ABOUT THIS EPISODE
When AI can produce a polished assignment in seconds, how do teachers know what students actually understand?
In Season 1, Episode 10 of The Kitchen Think, Dr Tim Kitchen speaks with Adrian Cotterell, co-founder and Managing Director of Thinking Mode and Managing Director of AI & Assessment Solutions.
Recorded at the 2026 National Education Summit in Melbourne, this conversation explores how schools can rethink assessment while keeping students accountable for their own thinking. Adrian shares why he champions “verification over detection” and explains how Thinking Mode uses AI-powered conversations to help students demonstrate their understanding of the work they submit.
Through questions that adapt to each student’s responses, teachers can gather evidence of learning beyond the polished final product.We discuss the limitations of traditional assignments, the continuing value of essay writing, and why forming opinions, evaluating arguments and explaining ideas remain essential human skills.A practical conversation for teachers and school leaders asking: how can we use AI while preserving the thinking students need to do for themselves?
Explore Thinking Mode: https://thinkingmode.com
More episodes of The Kitchen Think: https://timkitchen.net/podcast/
Subscribe and share this episode with a colleague interested in assessment, critical thinking and the future of learning.
Dr Kitchen's CTL - Creative Teaching & Learning site - https://timkitchen.net/ctl is also worth a look if you for more resources and support around the safe & ethical use of AI and digital creativity.
You can book Dr Kitchen to engage with your school in-person or online via - https://timkitchen.net/book-tim/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Rethinking assessment in the age of AI
01:57 What is Adrian’s teaching background?
04:58 What is Thinking Mode, and how does it work?
14:17 What weaknesses has AI exposed in traditional assessment?
19:07 If the final product isn’t enough, what should teachers assess?
28:41 How can teachers access Thinking Mode?
30:38 Closing reflections: Evidence of student understanding
