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 […]
The link below will connect to a paper of mine recently published in the Holistic Education Review, Fall 2021 issue. The paper, Evaluating Personal Ecolography surveying to help personalize learning – is based on a 2020 – 2021 MITACS-sponsored research project I completed. This research was helped along by 18 participants – all professional, practising […]
As we muddle along into the second year of pandemic-shaped schooling, I’ve seen much discussion among educators split over a belief that kids ‘fell behind’ or ‘vaulted ahead’ in their learning trajectories last year. They think kids spent either last year hiding in their bedrooms staring at walls when they weren’t making meaningless Tik Tok […]
August 2021 – now recruiting PhD research participants I am now seeking 8 – 10 youth, ages 14 – 18 years, as participants for my PhD research. In my research I am neither testing nor creating theory, but exploring, via phenomenological methodology, learning experiences as they arise for, and engage students/youth. Such experiences may arise […]
I recently drafted a chapter on Personalized Learning and Higher Education for a forthcoming text book; below is the conclusion I wrote. Conclusions and Future Directions For decades, conventional, higher education pedagogical practice in higher education has been bound to a standardized, rationalized process, a product of the Enlightenment and its more recent handmaiden, neoliberalism. […]
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
