ARE YOU A DECISION MAKER?
June 25, 2021
“Your life choices aren’t just about what you want to do; they’re about who you want to be” – Joshua Rothman
Are you a decision maker? Of course you are. If not for a major corporation or start-up, at least for your family or your own life. Do you want to get face-to-face with the biggest decision maker who can improve your life and business? Look in the mirror.
This article is dedicated to all our parents and students who wants to take charge by being a more effective decision maker, whilst providing you with the effective tools to help yourself and your child navigate the process and achieving this goal.
It is crucial for young people to understand this process to help empower them to make confident, positive decisions regarding the social, emotional and physical wellbeing for themselves and those around them as they move toward independence.
Being an effective decision maker helps any person make the best choices, but more than that, it lets you decide what the choices are and, in fact, what problem is being solved. More than anything else, it puts you in charge of your life. It is probably the most important skill for success.
So, why does everybody hate making decisions? You never hear anyone say, “Yay! I have a decision to make!” Decisions are seen as stumbling blocks rather than opportunities. The best way is to approach this process is to ask the following questions:
- What decision needs to be made,
- What are the options,
- Evaluate the options and pick the best one (pros and cons list), and
- Act on your choice and see how it works. And don’t be afraid to fail.
Decision-making is both art and science. There is an entire discipline of decision science. You can get a degree on the subject. Decision science teaches you how to maximize the expected value of your utility function. What does that mean? How does this apply to real people making real decisions?
Decision science often focuses on making a choice among alternatives, yet being an effective decision maker requires much more than this. This is where the art comes in.
- What is the most important problem to be solved?
- What are the alternatives?
- What does the future hold?
- What about all these conflicting goals?
To do this well requires both courage and imagination. Pep talks help, but specific tools and techniques are better. The secret is to strike a balance.
Here are 10 tips that will help you develop, strengthen and flex your decision-making skills.
- Know your goal.
- Never make decisions in a bad frame of mind or in a haste.
- Understand all your options.
- Visualize your future, does this decision benefit your long-term goal.
- Eliminate the unwanted. Making good decisions isn’t always about focusing on what you want, but sometimes about focusing what you don’t want but rather need.
- While aiming for the best, remember that it is not always your only option. Sometimes taking the lesser road travelled, brings you to great success.
- Don’t overthink things.
- Sometimes taking your own advice, is good advice. Imagine you are speaking to a third party that needs the same advice you are about to give ‘yourself’. Sometimes removing yourself from the equation, gives you clearer perspective.
- Look to others when needed. You can learn a lot from other people’s experiences.
- Always trust our instinct – if it doesn’t sit well with you walk away.
By no means can every tip teach good decision-making, however it is the perfect place to start!
To embrace good decision-making skills is to empower yourself and our younger generation, in making positive life choices as you navigate the challenges of life. So, make the effort master the art of decision-making.
By Andrison Muzinda: Head of Standard 7 GIS Parent: 1. Will AI replace teachers? 2. Should my child be using AI at school? These are questions I hear often from parents, and they are understandable. Artificial Intelligence is becoming part of everyday life, from the phones we use to the way we work. Naturally, parents want to know what it means for their children's education. As an educator, I have learnt that the real question is not whether children will use AI, but how schools can guide them to use it responsibly, ethically and effectively. The answer lies in a partnership that is technology working hand in hand with excellent teaching. AI is a tool, not a Replacement The best schools, like Gaborone International School, have always adapted to change while keeping children's needs at the centre. AI is not different. In my experience, the most meaningful learning still happens through strong relationships when a teacher notices a child's growth in confidence, a class discussion that sparks curiosity or a moment when a learner finally understands a difficult concept. AI cannot replace these human experiences. What it can do is help teachers personalise learning and give students more opportunities to grow. Personalised Learning One of the greatest strengths of AI is its ability to adapt learning to each child. In Gaborone International School, platforms such as AdvLearn provide learners with targeted practice and immediate feedback, helping them master concepts at their own pace. On the other hand, assessment tools like MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) allow teachers to identify strengths and areas for improvement, enabling instruction that is tailored to individual needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. For younger learners, AI supported Guided Readers can recommend books at the right reading level and monitor progress, helping children build confidence and develop a love of reading. As teachers, we still interpret the data, encourage learners and make professional decisions. AI simply gives us better information to support every child. Creativity and Innovation Responsible use of AI also means preparing children for the future. This is why our school introduced robotics programmes, where learners design, build and programme solutions to real-world problems while developing creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills. We also use Virtual Reality headsets to transform learning experiences. For instance, learners explore the solar system as if they are travelling through space. These immersive experiences make learning memorable and meaningful. The goal is not to impress students with technology but to deepen understanding and inspire curiosity. Ethics Matters Of course, with great opportunities come important responsibilities. Children need guidance on when and how to use AI. They must learn to think critically, verify information and understand that AI-generated content is not always accurate. At Gaborone International School, this means teaching digital citizenship alongside digital skills. Students should know that AI can help them brainstorm ideas or practise concepts, but it should never replace their own thinking, creativity or integrity. As educators, we have a duty to model responsible use and to create clear guidelines that protect learners while encouraging innovation. What Parents Can Do Parents do not need to be AI experts; instead, they should ask their children questions like: How are you using AI at school? What are you learning from using AI? Is AI helping you to think differently? These conversations teach children that technology is most powerful when paired with curiosity, good judgment, and strong values. Takeaway AI is changing education, and that change brings exciting possibilities. When used thoughtfully, tools such as AdvLearn, MAP, Guided Readers, robotics and VR can enrich learning and help children thrive. However, the heart of education remains unchanged: caring teachers, supportive families and young people who are encouraged to think, question and dream. The schools that will lead the future are not those that simply adopt the latest technology but the ones that use it responsibly, keeping children at the centre of every decision, and that is exactly the kind of future every parent wants for their child.
What Parents Should Really Look For
Using Assessment Insights to Personalise Support and Improve Learner Outcomes
