In a recent meeting with the staff at Converge Online, I was asked to share some of my ideas and write a regular blog. At first, I hesitated, thinking, what do I have to offer? Who would care? Then I realized: I read this magazine and its blogs, and I care. If I read this magazine and I care about what my colleagues are saying, others may think the same of my thoughts. Now, what does it matter? If just one more educator, parent, business or civic leader thinks the same and is inspired to act, then it's worth the effort.   

What is the “Spiraling Dynamic of Education?” 
The author Don Beck and Chris Cowan discussed the concepts of human nature in their 1996 book "Spiral Dynamic." This theory describes a model to see the spinning movements and interconnection of thoughts around a given subject of individuals, cultures and societies. (Check Wikipedia for a quick explanation.) It gives meaning to our attitudes and view points. In the case of education, how do we do it? What philosophy do we apply? To what end? Well, it really depends on you, your values and beliefs. Then what to do about it and how do we interact with our colleagues, parents, students and communities. In this context, what are the dynamics at play in education at this swirling time of change, innovation, technology and accountability? 

In this blog, I will share my thoughts on topics that include career and technical education. (Or is that college and technical education? After all, isn’t college just advanced career preparation?) I’ll also discuss first and second generation online learning, digital learners, technology in the classroom, the 21st-century classrooms, furnishings for learning and the digital refrigerator that every teacher needs.

At my daughter’s recent back-to-school night, I meet one of her teachers that knew my father. He told me a story from 1964 when my father was showing other teachers how to use the latest technology — an overhead projector. He demonstrated how teachers could face the class rather than the board, how to make a transparency, how to use a pencil as a pointer and how to use another piece of paper to reveal only part of the projected image. I found this story ironic since I now demonstrate the use of Web pages, online tools and interactive tablets to my staff. I guess it's in my genes to look at education differently and be out on the edge. I find it comfortable there — you must too, or you wouldn’t be reading this.