Host 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 coursework
- Ethical EdTech means putting pedagogical goals first, not engagement metrics or "stickiness"
- Reasoning is inherently difficult and requires sustained practice; shortcuts undermine real learning
- Direct accountability between EdTech developers and educators leads to better products and outcomes
- Mission-driven organizations can prioritize both growth and integrity when the mission guides decision-making
Relevant Links:
About Aidan:
Aidan Kestigian, Ph.D. Chief Operating Officer for ThinkerAnalytix, an education non-profit organization, and a visiting Associate of the Department of Philosophy at Harvard University. Aidan received her Ph.D. in Logic, Computation, and Methodology from Carnegie Mellon University in 2018 and taught logic and ethics to college students for a decade before and during her time at TA. She is the author of Democratic Decisions in a Critical Thinking Crisis (2025).
Aidan Kestigian, Ph.D. Chief Operating Officer for ThinkerAnalytix, an education non-profit organization, and a visiting Associate of the Department of Philosophy at Harvard University. Aidan received her Ph.D. in Logic, Computation, and Methodology from Carnegie Mellon University in 2018 and taught logic and ethics to college students for a decade before and during her time at TA. She is the author of Democratic Decisions in a Critical Thinking Crisis (2025).