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Podcast: The IDEMS Podcast

  • 294 – Reflections on Climate Data Rescue

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    Santiago Borio

    James and David reflect on their experiences supporting climate data rescue across several countries. They discuss why preserving historical climate records is increasingly important for understanding a changing climate, and why rescuing data is only truly valuable when it can be put to use, exploring what it takes to bridge the gap between data rescue…

  • 293 – The Problem of Zeros in Data

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    Santiago Borio

    Continuing their reflections on 20 years of research methods support, Lily and Roger explore the often-overlooked problem of zeros in real data. Through examples from agricultural research, they discuss why understanding what zeros represent can change how data is summarised and reveal important patterns that might otherwise be missed.

  • 292 – Integrating STACK Assessment into Open Statistics Textbooks

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    Santiago Borio

    Santiago and David discuss recent progress towards integrating STACK assessment into IDEMS’ open statistics textbooks. They explore how AI is helping match existing questions to textbook content, the work involved in adapting and improving those questions, and how richer forms of assessment can help students develop a deeper understanding of statistical concepts.

  • 291 – Understanding Multilevel Data Through Context

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    Santiago Borio

    Continuing their reflections on 20 years of research methods support, David and Lily explore multilevel data through examples from agricultural research in West Africa. They discuss how identifying the right levels can help account for variability and reveal important differences that might otherwise be missed.

  • 290 – Understanding Statistical Interactions Through Context

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    Santiago Borio

    Continuing their reflections on 20 years of research methods support, David and Lily explore statistical interactions through a striking example from agricultural research in West Africa. They discuss how interactions can reveal the importance of context, and how understanding local practices can challenge research assumptions and lead to more relevant research.

  • 289 – The Story Behind Explore, Describe, Present

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    Santiago Borio

    David and Lily reflect on how the Explore, Describe, Present framing emerged through years of research methods support with the West African Community of Practice. They discuss how long-term collaboration helped develop a simple language for thinking about the different roles of data visualisation, including the importance of understanding your audience when presenting results.

  • 288 – Putting Our Open Textbook Vision to the Test – Lessons from the STACK Conference

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    Santiago Borio

    Following the first STACK Conference to be held in Africa, David and Kate reflect on what the event revealed about IDEMS’ vision for open textbooks. They discuss growing interest in adapting the approach across different African contexts, and explore the importance of local ownership, collaboration, and working with existing education systems to bring open resources…

  • 287 – Putting Our Open Textbook Vision to the Test – Lessons from ICOTS

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    Santiago Borio

    Following the International Conference on Teaching Statistics (ICOTS), David and Kate reflect on how IDEMS’ vision for open textbooks was received by the statistics education community. They explore how rapid developments in AI are changing what students need to learn, and why adaptable resources, carefully designed assessment, and meaningful human decision-making are becoming increasingly important.…

  • 286 – Rethinking Mathematics Education in Kenya – An Interview with Mike Obiero

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    Santiago Borio

    David and Mike reflect on a period of change and opportunity for mathematics education in Kenya. They discuss the upcoming launch of a new MSc in Mathematical Innovation, lessons from bringing open textbooks into classrooms, and the importance of putting teachers at the centre of educational innovation. Recorded just before the first STACK Conference to…

  • 285 – ICOTS 3 – Building Communities Around Open Textbooks

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    Santiago Borio

    In the final episode of this three-part series reflecting on the International Conference on Teaching Statistics (ICOTS), David and Lily discuss the reception of IDEMS’ open textbook initiative within the statistics education community. They explore how new approaches to adaptation, accreditation, and collaboration could strengthen open educational resources, enabling communities to build on one another’s…