(Update: March 20th: per the story below, I traveled to Washington Corrections Centre a week ago to attend the Pi Day event and give a 30-minute presentation to the 60 or so inmates who attended. There were three other presentations besides mine and they were thoughtful and engaging. For my presentation I shared five points […]
There exists a passion for comprehension, just as there exists a passion for music. That passion is rather common in children, but gets lost in most people later on. Without this passion, there would be neither mathematics nor natural science. – ‘Ideas and Opinions’ essay by Dr. Albert Einstein in Scientific American, 1950 I don’t […]
(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 […]
An article of mine: ‘Your story, your life, your learning: Autobiography reveals basis for supporting personalized, holistic pedagogy’ is now published in the (peer-reviewed) Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education (Vol. 2, no. 1). Basically, the article summarizes my recent PhD research and links my findings – that learning is more subjective or personal than […]
I highly recommend The Myth of Normal – CBC ‘Ideas’ podcast – a 2-part series on CBC’s ‘Ideas’ that includes many insights from authors I reference in my ‘Neurobiology and Learning‘ course in Antioch University’s Individual Masters Program (online): Temple Grandin, Gabor Maté, Thomas Armstrong, and others talking about the need for accepting and expanding […]
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, […]
“Each of us has some genius to bring to life and each life is a meaningful story trying to unfold from within.” – Michael Meade, ‘The Genius Myth’ Michael Meade is spot on. The veteran cultural anthropologist and author shows in myriad ways in his 2016 book, The Genius Myth how our birthright is […]
The start of a new year is a good time to consider a new learning path or plan for the coming year. What’s yours? What are you most curious about? What are you committed to exploring or investigating? This decision is yours to covet, just as it is for everyone. After all, each of us […]
“It is of the first importance not to allow your judgment to be biased by personal qualities.” – Sherlock Holmes, ‘The Sign of Four’ With a nod to Benedict Cumberbatch, couch potatoes (guilty as charged) are enjoying a renaissance of the world’s finest detective, the sleuth of sleuths who cracks criminal cases seemingly as tight […]
According to developmental psychologists, the foundation of human imagination emerges in childhood and its lifelong trajectory reflects the nature of the support that nurtures it during this time. Bolster a young child’s budding imagination at home or in school with encouragement and she will sense this and accept more risks in whatever activities and challenges […]
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.
