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In a world full of AI answers, will your child learn how to think?
Artificial intelligence is already transforming how we learn, work, and solve problems. Answers are faster, easier, and everywhere.
But when answers are instant, something else matters more than ever: your child’s ability to think independently, question thoughtfully, and adapt with confidence.
Today, children in Dalian are growing up in a world where the question is no longer, “can students find the right answer?”. It’s: “can they understand it, challenge it, and use it wisely?”
At Dalian American International School, we focus on developing these essential thinking skills every day.
Dr. Craig Wilson, Head of School: "I have always wanted the schools which I lead to prepare students for success in the world beyond school, not to lead schools which simply enable students to be accepted by universities, only to fail when they enter them. To achieve this aim, what we teach our students to know is less important than the skills which we teach them. With the advent of AI this is now more important than ever. Foremost in importance amongst those skills are thinking skills. These are already encapsulated in the ‘Higher Order Thinking’ strand of our School-Wide Learner Outcomes, and we are continuing to increase how much they explicitly feature in our teaching."
We don’t just teach answers. We teach students how to think.
In our classrooms, students learn to:
At DAIS Elementary, creativity is at the heart of every classroom. We believe in the freedom to create, to think differently, to be curious, and to use our imagination—skills that empower students to explore ideas, express themselves, and grow with confidence. As Mr. Martin Moratillo, DAIS Art and Design Department Head, shares: “In these fast-changing and unpredictable times, when we are expected to adapt, evolve, and learn rapidly, creativity stands out as one of the most essential human skills for success.”
In DAIS Secondary social studies classrooms, learning incorporates numerous elements that exceed what students can accomplish through the use of AI alone. Students engage in independent writing and analysis, developing historical thinking skills through public speaking, debate, negotiation, and reflection on multiple perspectives from different nations and cultures. While AI may be used during preparation, students must articulate and defend their own ideas in real time while responding to the perspectives of others. Across social studies units, these experiences require independent thought, critical engagement, and human interaction that cannot be replaced by AI.
Our approach builds curiosity, confidence, and independence in every learner.
As part of Nord Anglia Education, our school’s approach to learning is informed by a global research partnership with Boston College, involving over 12,000 students worldwide.
The results showed measurable improvements in the skills that matter most:
This research helps us continuously improve how we teach and how students learn.
Learn more about the research here
As part of Nord Anglia Education, we benefit from these global insights, using research-informed approaches to continuously strengthen teaching and learning across the school.
This supports our focus on personalised learning and preparing students for an AI-powered future.
When children learn how to think, they gain the confidence to:
These are the skills that prepare them not just for exams, but for life.
Discover what your child can achieve at Dalian American International School.
