---
title: A Broader Approach to Academic Discourse
description: On the latest episode of the podcast, MIND's Brandon Smith joins Brian for a conversation about academic discourse. They talk about going beyond the standard requirements using a more holistic approach to communication and problem solving.
image: https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/social-suggested-images/blog.mindresearch.orghubfssocial-suggested-imagesinside-our-mind-blog-header-1200x800-2-3-4.png
---

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# A Broader Approach to Academic Discourse

By [Brian LeTendre](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/author/brian-letendre)

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In each episode of the Inside Our MIND podcast, we take a look at issues and challenges facing education that we are working to address through research, technology and strategic initiatives.

In our latest episode, Brian welcomes Lead Mathematician and Product Director Brandon Smith back to the podcast for a conversation about academic discourse. They talk about how academic discourse in math goes far beyond the standard requirements of constructing arguments and critiquing reasoning. By taking a more holistic approach, teachers can create opportunities for academic discourse throughout the learning process, and support students’ natural curiosity in ways that lead to deeper understanding.   

> There's more to academic discourse if you look at it from a human standpoint.
> 
>  -Brandon Smith, MIND Research Institute

You can listen to the episode in the player below:

Topics Covered:  
0:45 Intro  
2:30 Going Beyond the Standards  
5:00 Communication as a Human Endeavor  
8:00 Content vs. How We Learn  
10:50 Communicating with the Intent to Learn  
14:00 Engaging When We Don’t have an Answer  
19:00 Putting Focus on Process vs. Product  
30:30 Multiple Modalities of Communication

Thanks for listening to the podcast! Please leave us a review on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker or wherever you are listening to the show. Subscribe to get future episodes as soon as they are released!  

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#### Additional Resources

[A Math Class Structure that Fosters Conceptual Learning](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/math-class-structure-conceptual-learning)  
[Re-imagining Storytelling to Connect Math, Games and History](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/storytelling-math-games-history)  
[Using ST Math for Test Prep](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/st-math-for-test-prep)

![Brian LeTendre](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/brian-letendre-headshot-305761-edited.png)

### About the Author

Brian LeTendre was the Director of Impact Advancement at MIND Research Institute. In addition to building thought leadership and brand awareness for MIND, Brian worked cross-functionally internally and externally to amplify MIND's social impact and accelerate our mission. He is an author, podcaster and avid gamer.

### Comment

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