Brent Cameron

Brent Cameron is a Canadian educator and author, and the founder of the Wondertree Foundation for Natural Learning in Vancouver, British Columbia. Cameron is known as an advocate of natural learning, in which children are allowed to follow their own natural curiosity rather than an established curriculum. His efforts with both elementary and high school students have attracted widespread media attention.

Cameron’s book, SelfDesign Nurturing Genius Through Natural Learning, outlines a guiding methodology from the premise that children are natural learners. The book shares research and observations from over 20 years of praxis and provides a detailed description of his philosophy on working with children beyond the paradigm of teaching. As a new paradigm based on learning the book introduces many maps and models that delve into the epistemological aspects of learning incorporating neuro-linguistics, systems theory, cybernetics, neuro-biology, cognitive neuroscience, and family therapy into a comprehensive way to work with holisitc whole person learning within a community of learning. Since 1983 Cameron created experiments in a new learning paradigm by establishing learning communities called Wondertree Learning Centre (1983 -), Virtual High (1993-97) and SelfDesign Learning Community (2002-). During this time his work with learners won four national awards; (1989 - Northern Telecom Award for Teaching Innovation, 1991 - Marshall McLuhan Award for Excellence in Teaching, 1992 - Northern Telecom Award for Teaching Innovation and 2006 - Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Teaching. During this time his learners also won numerous local, regional and international awards for film making, computer programming, and sustainable learning community design. (BC Student Film Festivals, Apple Computer Award, BC Science Fairs, VanCity Award, CMHC Award, UNESCO Award Istanbul, Turkey, NeuroBiological Society, Hawaii).

Endorsements from book cover -

"Brent Cameron's Wondertree educational work ranks with Waldorf, Montessori and A.S. Neil's Summerhill, incorporating the best of each and going beyond them at the same time. Childhood is in crisis thoughout the United States and Canada, and here in this book lies an invaluable, practical and simple solution. May it be widely read and its wisdom heeded. Joseph Chilton Pearce, author of Magical Child

"SelfDesign is a superbly thought-provoking book - full of rich scholorship in accessible form. Cameron spices his theory with practical reflections based on insights taken from his own experience as a school founder-director and as a father. A very special book indeed.John Taylor Gatto, author of Dumbing Us Down

"SelfDesign is a landmark book that combines innovative theoretical thinking with sensible practice. It describes the journey of an extraordinarily talented teacher and draws a roadmap for others to follow. It lays foundations for trusting, empowering, and enfranchising our children."Dr. Pat Montgomery, Founder and Director Clonlara School

Books

*SelfDesign: Nurturing Genius Through Natural Learning, by Brent Cameron with Barbara Meyer, Sentient Publications, ISBN 1-59181-044-2

External Links and References

* [http://www.wondertree.org/ The Wondertree Foundation for Natural Learning]
* [http://educationrevolution.stores.yahoo.net/selfdesign.html/ Review of SelfDesign] at Education Revolution]
* [http://www.selfdesign.org/ SelfDesign Learning Community]