedback like a 🥷
when I feel like 🤹‍♂️ but students think I am 🎯

🌞
jstrain.bsky.social
#EduSkyAU

The power of watching and waiting as a tool for teachers is so powerful... it may need later follow up, but let the low level conflict allow for growth!
(Although I don't always do this well 😳)
a woman in a brown tank top has a tattoo on her shoulder that says i love you
ALT: a woman in a brown tank top has a tattoo on her shoulder that says i love you
media.tenor.com
jstrain.bsky.social
A5 #EduSkyAU If Play was a design principle...

🚀School is an adventure!

🧠 Learn by doing, getting hands-on

📚 Flexible curriculum

✅ Creative assessment with games

🤝 Social growth; collaboration & EQ

🔥 Intrinsic motivation

✨ schools as places of wonder & discovery!
amiefabry.bsky.social
Keep the thinking coming...
Here is Question 5: If play were a design principle in schools, what would change?
#EduSkyAU
@eduskyteam.bsky.social
jstrain.bsky.social
A4 #EduSkyAU

I think a key point of play, is that there needs to be some rules. When people are playing with different rules, the games are rarely fun.

I think Innovation is often about working out which rules are helping and which are getting in the way.
amiefabry.bsky.social
OK let's explore some of the possibilities of play...
Question 4: How might playful mindsets unlock innovation and collaboration in education?
#EduSkyAU
@eduskyteam.bsky.social
Reposted by Jarrad Strain
adrianodiprato.bsky.social
A4. Play invites risk, humour, rebellion, delight. These are the raw materials of innovation. A playful mindset doesn’t mean silly. It means serious about exploring the unknown without fear of failure. That’s where collaboration truly catches fire. #EduSkyAU
jstrain.bsky.social
A3 #EduSkyAU

Play can promote engagement, but I think we lose more... Risk Taking, Thinking Skills, Resilience, Communication.

It feels like the idea of "High Challenge with Low Threat" can be explored when we use "Play"
amiefabry.bsky.social
What a great conversation! I could talk about play for hours. Let's turn our focus to play in education. I would love to hear your perspectives on this one…
Question 3: What is lost when we minimise opportunities for play in education?
#EduSkyAU
@eduskyteam.bsky.social
Reposted by Jarrad Strain
adrianodiprato.bsky.social
A3. When we minimise play, we don’t just lose engagement—we amputate wonder. We teach young people that life is a performance, not a process. We risk cultivating perfectionists instead of problem-solvers. Cogs instead of creators. #EduSkyAU
jstrain.bsky.social
A2 #EduSkyAU

Play helps learning (more than Real World Applications in my experience). I feel lots of time is spent trying to find how what we learn applies to post school, but perhaps we would all have more fun and do more learning if we spent that enjoy on promoting play!
amiefabry.bsky.social
Keep the responses coming!
Here is Question 2: Can deep learning happen without play? Why or why not?
#EduSkyAU
@eduskyteam.bsky.social
jstrain.bsky.social
A1 #EduSkyAU What a great question... I try to start each faculty meeting with a game to encourage play and we had a Games night on Friday (but I didn't get there).
BUT I think I need to do more play (Good time for a reminder)!
amiefabry.bsky.social
Ok let's have some fun!
Here is Question 1: When was the last time you played as an adult? What did it feel like?
#EduSkyAU
@eduskyteam.bsky.social
jstrain.bsky.social
I love SpotIt! It is such a fun game!
Reposted by Jarrad Strain
tbrzezinski.bsky.social
Another triangle surprise! youtube.com/shorts/n7HZz... #math #mathteacher #geometry #edusky
jstrain.bsky.social
Congratulations Antony Green on being such a great communicator and balanced member of the Australian political process.

Such a class act! #AusPol #AusVotes
jstrain.bsky.social
That is a nice quote @mbennettcoach.bsky.social

Stay curious is almost always good stance (unless you are a feline)
jstrain.bsky.social
@mbennettcoach.bsky.social

It has been a while since I talked about Reflective Dialogue, I needed to look up the definition and I have come across "Dialogic reflection" ... hmm this may be a rabbit hole for another time....

openpress.sussex.ac.uk/ideasforacti...

#EduSkyAU
a cartoon of alice from alice in wonderland with the words " and it begins " below her
Alt: a cartoon of alice from alice in wonderland with the words " and it begins " below her
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jstrain.bsky.social
NUMBER TALKS ARE MY JAM!

When a teacher sees students engaging with them, and they vibe with it - oohhh my heart just sings!
#EduSkyAU
a man with a beard wearing a hat says oh yeah , that 's my jam
Alt: a man with a beard wearing a hat says oh yeah , that 's my jam
media.tenor.com
jstrain.bsky.social
#EduSkyAU

The best coaching conversations seems to be from geniune curiosity - which can benefit both/all parties.
jstrain.bsky.social
A2 #EduSkyAU

Education does quite well with coaching when PST work with a Mentor. I have seen some huge growth in PST I have mentored. Ability to take on advice is one of the most important characteristics of a PST IMO
jstrain.bsky.social
Dealing with tough conversations can be so tricky - but particularly early in a career the coaching of leaders is SO IMPORTANT!

#EduSkyAU
p.j. fleck named head football coach is on the screen
Alt: p.j. fleck named head football coach is on the screen
media.tenor.com
jstrain.bsky.social
A1 #EduSkyAU
In my first job I had a very capable Head of Faculty. He did some really impactful practices. One was to nominate me for a few awards, which opened my awareness to wider opportunities (whereas I woudl otherwise have remained isolated in the school)