Just Thinking: How Visual Tools and AI Can Unlock 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 for both the future of learning and the workforce.So, how can schools move beyond fear and utilize AI to promote, rather than replace, human thought?In this episode of Just Thinking, host Kevin Dougherty sits down with Jared McClure, business developer and AI systems strategist, and Dr. David Hyerle, cognitive scientist and co-creator of NeuraPoints. Together, they explore how NeuraPoints—a visual “language of thinking” can help educators measure cognition, level the playing field for equity, and integrate AI in more human-centered ways that support critical thinking in education.Key highlights from the conversation include:Assessment reimagined: NeuraPoints shifts evaluation from final output to the thinking process, allowing teachers to see students' cognitive pathways in real time.AI integration with purpose: Rather than fearing AI, educators can use NeuraPoints to infuse human cognition into digital tools, improving learning outcomes and minimizing shortcuts like AI-generated cheating.Equity and access: For multilingual learners and students who struggle with writing or speaking, NeuraPoints provides a nonverbal way to show understanding, supporting true inclusion.Jared McClure is a seasoned business developer and executive with over 20 years of experience leading startups and consulting across AI, data science, and education technology. He is the founder and CEO of NeuraPoints, where he integrates neurocognitive research with AI to enhance learning and thinking in educational environments. McClure has a proven track record in scaling businesses, building high-performing teams, and delivering strategic solutions across multiple industries.Dr. David Hyerle is the founder of Thinking Foundation and CEO of Thinking Schools International, where he leads global efforts to implement visual thinking tools for educational transformation. He co-developed the widely used Thinking Maps® model and has authored numerous professional development resources to support cognitive skill-building in classrooms. His work spans over two decades and includes partnerships across more than a dozen countries to promote equity and critical thinking in schools.