Todd Jokl

I am proud and fortunate to be the Dean of a remarkable College of Art and Design her at RIT. I began my professional journey in higher education in 2000, following work in marketing, branding, and advertising during the dotcom boom in the Bay Area. It was during this time, I become acutely aware of technologies' influences on the evolution of our thinking and communication as well as understanding the information contained, therein. Through my artistic practice, I have explored perception and the ways that the message or content imbued in information changes when the delivery modality varies. Fun fact: I'm a beekeeper and I intentionally avoid information about the science of bees so that the awe of these little creatures and the complexity in their colonies and communication can continue to amaze me. For me, my time with the bees is a near spiritual time of commune with them.

1. How do you use Applied Critical Thinking in your professional practice, teaching, or research and what are your favorite resources?

I am both a visual and aural learner. I often sketch out ideas on scratch paper or white boards and work through various iterations of problem statements and solutions through conversation. And while the hectic nature of current schedules don't always support the luxury of time, I feel it is critical to find time for unscripted and free-form thinking. To this end, I am a firm believer in "engaged cognition." That is the unique type of thinking that takes place while making, and the distinctive making that takes place while thinking. The simultaneous activation of thinking alongside making leads to transformative outcomes and, I feel, embodies Applied Critical Thinking. Recently, I have been experimenting in areas found within our School for American Crafts, including ceramics and wood. Engaging in the physicality of materials and working towards a preconceived goal or vision is both humbling and thought-provoking. Seldom does the preconceived idea manifest. Much more often the outcome evolves throughout the process as I learn and grow in the moment, and respond to the direction the materials demand.

2. Why do you think Applied Critical Thinking is important in your domain or role?

Applied Critical Thinking (ACT) is so crucial because it is a distinctive methodology that stress tests our preconceptions, processes, and thinking in the moments where we are developing our ideas. Further, the "applied" philosophy demands an understanding of the problem(s) being addressed in my work. Because ACT stress tests ideas, it inherently nourishes an approach that is open to adaptability and not becoming entrenched in a certain position simply because it was "my" idea. It reduces the preciousness and ownership of a particular position and enables us to move toward better solutions or ideas more rapidly.

3. Can you share a story where quality Applied Critical Thinking was key to your success?

This example is a team effort, as is almost always the case. As the SHED came online, CAD had an opportunity to utilize one of the large classroom spaces in a dynamic new studio practice. The team of faculty, staff, and administrators came together to develop a novel approach to how we would utilize the space for several foundations courses and maintain the quality of teaching and learning outcomes for our students. As the new approaches were implemented, important feedback loops from students and faculty participating in these spaces have helped to shape and improve the experience. And this process of evaluation, questioning, ideating, testing, learning, reflecting, responding, and improving continues because of the wonderful people involved, from students to faculty, to staff and leaders pursuing a goal of dynamic learning practices and environments.

4. How do you use Applied Critical Thinking in other areas of your life outside of your profession?

Well, I serve on a few boards outside of my work at RIT. I bring ACT into our activities in these organizations as a way to activate the board and leaders within the organizations as we engage with problems and opportunities. Finally, while it might be called by a different name, I guess I've employed ATC in parenting by encouraging our children to test ideas, define problems, and experiment or stress test possible solutions or pathways they are exploring.

5. Any last critical thoughts you wish to share?

Question everything.