About
Hello,
In 2023, I completed my PhD in the faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University (Vancouver, Canada), focusing on the subjective or idiosyncratic nature of (human learning). My research supports the rise of personalized/ personalizing Learning across all areas of learning.
Professional Background: I have worked for 30-plus years as an innovative educator, researcher, coach, workshop leader, tutor and author. Frustrated as a classroom-based teacher, I co-founded helped lead the award-winning, innovative SelfDesign and Virtual High Learning Communities in BC Canada (2002 and 1993, respectively).
Awards:In 2021 I received an SFU Fellowship award supporting my PhD research and in 2019 I received a MITACS financial award in 2020 for a research project evaluating personalized learning survey instruments I designed. In 2007, I received a Prime Minister’s Award (Canadian federal government) and an award of merit from the BC Ministry of Education for my work in helping launch and grow SelfDesign.
My special focus as an educator has been nurturing and advocating personalized, holistic learning- as informed by neurobiological science – and I am committed to serving the emotional wellness and balance of clients, learners and families. My book, Learn Your Way! was published by SelfDesign Learning Systems Inc. in 2012 and soon commended as a middle and high school text in schools in British Columbia.
Since 2000, I have designed and lead numerous workshops and courses on Neurobiology and Learning, and I presently lead a course in this subject as an adjunct faculty member for the Individualized Masters program (IMA) of Antioch University (online). Education
Formal Education
- PhD – Simon Fraser University (Vancouver BC Canada), 2023; Faculty of Education
- MA – SFU, 1997; Faculty of Education
- BEd – Queen’s University, 1987; Science and English specialization
- BA – Toronto Metropolitan University, 1985; Journalism
- BSc – University of British Columbia, 1981; Geology and Chemistry
Additional Professional Development
- Various Research, Writing & Data-Management workshops – SFU
- DIR Floortime (certification, level 1; 2015)
- ‘EdWeb’ webinars – numerous: Personalized Learning, Special Education, Gamification,
- Interpersonal Neurobiology (x 4 courses); UCLA, Dr. Daniel Siegel
- Special Education – various workshops and certifications
Publications
– I write
my blog, Learn Your Way, through my website:
michaelmaser.net
– PhD (completed, August 2023; Simon Fraser University, Faculty of Education):
‘Insight-out: A phenomenological exploration of the nature and appearance of learning‘
plus …
- (pending) journal article: Your story, your life, your learning: Auto/biography reveals basis for supporting personalized holistic pedagogy; Journal of Holistic and Contemplative Education
- (in press) book chapter: ‘Personalized Learning’ in ‘Implementing Transformative Student-Centred Learning Practices’
- journal article: ‘Personal Ecolography surveying to better personalize pedagogy’; Holistic Education Review (fall 2021)
- Where the sidewalk ends: Reanimating relationality with the natural world on the modern campus; Journal of Environmental and Architectural Phenomenology; 32 (2); pp 13-16 (2021)
- Machines can’t personalize education; only people can do that. The Conversation (May 2021)
- Seeking to Engage. SFU Educational Review (Fall 2020)
- Learning Your Way (blog, since 2005)
- SelfDesign Essential Elements course for SelfDesign Graduate Institute (2016)
- Gold Mad (novel, published 2013, MW Books; see Amazon.com)
- Learn Your Way! (book, 2012, SelfDesign Learning Systems Inc.)
- Numerous resource modules for learners to assist with stress reduction, testing, optimizing learning, communication, personal ecology, SelfDesigning
- Georgia Straight (feature writer, 20 articles, 1997-2002; education, health and natural resource focus)
- Vancouver Sun (11 Op-Ed columns, education focus, 1993-2012)
- News reporting: Ottawa Citizen, Science Dimension magazine, Canadian Science News Service (numerous articles)
- Blue Energy Canada Inc. (Communications Director, 1997 – 2006)
- Coast Garibaldi Health Services (Eat Up food guide)
- Western Canada Wilderness Committee (3 special reports)
- Carleton Productions (documentary scriptwriter, “The Right To Be You” series)
- BSc thesis (1981, Geology, UBC)
Projects
+
Learn Your Way column in
Prison Math Project newsletter (for inmates incarcerated in US prisons and correctional facilities); column offers insights and strategies to help inmates overcome learning challenges
+ Mentor:
Cool School (AKA
Try a Trade); Woodshop mentor/instructor, Elphinstone Secondary School, Gibsons BC; weekly after-school drop-in program for kids and adults (mentor since 2016)
+ Copy Editor:
Watershed Sentinel environmental magazine serving Pacific northwest and beyond.
Memberships
–
Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology; Simon Fraser University
–
BC College of Teachers; Permanent Certificate (good standing, 2023)
– general member,
ASCD (Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development)
– previous: general member,
Learning and the Brain Society
