It has come to pass. After six years – including personal challenges and a global pandemic (!) – I have successfully completed and defended my PhD at Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada. I’m still in a bit of shock (the good kind) and very grateful to be savouring life on the ‘other side of the […]
It’s happening – I’m now scheduled to defend my PhD research dissertation on Tuesday August 22nd, starting at 9 am (PST). Yay! It’s taken a lot of work to get here and I endured some epic challenges along the way: major health injury and surgery, Covid pandemic, other personal-family issues, and still I completed it! […]
This spring I’ve joined the team of the (US-based) Prison Math Project as a contributing writer-educator. The PMP is an amazing project, the brainchild of inmate and math prodigy Christopher Havens. My initial contribution will be through a Learn Your Way column to appear in issues of the PMP newsletter, that publishes about three times […]
It was an interesting year – 1924. 99 years ago. Astronomer Edwin Hubble discovered the Andromeda galaxy, the tomb of King Tut was revealed in Egypt, and the first automated teaching machine was invented by Sidney Pressey, a young psychologist at Ohio State University. These three events share a thread linking to notions of human […]
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 […]
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 […]
I am in disbelief – this month marks ten years since my friend and mentor of many years, Brent Cameron, died in Nelson British Columbia after a lengthy fight with cancer. I wish to honour Brent with some thoughts on this anniversary. If you are associated in some way with Wondertree, Virtual High, SelfDesign Learning […]
Below is an excerpt from a book chapter I’ve submitted for ‘Implementing Transformative Student-Centred Pedagogies’ (slated for pub later this year). While the writing is focused on post-secondary education, the guidance is equally applicable to K-12 and Adult Ed. – mm Covid-19 & Personalized Learning: Beginning in spring 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted higher education […]
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 numerous endorsements: “Learn Your Way is terrific.” – Dr. Maurice Gibbons, author, The Self-Directed Learning Handbook
