Shows
Margin of Thought with PritenWhat If the Answer to Technology Overload Isn't Better Tech But Real Relationships? - Nate OteyIn this episode, Priten speaks with Nate Otey, a ninth grade humanities, statistics, and calculus teacher at Boston Trinity Academy, a school that has deliberately chosen a low-tech approach. Nate shares how his school has banned phones for students up to 10th grade, with parents and students largely on board. The conversation explores what happens when a school community prioritizes relationality over connectivity, why friction in human relationships might be essential rather than something to eliminate, and how faith-based education can provide a framework for understanding why face-to-face connection matters. Nate reflects on the practical challenges of enforcing device p...
2026-02-2725 min
Margin of Thought with PritenCan We Teach Critical Thinking and Not Mindless Clicking? - Aidan KestigianHost Priten Soundar-Shah speaks with Aidan Kestigian, COO of Thinker Analytix, about why nearly half of college graduates lack basic reasoning skills and how explicit instruction in critical thinking can address this gap. They discuss the ethical commitments that should guide EdTech development, including prioritizing pedagogy over gamification, maintaining transparency with students, and building genuine relationships with educators.Key Takeaways:Critical thinking requires explicit instruction—it's not automatically developed through traditional courseworkEthical EdTech means putting pedagogical goals first, not engagement metrics or "stickiness"Reasoning is inherently difficult and requires sustained practice; shortcuts undermine real learningDirect accountability be...
2026-02-0532 min
insidewinkAnne L'Hommedieu-Sanderson - From Discord to Discourse. Discover the Work of ThinkerAnalytixAnne L’Hommedieu-Sanderson is the Executive Director/Co-founder of ThinkerAnalytix and Associate in the Harvard Department of Philosophy. She taught English and Theology in public and parochial high schools for 20+ years and is a US Department of Education Presidential Scholar Teaching Award recipient.
Here are steps to register for the course that Anne discusses in the podcast:
Visit this link: https://course.thinkeranalytix.org/login?group=thinkARGUMENTS+Demo+Spring+2025&groupcode=G32cbb2e
On the right-hand side of the page, fill out your information and click “Register.”
You will land on the co...
2025-09-2453 mininsidewinkAnne L'Hommedieu-Sanderson - From Discord to Discourse. Discover the Work of ThinkerAnalytixAnne L’Hommedieu-Sanderson is the Executive Director/Co-founder of ThinkerAnalytix and Associate in the Harvard Department of Philosophy. She taught English and Theology in public and parochial high schools for 20+ years and is a US Department of Education Presidential Scholar Teaching Award recipient.
Here are steps to register for the course that Anne discusses in the podcast:
Visit this link: https://course.thinkeranalytix.org/login?group=thinkARGUMENTS+Demo+Spring+2025&groupcode=G32cbb2e
On the right-hand side of the page, fill out your information and click “Register.”
You will land on the co...
2025-09-2453 min
Career Education ReportHow Students Can Transform Arguments Into UnderstandingIn an increasingly polarized and misinformed world, the ability to think critically and debate thoughtfully is more important than ever. Aidan Kestigian, Vice President of ThinkerAnalytix, shares how college students can sharpen these essential debating skills without creating a combative environment. She encourages the use of tools like argument mapping – a powerful teaching method that allows a group to visualize their arguments in a way that allows students to discuss the topic more neutrally. Join host Jason Altmire to see how people can argue better and how to deal with misinformation in a debate.To...
2024-12-1823 min
Rebel Educator®Aidan Kestigian, Harvard philosophy fellow and ThinkerAnalytix VP, on using AI to improve information literacy and argument formation (EdTech Startup Showcase)EdTech Startup Showcase: Aidan Kestigian, Harvard philosophy fellow and ThinkerAnalytix VP, on using AI to improve information literacy and argument formationToday, we’re pleased to share an episode originally recorded for the EdTech Startup Showcase. It’s been my pleasure to host a series of episodes for this show, which spotlights some of the most innovative emerging companies in edtech.In this episode, Aidan Kestigian, a visiting fellow in the Department of Philosophy at Harvard University and the Vice President of Operations and Curriculum for ThinkerAnalytix, shares her insi...
2024-05-1329 min
EdTech Startup ShowcaseAidan Kestigian, Harvard philosophy fellow and ThinkerAnalytix VP, on using AI to improve information literacy and argument formationIn this episode, Aidan Kestigian, a visiting fellow in the Department of Philosophy at Harvard University and the Vice President of Operations and Curriculum for ThinkerAnalytix, shares her insights on using AI to help students critically evaluate information and form better arguments. Hear about:Pedagog.ai’s connection to philosophyHow AI can have a role in moderating disagreements and creating productive discussionGiving students targeted practice in making an argumentUsing AI to make content and exercises grade- and skill-appropriateGiving students the tools to critically evaluate what they’re reading and hearingPersuasive arguments in a disag...
2024-04-2427 min
Thinking Critically#13: Critical Thinking: What is it and How to Use ItIn this episode, I'm speaking with Jonathan Haber about what exactly critical thinking is and the benefits it offers.
We discuss:
•His critical thinking journey and how politics acted as the initial impetus for his discovery.
•A definition for what critical thinking is.
•The benefits of learning critical thinking.
•How emotions still have a role in critical thinking even if they can get in the way of rational thought sometimes.
•How critical thinking promotes the recognition of both emotion as well as cognitive biases as innately human and how to minimize their negative impact on rational thought.
•How the internet has made it...
2020-06-081h 05