Classroom Management Techniques

GenAI won't kill critical thinking. Comfortable leaders will. AMLE 's "Critical Thinking in the Age of Generative AI," a 2025 systematic review, and Microsoft's survey all point to the same tension ➤ AI can sharpen your thinking—or slowly dull it. Here are 9 ways to stay sharp: 1️⃣ "Treat AI as a first draft, never a final say"  ↳ GenAI's confident tone tricks your brain into skipping evaluation. ✅ Act on it: Ban "copy–paste" from AI into decision-critical docs. Require one human edit plus rationale before anything AI-generated moves upward. 2️⃣ "Ask AI to argue against itself"  ↳ Questioning and comparison strengthen critical thinking. ✅ Act on it: Always follow one answer with: "Now, give me the strongest counterargument." Share that practice with your team as a standard operating rule. 3️⃣ "Separate speed from wisdom"  ↳ Fast answers feel good; wise answers feel uncomfortable first. ✅ Act on it: For decisions that feel "too easy" after AI, pause and ask: "What are we not seeing?" Use AI to surface opposing viewpoints and edge cases—not just best practices. 4️⃣ "Build 'social critical thinking,' not just solo analysis"  ↳ Challenge assumptions together. ✅ Act on it: In key meetings, assign one person "AI skeptic" and another "AI translator." End with: "What assumptions are we accepting because AI made them sound reasonable?" 5️⃣ "Use AI to find blind spots, not excuses"  ↳ Confidence in AI can reduce scrutiny; leaders can reverse that. ✅ Act on it: Ask, "Whose perspective is missing?" and use AI to simulate that viewpoint. Include ethical, cultural, or stakeholder perspectives as separate prompts. 6️⃣ "Turn AI mistakes into a leadership curriculum"  ↳ Reflective use of AI strengthens thinking. ✅ Act on it: Collect "AI near-miss" stories and discuss them in leadership meetings. Ask: "What almost went wrong? What saved us? What changes next time?" 7️⃣ "Make your own thinking visible"  ↳ Leadership thinking is contagious. ✅ Act on it: Narrate your process: "Here's what AI suggested. Here's how I challenged it. Here's the decision." Encourage your direct reports to model the same. 8️⃣ "Audit where you've gone on AI autopilot"  ↳ Over-reliance creeps in quietly. ✅ Act on it: List 3 areas where you now "trust" AI outputs without checking. For each, design one review step that reintroduces human judgment. 9️⃣ "Upgrade your questions, not just your tools"  ↳ Tools are only as powerful as the questions behind them. ✅ Act on it: Replace "What should we do?" with "Given A, B, C constraints, what are 3 non-obvious options?" Evaluate question quality in team retros, not just answer quality. The question to keep asking: "Is AI helping me think better—or just faster?" Your leadership edge depends on the difference. Coaching can help; let's chat. ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Joshua Miller for more tips on coaching, AI-era leadership, career + mindset. ⸻ #ai #leadership #executivecoaching #careeradvice #manager #mindset

I can't stop thinking about these two graphics, do you see what I see? The first shows 84% of the world has never used AI. The green, yellow, and red dots you can barely see at the bottom? That's everyone who has. The second is from Brookings' Disengagement Gap research. It maps how students experience learning across four modes: Resister, Passenger, Achiever, and Explorer. Explorers make up 5-11% of students. Look at both graphics again. Are the Explorers and those tiny colored dots the same people? I think they are. We've spent decades focused on teaching students what to think and how to think. Thinking matters. What I'm saying is that thinking was never the root cause of learning. Agency is. Agency is the skill and will to set meaningful goals and adapt when things don't work. It's what separates an Explorer from a Passenger. It's what separates someone who builds with AI from someone who's never opened ChatGPT. And in 2026 we're watching agency advance in AI faster than any other capability. The machines are developing the very quality we've been struggling to cultivate in humans. So how do we build it? Nord Anglia Education just published findings from a study across 29 schools in 20 countries with 12,000 students. Their research with Boston College found that daily use of Visible Thinking Routines drove gains of 40-50% in curiosity, compassion, and critical thinking. These are simple, structured prompts from Harvard's Project Zero. "I used to think... now I think..." or "What makes you say that?" They make invisible thinking visible. And when students can see their own thinking, they start owning it. That's metacognition. Metacognition is the engine of agency. I've paired Visible Thinking Routines alongside every technology I've ever introduced. The results never fail. When you make thinking visible before you make productivity possible, people don't just use the tool. They understand why. This isn't rocket science. Every educator can do this. Every parent can do this. We don't have an AI problem. We don't have a technology problem. We don't have a critical thinking problem. We have an agency problem. This is what we teach inside The Human-Centered AI Classroom. Rebecca Winthrop

10 Simple Ways to Transform a Child’s Experience at School 1. Use their name and know something about them. Greet every child by name. Let them know you see them. Mention something from their life. It builds trust faster than anything else. 2. Prepare yourself, not just the classroom. Before the day begins, regulate your own nervous system. Slow your breathing. Be calm. Children do not just listen to us, they feel us. 3. Speak to whom they could become. Do not just praise the work. Name the identity. “You’re thinking like an author.” “You’re working like an artist.” Children begin to believe the story you tell them about themselves. 4. Create space for trying and failing. Growth never happens inside comfort. Try new things. Let it go wrong. Show children that mistakes are not failure; they are progress in motion. 5. Let learning be hands-on and spoken out loud. The hand is the gateway to the brain. Touch, build, move, discuss, debate. When children are active and talking, learning deepens naturally. 6. Prioritise emotional safety above all else. Remove comparison, ranking and fear. Create a space where children feel safe to take risks, make mistakes and be themselves. 7. Be human in front of them. Let children see how you feel. Name your emotions. When adults model emotional awareness, children learn it without being taught. 8. See behaviour as communication. Every behaviour is a message. When a child is unsettled, they are not being difficult; they are telling you something. 9. Look beyond the behaviour and respond to the need. End every day on a positive note Finish together. Reflect on what went well. Celebrate small wins. Children remember how a day feels more than what was taught. 10. Show you care through action. Do not just say it. Prove it. Know their stories. Ask questions. Listen deeply. When children feel they matter, everything changes. Which of these do you already do, and how have you seen it change the way your children engage with learning? #education #school #teacher #teaching #montessori

The "AI- Ask me Anything" button is everywhere but it's not much use unless we are asking the right questions. And- just as importantly, teaching people to ask the right questions! Asking the right question is a skill in itself. It requires clarity of thought, an understanding of what you actually need, and the ability to frame your question in a way that leads to insights you can actually use. AI can do so much but it can’t think critically for you. It won’t know if you’re asking the right question—or if you’re even solving the right problem. That still requires human judgment. This is why, in the workplace, critical thinking remains essential. EVERYONE needs the skills to analyze situations, define problems accurately, and evaluate different perspectives before they even turn to AI for support. If people don’t develop the skill of asking precise, thoughtful questions, they end up gorilla guessing (blindly smashing away at AI prompts, hoping to get a good answer) And in doing this, they miss the opportunity to use AI as a powerful tool to enhance their own thinking. 🤔 So, how do leaders and managers strengthen these critical thinking and questioning skills? 💡 We need to start with normalize questioning. If you want to create a culture where asking questions is the norm, not the exception, you need to: 🔹 Model it – Regularly ask open-ended, thought-provoking questions in meetings. 🔹 Encourage it – Respond positively to questions rather than shutting them down. Make it safe for people to ask ‘Why?’ and ‘What if?’. 🔹 Reward it – Recognize those who challenge assumptions and seek deeper insights. 🔹 Train for it – Teach employees how to ask better questions and think critically. Many have never been taught how to do this! Once people realize that questioning is valued, they’ll naturally do it more...and do it better! Speaking of questions... How do YOU encourage better questioning and critical thinking in your team? Let me know in the comments 🙏

Tired of unproductive meetings? Meetings are a crucial part of our work life, but they can often feel like a waste of time. With the right Content, you can ensure your meetings are productive and impactful. 🟢 Here are seven best practices to help you get the most out of your meetings: ✅ Set Clear Objectives: Always start with a clear goal. What do you want to achieve by the end of the meeting? Having a purpose keeps everyone focused. ✅ Create an Agenda: Outline the topics to be discussed and share it with participants beforehand. This helps everyone come prepared and keeps the meeting on track. ✅ Invite the Right People: Only include those who are necessary for the discussion. Too many attendees can lead to off-topic conversations. ✅ Stick to the Schedule: Respect everyone’s time by starting and ending on time. If the discussion is running long, consider scheduling a follow-up meeting. ✅ Encourage Participation: Make sure everyone has a chance to speak. Ask for input and listen actively to different perspectives. ✅ Summarize Key Points: At the end of the meeting, recap the main points and any decisions made. This ensures everyone is on the same page. ✅ Assign Action Items: Clearly define who is responsible for what tasks and set deadlines. Follow up on these tasks in the next meeting. By implementing these practices, you can transform your meetings into productive sessions that drive your projects forward. 💡 Have a tip for running effective meetings? Share it below! Let's Connect - https://lnkd.in/gH5HmejA #careertips #meetings #employees #productive

This lesser-known quote from Martin Luther King Jr.'s student days has me thinking. To be a positive leader and a positive human in this time of political and technological disruption requires intellectual humility and self-aware consideration of one's own assumptions as well as thoughtful and critical consideration of the information we take in. We all need to be on our guard against the tendency to jump to conclusions or engage in black-and-white thinking. Some questions I like to ask my #coaching clients to strengthen their critical thinking include: ♦ What assumptions are you making about this issue or person? ♦ What led you to those assumptions? ♦ How could you test those assumptions? ♦ What would prove your assumptions wrong? ♦ What information might you be missing / what do you NOT know? How can you gather that information? ♦ Tell me about a time when you realized that one of your assumptions was wrong. What did you learn from that? #MLKDay2024 #criticalthinking #selfawareness

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟? 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞. During my stint as Group Medical Director with Dr Lal Path Labs, I was introduced to the concept of a pre-read. Anyone scheduled to speak should share the slide deck with relevant information as a pre-read with all the attendees. This allows for everyone to know the context in advance, giving time to review the details and build their point of view, allowing for a healthy discussion, rather than understanding the contents during the presentation. Taking into account this simple philosophy, here's how I suggest 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭. 1. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞: Arriving 5 minutes before the start of the meeting allows the meeting to start on time and also time to address any tech glitches that could come up in making the presentation. 2. 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥: Consider sharing pre-read materials or literature related to the agenda which ensures that all participants have the chance to do their homework, and come prepared with thoughts, notes, & ideas, making the meeting more focused & effective. 3. 𝐁𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞: Interactive meetings where all participants contribute makes for a healthier discussion. 𝐈 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 "𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬!" 4. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: It's not about scribbling down every word like a court stenographer. It's about capturing the non-negotiables, action points, and responsibilities in the moment. Consider them as not just records; they're your treasure map to the 'Aha!' moments that will help you think better and collaborate effectively post the discussion. 5. 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: Meeting minutes aren't meant to gather dust in your inbox; they're strategic tools. Break down minutes into bite-sized, achievable steps to ensure that discussions lead to tangible results. 6. 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 & 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭: How often do we jump from one meeting to another in a day? It's crucial to pause and reflect. Take a few minutes after the meeting to ponder on the discussed topics. Immediate reflection eliminates confusion and clutter, providing clarity when circling back to the key points. How do you approach meetings to ensure maximum productivity and efficiency? I would love to hear and learn from your insights. #preread #productivemeetings #DrSanjayArora

We don't prepare for effective meetings. But we can save time and boost outcomes with one rule. Here's how: Early in my career, I noticed meetings were often unproductive. 50% of the time was wasted without a clear agenda. So, I started using a 6-step formula to run meetings. 1. Prepare a Clear Agenda ↳ Create and distribute it in advance ↳ Include key topics: progress updates, challenges, tasks, decisions ↳ Set clear objectives for the meeting 2. Focus on Key Updates and Issues ↳ Start by reviewing action items from the previous meeting ↳ Have team members provide brief updates on their tasks and progress ↳ Discuss any roadblocks, challenges, or risks ↳ Prioritize the most important items for discussion 3. Encourage Participation ↳ Actively engage all team members to share updates and insights ↳ Allow time for problem-solving and brainstorming solutions 4. Manage Time Effectively ↳ Stick to the scheduled time for each agenda item ↳ Keep the meeting focused and on-track ↳ Consider setting a time limit for individual updates 5. Document Outcomes and Next Steps ↳ Assign clear action items and owners for follow-up tasks ↳ Summarize key decisions made and next steps ↳ Share meeting minutes/notes with all attendees afterward 6. Follow Up on Action Items ↳ Track commitments and hold people accountable. ↳ Ensure decisions are acted upon to maintain momentum Save this meeting rule: clear agenda → effective outcomes. Implement like a pro → Run meetings like a boss

Emphasising critical reasoning cultivates designers who can evaluate emerging tools judiciously rather than embracing them uncritically. In communication and interaction design, for example, students must learn to question why a certain technique is beneficial, identify whom it serves, and consider any unintended consequences it might entail. Encouraging learners to recognise bias in data, draw on local perspectives, and consider the socio-political impact of their work helps them transcend mere technical ability. They emerge as informed custodians of technology rather than passive operators. Ultimately, this approach prepares graduates for a future that values discernment over technical showmanship. While designers should remain curious and open to experimenting with new innovations, a strong grounding in critical thinking ensures that tools remain a means to meaningful ends rather than ends in themselves. By guiding students to understand the cultural, ethical, and societal dimensions of their work, we nurture a generation of professionals who can lead with intelligence and creativity, regardless of how rapidly their tools evolve. #criticalthinking #emergingtech #ai #designeducation

Leading meetings isn’t about talking more—it’s about leading better. Most professionals struggle not because they’re inexperienced— but because their meetings lack intent, structure, and authority. Here are five simple shifts that instantly elevate the way you lead any discussion: 1️⃣ Begin with the Outcome, Not the Agenda Most people open meetings with “Here’s what we’ll discuss.” Leaders open with “Here’s what we must achieve today.” It changes the energy immediately. 2️⃣ Set Roles, Not Just Expectations A meeting derails when everyone thinks everyone else will drive it. Assign clear roles: →Owner →Decision-maker →Contributors →Timekeeper →Next-step lead Clarity speeds everything up. 3️⃣ Use the “90-Second Rule” If your point takes more than 90 seconds to explain, you’ve lost the room. Be concise → give context → move to action. Authority is felt in clarity, not volume. 4️⃣ Interrupt Confusion, Not People When conversations spiral, leaders step in with: “Let’s pause. What is the decision we need to make here?” This resets the group without shutting anyone down. 5️⃣ Close Like a Project Manager, Not a Moderator End every meeting with 3 things: →Decision made →Next steps →Owner + timeline If these are missing, the meeting didn’t end—it just stopped. Great leaders don’t run more meetings. They run meetings that move the business forward. When you lead with clarity, structure, and purpose, you don’t just host meetings— you build trust, authority, and momentum. Follow for more. Disclaimer: Image copyright lies with the originator.