Professional Development Hub
Join the thousands of teachers and leaders who have learned with I-Think. Dive into our video library and discover practical tools you can use right away.
“What Integrative Thinking offers is an approach to problem solving that, instead of getting overwhelmed by the complexity of the issues, is hopeful about what is possible.”
- Dr. Maria Vamvalis, Researcher and Educator
We believe that a teacher and leader’s professional practice is how stance, tools and experience influence and guide each other. At I-Think we provide a new set of tools for new experiences. We invite you to use them to deepen your Integrative Thinker’s stance.
Frameworks You'll Learn
Integrative Thinking uses tensions and diverse perspectives to create better solutions. Drawing on research and business school frameworks from psychology, behavioral economics, systems thinking, and leadership, it provides a repeatable process for tackling complex, real-world problems.
Pro-Pro Chart
A mindset-shifting tool that replaces the mostly ineffective pro-con list. Instead of wasting effort on what doesn’t work, the Pro-Pro Chart helps you explore the benefits of opposing models —uncovering insights and expanding your solution space.
Ladder of Inference
Chris Argyris’s framework helps make thinking explicit. Use it to surface assumptions, uncover bias, and guide thoughtful questioning.
Causal Model
Inspired by systems thinking, this tool helps map cause-and-effect relationships to better understand how a challenge unfolds and where to act.
3Cs of Creativity
Inspired by human-centered design, these three activities enable a culture of creativity from connection, collaboration and constraints.
Video Library
Real-World Problem Solving Institute Series →
Thousands of teachers and leaders have learned with I-Think. Our flagship program ran over three days, spaced about a month apart, with teachers and leaders implementing each framework in their own classrooms and schools between sessions. If you're just getting started, we recommend beginning with Day 1: the Introduction to Real-World Problem Solving and the Pro-Pro Case Study. We've found that starting with Day 2 or 3, the Ladder of Inference, Causal Model or 3Cs of Creativity, tends to be less impactful than building from the Pro-Pro.
This series was developed by Vice Principal Erin Quinn, Vice Principal Nizam Hussain, teacher Tynesha Hibbert alongside I-Think leaders, Nogah Kornberg and Josie Fung.
Every video includes examples from K - 12 classrooms.
Day 1 - Introduction to Real-World Problem Solving with Integrative Thinking
In these two videos, we’ll introduce the research that underlies Integrative Thinking and use a case study from a classroom, to wrestle with real-world tensions using the Pro-Pro Chart to define, articulate, and examine our mental models.
Day 2 - Making Thinking Explicit
In these two videos, we explore critical thinking with the Ladder of Inference framework and navigating complexity with the Causal Model framework. We use the Ladder of Inference to make our and others' thinking explicit and question that thinking. Developed by Chris Argyris, the Ladder of Inference breaks down how we build our models into data, interpretation and conclusion. The Causal Model stops us from simplifying the problem and our thinking by embracing complexity. Inspired by systems thinking the Causal Model looks at the interconnections of cause and effect.
Day 3 - 3Cs of Creativity
In this video we cover the conditions that create a culture of creativity: Connections, Constraints and Collaboration. We share research on creativity and easy to use activities to embed creativity in your classrooms and schools.
101 Series →
The 101 Series introduces you to Integrative Thinking, and the toolkit that supports students, educators, and leaders in tackling real-world challenges with confidence and creativity. As you go deep with the Real-World Problem Solving Institute videos, these are great to share with colleagues as an introduction to each framework.
Innovation in Thinking and Learning Series →
The Ontario Ministry of Education named I-Think a top 3 innovation in Ontario to profile in this video series. Hear from Roger Martin, K-12 teachers and leaders, and watch students using the frameworks of Integrative Thinking.
“[Integrative Thinking is] re-affirming the things that I value: the importance of empathy and of listening. It is also challenging me to see tension as a positive thing when I feel I was raised differently. It is helping me take risks to speak out more and challenge thinking within my team.”
– Principal
