Technology

New study shows teaching ‘thinking skills’ boosts children’s social skills in an increasingly digital world

Published

6 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Nord Anglia Education study involving more than 12,000 students finds helping young people reflect on how they learn is associated with improvements in the social, emotional, and thinking skills that equip them for an AI-fuelled future

LONDON, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At a time when parents worldwide are increasingly concerned about the impact of screentime and technology on children’s social development, confidence, and independence, new research from Nord Anglia Education suggests schools can play a powerful role in strengthening essential human skills.

The two-year study involving more than 12,000 students across Nord Anglia’s schools worldwide found that teaching children how to reflect on their own thinking and learning — a method grounded in ‘thinking routines’ — not only improved their critical thinking, curiosity, and collaboration, but also delivered significant gains in social and emotional development.

The research found that:

70% of students reported stronger social skills76% reported greater independence85% reported increased self-awareness of their strengths

Dr Kate Erricker, Group Head of Education Research and Global Partnerships at Nord Anglia Education, said:

“Teaching students to reflect on their learning does two things at once. It builds important social and emotional capabilities, and it equips young people with the skills, such as independent thinking, judgement, communication and empathy, that will matter most as AI, and screen use, become even more embedded in everyday life.

At a time when many parents worry that children are spending too much time interacting with screens, our research also shows that when students become more aware of how they think and learn, they also become better at understanding other people. They contribute ideas more freely, collaborate more effectively, and will build stronger relationships. These are deeply human skills. They can’t be automated, and our research shows that they can be taught.”

Teaching students to think more deeply

Nord Anglia’s study, which included its schools in 20 countries examined the impact of explicitly teaching students to reflect on how they learn, solve problems, and approach challenges.

These simple classroom strategies encourage students to slow down, examine their assumptions, consider alternative viewpoints, and articulate their reasoning. One commonly used routine asks students:

“What do I notice? What do I think? What does this make me wonder?”

As a result, students also reported measurable improvements in key thinking skills, including:

Critical thinking (+21%)Curiosity (+20%)Collaboration (+15%)

Preparing students for success in the future

The findings suggest that helping students understand how they learn may be one of the most effective ways schools can develop the human capabilities needed in a rapidly changing world.

As technology continues to reshape daily life and the workplace, organisations including the World Economic Forum have identified skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and curiosity among the capabilities expected to grow in importance over the coming decade.

Discover more about how Nord Anglia students are developing the human skills they need to thrive in a technology-driven world by focusing on the skills AI can’t match.

For media enquiries, please contact:
David Bates
Senior Communications Manager
david.bates@nordanglia.com
+44 (0) 20 7131 0000

About Nord Anglia Education:

As a leading international schools organisation, we’re shaping a generation of creative and resilient global citizens who graduate from our schools with everything they need for success, whatever they choose to be or do in life.

Our strong academic foundations combine world-class teaching and curricula with cutting-edge technology and facilities, creating learning experiences like no other. Inside and outside of the classroom, we inspire our students to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

No two children learn the same way, which is why our schools around the world personalise learning to what works best for every student. Inspired by our high-quality teachers, our students achieve outstanding academic results and go on to study at the world’s top universities.

Our Nord Anglia global family includes 90 day and boarding schools in 37 countries, teaching over 100,000 students from ages 3 to 18.

To learn more or apply for a place for your child at one of our schools, go to www.nordangliaeducation.com.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-study-shows-teaching-thinking-skills-boosts-childrens-social-skills-in-an-increasingly-digital-world-302804376.html

Technology

Infineon wins patent infringement case against Innoscience

Published

38 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

MUNICH, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The District Court Munich, Germany (Landgericht München I) today ruled in favor of Infineon Technologies in two further of the patent infringement cases – specifically one based on a patent one based on a utility model – concerning gallium nitride (GaN) technology between Infineon and Innoscience.

The cases concern the unauthorized use of GaN technologies patented by Infineon by the Chinese company Innoscience. With today’s rulings, the court prohibits Innoscience from manufacturing, selling, and marketing additional patent-infringing products in Germany. Furthermore, the court has ordered Innoscience to pay damages to Infineon.

This marks Innoscience’s third and fourth legal defeat in a series of court cases, each of which found that Innoscience’s products infringe Infineon’s patents. Courts and authorities in both Germany and the United States have repeatedly concluded that Innoscience’s products infringe Infineon’s intellectual property rights. Prior rulings include the decision against Innoscience from August 1, 2025, in an initial German proceeding. Furthermore, on May 7, the Full Commission of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) found that Innoscience had infringed an Infineon patent in the field of gallium nitride (GaN) technology. Additional proceedings regarding the infringement of other Infineon patents are pending in the U.S. and Germany.

GaN plays a pivotal role in enabling high-performance and energy-efficient power systems in a broad range of applications, including renewable energy systems, data centers, industrial automation, and electric vehicles (EVs).

“Today’s ruling demonstrates the value of our GaN portfolio and underscores our commitment to vigorously defending our intellectual property and promoting fair competition,” said Johannes Schoiswohl, Senior Vice President and Head of Infineon’s GaN Systems Business Line.

Infineon continuously strengthens its position as a leading integrated device manufacturer (IDM) in the GaN market with the industry’s broadest IP portfolio, comprising approximately 450 GaN patent families. The company remains dedicated to fostering innovation and advancing semiconductor technology to address the world’s most pressing challenges, from decarbonization to digital transformation.

About Infineon
Infineon Technologies AG is a global semiconductor leader in power systems and IoT. Infineon drives decarbonization and digitalization with its products and solutions. The Company had around 57,000 employees worldwide (end of September 2025) and generated revenue of about €14.7 billion in the 2025 fiscal year (ending 30 September). Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX) and in the USA on the OTCQX International over-the-counter market (ticker symbol: IFNNY).

Further information is available at www.infineon.com
This press release is available online at www.infineon.com/press
Follow us: Facebook – LinkedIn

Contact:
Andre Tauber,
andre .tauber@infineon.com,
Tel. +49 89 343 6705

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/infineon-wins-patent-infringement-case-against-innoscience-302804725.html

Technology

The Inner Circle acknowledges Alan R. Mann as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence

Published

38 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

MOORESVILLE, N.C., June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Alan R. Mann is recognized as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence for his contributions to Data Analytics and Decision Support.

Alan R. Mann has built a distinguished career in data analytics defined by precision, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to data integrity. With 36 years of experience spanning government, private sector, and health care environments, he is widely respected for transforming complex data into actionable insight that supports informed decision making and improved outcomes.

Since 2023, Mr. Mann has served as a data analyst and senior decision support analyst at Highmark Health, where he manages reporting package responsibilities for the Encompass team. In this role, he develops advanced programming that enables sales teams to deliver data driven client presentations, compare client profiles across multiple health care benefit metrics, and measure outcomes for up to nine chronic conditions.

Mr. Mann’s responsibilities also include evaluating additional coverage measurements and product performance metrics, conducting data discovery to integrate internal database sources, and reducing manual transcription through streamlined data workflows. He finalizes data integration efforts that improve reporting efficiency and supports enhancements to pharmacy focused reporting products, ensuring accuracy and consistency across all deliverables.

A critical component of his work involves designing comprehensive test plans to validate the accuracy and reliability of program outputs. When discrepancies or uncertainties arise, Mr. Mann rigorously retests and validates results, reinforcing his commitment to quality, precision, and trustworthy analytics. His expertise across government, health care, data science, and business analytics continues to add measurable value to the organizations he supports.

Mr. Mann earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delaware and a Master of Science degree from Capella University. He further expanded his technical skill set through certification in artificial intelligence from the Texas McCombs School of Business. His professional affiliations include SAS, SASUG, Scouting America, and AEPhi, reflecting both his technical engagement and community involvement.

Outside of his professional work, Mr. Mann enjoys traveling, collecting model and toy trains, and playing guitar. He credits much of his success to the guidance of his mentor, Barry Morstan, and expresses deep gratitude to his wife, Louis, and his parents, Gilbert and Muriel, for their continued love and support.

Looking ahead, Mr. Mann plans to continue contributing to his organization while gradually preparing for the next phase of his professional journey, confident in the lasting impact of his work in data analytics and decision support.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, editorialteam@continentalwhoswho.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-inner-circle-acknowledges-alan-r-mann-as-a-pinnacle-professional-member-inner-circle-of-excellence-302804593.html

SOURCE The Inner Circle

Technology

Aquarius.io Launches Press AI & PR Spotlight: Your New AI Team

Published

38 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

They Call it “The Unfair Advantage”.

LOS ANGELES, Jun 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ —

Talent is not enough without a team.

Most people do not lose because they lack talent. They lose because they do not have a team behind them. Aquarius is out to change that. Two new tools, Press AI and PR Spotlight, put a full news team and a full marketing department in one person’s hands. It is the kind of firepower everyone needs go scale. See it all at Aquarius.io.

Press AI: a full news team for one person

Press AI is a full news team for one person. Give it a story and it researches live sources, checks the facts, turns your interviews into clean, quotable transcripts, and hands back a finished piece with sources attached, ready to file. It does the work of an entire team, so one reporter can chase more leads, break more stories, and beat every deadline.

“Talent is everywhere. The team behind it is not,” said Chaela Harrell, a co-founder of Aquarius. “Aquarius gives one person the power of a whole company. We are your unfair advantage.”

PR Spotlight: your own marketing department

PR Spotlight is a full marketing department in a single tool. Answer a few questions and it researches your brand, then builds investor grade pitch decks and complete media kits, designs your logo, and even handles your contracts, letting you upload, send, sign, and receive them through DocuSign. Together, Press AI and PR Spotlight do the work of an entire team, putting serious media and marketing power in anyone’s hands. Press AI and PR Spotlight are available now at Aquarius.io. Take a look, test it and see what the hype is about.

The rest of the Aquarius family

Press AI and PR Spotlight join a whole family of Aquarius tools: Muse Lab for image and video, Chronicles for cinematic storytelling, Viral AI for social content, and Aria, a voice driven executive assistant. The platform is self serve, so you only pay for what you make. Every tool is built on one idea: give one person the team they never had. That is your unfair advantage.

Press AI and PR Spotlight are the next step in what Aquarius set out to do: put professional grade tools in the hands of the people who were never handed a team.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aquariusio-launches-press-ai–pr-spotlight-your-new-ai-team-302804726.html

SOURCE Aquarius.io