Why is it that some people can’t see past their own nose? There are so many brilliant, creative, forward-thinking people in our lives every day. It seems that the one person who just can’t get out of their own box clogs up the works.

I spent the day at a Rutgers University event focusing on online and hybrid learning. I felt like a sponge just soaking up the information and technology that I can be part of and take advantage of in the teaching I do and with other aspects of my

Dr. Jeff Borden, Pearson – Innovative thinker

personal and professional life. At the one seminar offered by Dr. Jeff Borden, Director of the Center for Online Learning at Pearson, he had the 50 or so people in the seminar break into groups organized by discipline. We had to come up with creative ways that we would potentially have students solve a problem. This woman responded to the group, ” Well, I’ll have them write a research paper and give a presentation.” The woman behind her said, “I think he wants us to think OUTSIDE the box.” Hooray! The rest of the people in the group certainly got it.

Innovative thinkers push the envelope – and those of us willing – can catch on quickly and run with those great innovations that are just one thought away.