RTI International will host the 2026 Early College Summit on June 9–10, 2026 at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NC. This two-day event for early college leaders and program teams will focus on research-based early college and dual enrollment strategies to improve practice and support student success in rigorous learning environments. The Summit is designed so that veteran and new early college practitioners and college partners can collaborate to learn and share expertise to improve learning and student outcomes. Join us as we strengthen our capabilities to empower learners for future ready success!
Teaching Critical Thinking in the Age of AI: Using AI Responsibly to Develop Critical Thinkers and Writers
Students can now generate an essay in seconds. So, how do we ensure they are still doing the thinking?
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly common in schools, educators face a new challenge: helping students use AI as a tool for learning instead of a shortcut around it. The question is no longer whether students will use AI, but how we can design learning that encourages them to think critically, write authentically, and maintain ownership of their ideas.
In this session, participants will explore practical, classroom-tested strategies for using AI to strengthen critical thinking, support meaningful revision, and amplify student voice. Through classroom examples, student work samples, and guided discussion, attendees will examine how AI can be used as a tool for inquiry, reflection, feedback, and analysis while keeping students at the center of the learning process.
Participants will discover ways to design assignments and writing experiences that require students to evaluate information, justify decisions, critique AI-generated responses, and engage in deep thinking that leads to stronger writing and deeper understanding. The session will also address responsible and ethical AI use, including academic integrity, bias awareness, transparency, and preserving student ownership of learning.
Attendees will leave with practical resources, classroom-ready strategies, and a framework for integrating AI in ways that maintain rigor, foster critical thinking, and empower students to become thoughtful, responsible communicators in an AI-rich world.
