Blog
Restorative Learning in a Global Community: Reflections on TLIC 2026
The Learning Ideas Conference 2026 offered more than an opportunity to present my work; it offered a space where restorative learning could flourish. From the moment I submitted my proposal, I felt the familiar spark that comes when people gather with curiosity, dignity, and a willingness to learn from one another. That spirit carried through every stage of the experience.
Planting the Seeds of DAISY: How a Simple AI Experiment Grew into Something Bigger
Sometimes innovation doesn't begin with a fully developed plan. Sometimes it begins with a question. Sometimes it begins with a conversation. And sometimes it begins with an afternoon spent talking to your phone. You never really know which ideas will take root. But give them a little curiosity, collaboration, and room to grow, and you might just end up with a DAISY.
Generative Sedation: Why We Keep Nagging the Smartest Thing in the Room
Let me say this up front, because the many words that follow are going to sound like I'm mad at AI, and I'm not: I'm unequivocally pro-AI. I use it daily. It's remarkable. But using it well takes more responsibility than many are signing up for. It’s the kind of gap that doesn't announce itself. It's the outdoor picnic bench you built beautifully but didn't apply a finish, so it silvers and splits after one winter. It's the outlet you painted over instead of unscrewing the cover, now sealed shut until somebody needs it in a hurry…. The job got done. The shortcut is patient. It bites you in the end. And it’s all part of being human.
From Stories to Sense-Making: Ethical AI as a Learning Practice
Across education and organizational learning, AI is no longer a future topic — it is already shaping how we learn, teach, assess and make sense of knowledge. Yet many institutions experience a gap between policy discussions and lived reality. We talk about AI, but we rarely listen with those who are already navigating its everyday implications.
Learning in the Fast Lane: From Speeding to Smarter Training
What began as a long drive to visit my son, followed by an unexpected speeding ticket, turned into a surprising lesson in human behavior and learning design. In the end, what started as a frustrating moment on the road became a catalyst for rethinking the “how” of helping others learn.
An Unofficial Guide to Cheating With AI
Having endured several years of educators and workplace learning colleagues whining about learners using AI to cheat, I thought I’d better get to it myself. We all know that the greatest concerns about something come from those who know little about the thing. My thinking was to explore the ragged boundaries of dis-AI-honesty. What better place to start than with the dreaded New York Times puzzles, specifically Connections, which I have played each morning for years to keep my aging synapses firing.
Human–AI Collaboration: What Are Gen Zs Saying?
The anticipated growth of generative AI calls for collaborative approach to human-gen AI interaction. Gen Zs, in my business economics forecasting course at Penn State Lehigh Valley, reacted positively about their first human-gen AI collaboration in my courses. They have recognized the importance of prompt engineering skills for achieving the targeted outcomes in collaboration with AI…
Ready, Set, Thrive: Building a Workforce for the Future!
While enjoying my research-cation during this holiday season, reflecting on the past years and looking toward the future got me to wonder: What can we do to be future-ready? What did we learn from the past that can support the future? What can we provide as educational leaders and trainers to build a future-ready workforce that is adaptable, collaborative, and aligned with long-term goals?
Evaluating Leadership Development: From Satisfaction to Lasting Impact
The success of leadership development programs is often measured by how satisfied participants are with their experience. While satisfaction is important, it doesn't tell the whole story. Can we say a program is successful just because participants enjoyed the sessions? True leadership development goes beyond enjoyment—it aims to foster real growth, behavioral changes, and lasting impact within organizations. Measuring that impact, however, requires a more comprehensive approach.
Balancing Human and AI Collaboration in Education
The Human Touch in AI-Enhanced Teaching
The world of education has been buzzing with excitement and concern about the role of artificial intelligence in courses. Some have heralded AI as the future of education, while others have expressed concerns about losing the human elements that make teaching effective. But, as is often the case, the truth tends to be somewhere in-between. The real promise of artificial intelligence in education comes when it is viewed not as a replacement for human teaching but rather as an enhancement of our native powers as teachers. And as we go on with this transformation, there has become a need for a balance between technological efficiency and human touch.