In the coming Spring Session (starting early January) I am leading a new offering through Continuing Education, Antioch University: the Individualized Research Project comprising two half-term courses: ‘Introduction to Research Fundamentals‘ and ‘Advanced Research Project.’ In course one I will be supporting students in developing a research proposal (course one) and in course two I […]
(nb – NOV. 2024: This course will be offered via Cont. Ed., Antioch University (online) in the Spring session starting in early January. See my post of November 12th for more details. I will bring this message forward later in November. – MMaser) The real work of humanity at this time may be to awaken […]
In crafting a literature review for my PhD dissertation on the subject of learning, certain researchers and authors jumped out at me. I was fascinated to know about Frederick Winslow Taylor and his theory of ‘scientific management’ that girded the automation of modern education. ‘Taylorism’, as it was known, forged the way for standardized curricula, […]
In late June, at this year’s AERO (Alternative Education Resource Organization), I gave a presentation on my late colleague, friend and mentor, Brent Cameron, who passed in 2012. Yes, it’s been ten years since Brent passed, but I continue to admire his many contributions to education – especially alternative education – and I think he’s […]
At the start of this brave new year we are awakening to a cold, harsh reality: much information circulating and posing as reliable news is fake. Bogus. Drivel. A load of cowpucky. Such stories are intentionally created to first hook our attention and then lead us into a false (fake) narrative that seeks to spark […]
In SelfDesign Learning Community – the innovative school I helped co-found in British Columbia in 2002 – our praxis is to support learning in all its shapes, forms and guises. And since we started we have come to recognize that learning is as varied as each learner. To educators and parents perhaps it comes as […]
Summer has given me a chance to catch up on various reading and PD projects, which have all been very worthwhile! I’ve posted a few quick insights below. First up, to match my growing interest in gamifying learning – that is, applying elements of gaming to learning and education processes – I read Actionable Gamification […]
Arising as regular as the whine of summer mosquitos are now annualized calls by school administrators and educators warning parents of the “summer slide“. The “summer slide” isn’t a fixture in the local playground but an imaginary bogey man that, allegedly, causes students to forget what they learned the previous spring in school. Believers in […]
It’s amazing what a good look in the mirror and a fresh coat of paint can do to revive almost-forgotten projects. On January 29th, the BC Ministry of Education convened a remarkable forum at the Wosk Centre with headline speakers and a gallery of people from business, educational and social interests. The forum was staged […]
“Medieval“: pertaining to the Middle or Dark Ages, a period characterized by primitive practices shaped by ill-formed knowledge. Our society has evolved in remarkable ways in my lifetime, inspiring me to believe that human beings just might squeak through to survive another century or millennium. We have extended life expectancies, we have scientifically detailed the […]
Michael’s book, Learn Your Way! SelfDesigning the Life You Really Want, Starting Now is an ERAC-approved middle and high school textbook for career planning and health education courses (British Columbia), and it has received many endorsements. Contact Michael directly to obtain a pdf copy of the book.
