Just Thinking

Just Thinking: How Visual Tools and AI Can Unlock Critical Thinking in Education

critical thinking in education

Education is at a crossroads. Artificial intelligence is transforming classrooms, but educators still lack tools to assess and nurture how students think. A 2023 UNESCO report warned that without careful implementation, AI could reinforce existing inequalities in education unless paired with strategies that build critical thinking and support equity-centered instruction. The stakes are high…

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Education & EdTech
Just Thinking… From Classrooms to Communities, Active Engagement Drives Real Results

Across the country, school districts are searching for sustainable ways to foster equity, achievement, and connection in diverse communities. Amid rapid change in technology and teaching methods, one practice remains consistently vital: active engagement. Research indicates that parental involvement—a crucial component of meaningful engagement—is a significant predictor of student success. According to the National…

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Education & EdTech
JUST THINKING… About Artificial Intelligence vs. Human Intelligence with Dr. Michael Harvey

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve at lightning speed, the conversation is shifting from what AI can do to what it should do—and how it compares with, or complements, the uniquely human traits we bring to learning, work, and society. While schools grapple with AI’s integration into classrooms, some educators are asking a deeper question:…

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Articles Education Technology
Just Thinking… about Reimagining Education for the AI Era with the Human Intelligence Movement

As artificial intelligence reshapes education, work, and daily life, educators are grappling with how to prepare students for a future where human skills—not just knowledge—will be paramount. In fact, a growing number of reports highlight that employers increasingly value collaboration, communication, and emotional intelligence over memorized content. Amid this transformation, the Human Intelligence Movement…

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Education & EdTech
Just Thinking… About the Role of Marketing, Advocacy & Storytelling in Holistic Education

As schools increasingly prioritize holistic education, the conversation around whole-child development is gaining momentum. A national survey by the American Institutes for Research reveals that while a large majority of teachers support whole-child approaches, many still need additional guidance and resources to implement them effectively. This gap between belief and practice raises important questions about how best to…

Read More
Education & EdTech
Just Thinking… About Why Self-Work Is the Foundation of Great Leadership

As conversations around workplace wellness, mental health, and burnout intensify across industries, many professionals are waking up to the reality that productivity and personal growth must go hand-in-hand. The rise of holistic health coaching, combined with a renewed focus on emotional intelligence in leadership, reflects a larger cultural shift: we’re not just working anymore—we’re…

Read More
Education & EdTech
Funding Crisis Hits California’s Rural Schools: Advocates Call for Action Now!

As federal funding hangs in the balance, California’s rural school districts face a stark challenge on how to maintain essential services amid the uncertain future of the Secure Rural Schools Act. Originally established to offset declines in timber revenue from federal lands, the Act has become a lifeline for hundreds of districts. But after…

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human-centered
How Human-Centered Design Led to a Startup Accelerator for Education: A Conversation with Transcend Network’s Co-founder Michael Narea
June 20, 2025

The convergence of human-centered design and education innovation is reshaping how edtech ventures emerge and scale. As AI enables hyper-efficiency and bootstrapped entrepreneurship becomes more viable, the real differentiator is empathy—founders who listen deeply to users before building solutions. A McKinsey study of 300 public companies found that design-led organizations significantly outperformed their peers, with…

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care navigation
AI-Powered Care Navigation Reduces Healthcare Spend and Improves Patient Access
June 20, 2025

The U.S. healthcare system is strained by rising costs, uneven quality, and fragmented care navigation. Employers are bearing the brunt, spending more without always securing better care for their teams. According to the RAND Corporation, one effective strategy is to “change their network and benefit designs to encourage patients to use lower‑priced, higher‑value providers…

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edge computing
Building the Wireless Future: Low-Power IoT, Edge Computing, and the End of the Gs
June 19, 2025

As the global race to 6G heats up, telecom providers, governments, and tech companies are investing billions to advance the next generation of hyperconnected infrastructure. European operators urge regulators to release more spectrum to stay competitive, while U.S. programs like the USDA’s ReConnect have funneled over $1 billion into rural fiber backhaul. Meanwhile, companies like…

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healthcare operations
Healthcare Operations Improve with AI That Unites Data, Automation, and Ethics
June 18, 2025

Generative AI has captured the public imagination, but its most transformative use cases may lie far from flashy consumer tools. In healthcare operations, where complexity, inefficiency, and fragmentation remain persistent challenges, AI is now driving measurable improvements. Research suggests AI-enabled healthcare systems could cut administrative costs by up to $360 billion in the U.S. alone….

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Latest Just Thinking -Videos

critical thinking in education
Education & EdTech
Just Thinking: How Visual Tools and AI Can Unlock Critical Thinking in Education
June 4, 2025

Education is at a crossroads. Artificial intelligence is transforming classrooms, but educators still lack tools to assess and nurture how students think. A 2023 UNESCO report warned that without careful implementation, AI could reinforce existing inequalities in education unless paired with strategies that build critical thinking and support equity-centered instruction. The stakes are high…

Read More
Just Thinking… From Classrooms to Communities, Active Engagement Drives Real Results

Across the country, school districts are searching for sustainable ways to foster equity, achievement, and connection in diverse communities. Amid rapid change in technology and teaching methods, one practice remains consistently vital: active engagement. Research indicates that parental involvement—a crucial component of meaningful engagement—is a significant predictor of student success. According to the National…

Read More
JUST THINKING… About Artificial Intelligence vs. Human Intelligence with Dr. Michael Harvey

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve at lightning speed, the conversation is shifting from what AI can do to what it should do—and how it compares with, or complements, the uniquely human traits we bring to learning, work, and society. While schools grapple with AI’s integration into classrooms, some educators are asking a deeper question:…

Read More
Just Thinking… about Reimagining Education for the AI Era with the Human Intelligence Movement

As artificial intelligence reshapes education, work, and daily life, educators are grappling with how to prepare students for a future where human skills—not just knowledge—will be paramount. In fact, a growing number of reports highlight that employers increasingly value collaboration, communication, and emotional intelligence over memorized content. Amid this transformation, the Human Intelligence Movement…

Read More
Holistic education
Education & EdTech
Just Thinking… About the Role of Marketing, Advocacy & Storytelling in Holistic Education
April 15, 2025

As schools increasingly prioritize holistic education, the conversation around whole-child development is gaining momentum. A national survey by the American Institutes for Research reveals that while a large majority of teachers support whole-child approaches, many still need additional guidance and resources to implement them effectively. This gap between belief and practice raises important questions about how best to…

Read More
Just Thinking… About Why Self-Work Is the Foundation of Great Leadership

As conversations around workplace wellness, mental health, and burnout intensify across industries, many professionals are waking up to the reality that productivity and personal growth must go hand-in-hand. The rise of holistic health coaching, combined with a renewed focus on emotional intelligence in leadership, reflects a larger cultural shift: we’re not just working anymore—we’re…

Read More
Funding Crisis Hits California’s Rural Schools: Advocates Call for Action Now!

As federal funding hangs in the balance, California’s rural school districts face a stark challenge on how to maintain essential services amid the uncertain future of the Secure Rural Schools Act. Originally established to offset declines in timber revenue from federal lands, the Act has become a lifeline for hundreds of districts. But after…

Read More
The Future of Education Technology Relies on Responsible Technology Use

Education technology is currently at a critical standpoint. While schools are increasingly integrating digital tools into learning, there’s also a growing awareness highlighting the amount of screen time students are exposed to with a possible solution of removing technology from classrooms. Per a 2022 study by JAMA Network, the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the time…

Read More
Skilled trade professionals
Articles Education Technology
Just Thinking… About Developing the Next Generation of Skilled Trade Professionals with Josh Nieves
February 19, 2025

The skilled trades industry is at a crossroads. With a growing labor shortage and an aging workforce, industries like construction and electrical work face urgent challenges in attracting and developing new talent. While the demand for skilled trade professionals is expected to continue rising, many young people remain unaware of the career opportunities available…

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JUST THINKING… about CCMR with a Focus on Military Readiness

The role of education in shaping military readiness is often overlooked, yet its impact on future generations is profound. As artificial intelligence reshapes how we think about career readiness, discussions on College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) highlight the pressing need for holistic preparation. While college and career pathways often dominate these conversations, military…

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Just Thinking… About Breaking Educator Isolation Through Trust and Collaboration

Education stands at a pivotal moment. Rapid societal changes and evolving student needs are challenging traditional school structures. Teachers are facing significant stress, with 44% of K–12 educators reporting burnout “often” or “always,” according to a Gallup survey. Feelings of isolation among educators further compound these challenges, emphasizing the need for more connected and…

Read More
Just Thinking…How Networking, Advocacy and Innovation Fuels Success in Small School Districts

In today’s evolving educational landscape, small school districts face unique challenges, especially in rural areas. From limited staffing to navigating red tape, these districts must balance providing quality education with overcoming systemic barriers. With nearly 69% of California’s school districts serving fewer than 5,000 students, finding sustainable solutions for these challenges has become critical….

Read More
Other Just Thinking
The Future of Education Technology Relies on Responsible Technology Use
February 25, 2025

Education technology is currently at a critical standpoint. While schools are increasingly integrating digital tools into learning, there’s also a growing awareness highlighting the amount of screen time students are exposed to with a possible solution of removing technology from classrooms. Per a 2022 study by JAMA Network, the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the time…

Read More
Just Thinking… About Developing the Next Generation of Skilled Trade Professionals with Josh Nieves
February 19, 2025

The skilled trades industry is at a crossroads. With a growing labor shortage and an aging workforce, industries like construction and electrical work face urgent challenges in attracting and developing new talent. While the demand for skilled trade professionals is expected to continue rising, many young people remain unaware of the career opportunities available…

Read More
JUST THINKING… about CCMR with a Focus on Military Readiness
January 23, 2025

The role of education in shaping military readiness is often overlooked, yet its impact on future generations is profound. As artificial intelligence reshapes how we think about career readiness, discussions on College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) highlight the pressing need for holistic preparation. While college and career pathways often dominate these conversations, military…

Read More
Just Thinking… About Breaking Educator Isolation Through Trust and Collaboration
January 16, 2025

Education stands at a pivotal moment. Rapid societal changes and evolving student needs are challenging traditional school structures. Teachers are facing significant stress, with 44% of K–12 educators reporting burnout “often” or “always,” according to a Gallup survey. Feelings of isolation among educators further compound these challenges, emphasizing the need for more connected and…

Read More
Just Thinking…How Networking, Advocacy and Innovation Fuels Success in Small School Districts
January 9, 2025

In today’s evolving educational landscape, small school districts face unique challenges, especially in rural areas. From limited staffing to navigating red tape, these districts must balance providing quality education with overcoming systemic barriers. With nearly 69% of California’s school districts serving fewer than 5,000 students, finding sustainable solutions for these challenges has become critical….

Read More
Just Thinking… About Bridging the Gap Between Classrooms and Real-World Scientific Research
January 7, 2025

As advancements in technology reshape how we learn, innovate, and engage with scientific research, how can we cultivate a scientific mindset in education and beyond? Today’s discussion highlights a growing emphasis on curiosity-led learning as a catalyst for systemic change in education. Curiosity plays a crucial role in learner engagement, with research showing that…

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Just Thinking… About Perseverance, Overcoming Adversity, and the Power of Resilience in Leadership
December 16, 2024

Resilience isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a critical skill for navigating life’s toughest challenges. This week’s episode of Just Thinking dives into stories of individuals who turned adversity into strength, highlighting why personal narratives matter more than ever. The American Psychological Association states that resilience is a learned skill, not an innate trait, underscoring its…

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Just Thinking…How Meaningful Innovation Can Redefine Education
December 13, 2024

Education is at a crossroads, with schools worldwide striving to keep pace with rapid technological advancements. Research from the World Economic Forum predicts that 65% of today’s students will work in jobs that don’t yet exist, underscoring the need for education systems to foster creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. Despite these demands, many institutions…

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Just Thinking…About Principal Coaching, Planning, and Engagement for Stronger Schools and Better Outcomes with Dr. Jordan Goines
December 12, 2024

Principals significantly influence student outcomes, second only to classroom teachers. According to a Wallace Foundation report, effective school leadership plays a significant role in shaping a school’s impact on student learning. However, principals face increasing pressures, juggling operational responsibilities with the need to foster academic success and school culture. These challenges underscore the importance…

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