Mike’s Education Portfolio
Thoughts / Design by Mike Simpson
Welcome to My Education Blog and Portfolio
Design and Writing by Mike Simpson
My Skills and Experience
Teaching and Training
I’m a teacher and trainer. I’ve designed learning in higher ed, created workshops and training materials for non-profits, and built online courses and communities.
Web and E-Learning
Creating websites, e-learning and digital communications is a key focus, along with building and managing social media channels and blogs.
Design and Media
Bringing an artistic touch is important to my work in graphics, video and media production. I work as a writer, editor, curator and digital publisher
Bio of a Learner
I’m a life-long learner – I’m always asking “What’s next?”
I started teaching in 2002, after I graduated with a TESL Diploma from CCLCS (Canadian Centre for Language and Cultural Studies). I have taught English privately, and for colleges and LINC schools in Greater Toronto.
I’m also a trainer and I teach Design – Media at the college level. Schools I’ve worked at include Centennial College, George Brown College, CCLCS, St. Stephen’s and PLI (Pacific Language Institute). I offer tutoring freelance via my site CanadaTutor.ca.
Recent courses or programs I’ve undertaken:
- 2021-present – Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Certificate, Centennial College
- 2016-2017 – E-Learning Certificate, University of Toronto
- 2015 – Post-TESL Certificate, ELT/OSLT course, Humber College
What’s next now? I’m interested in topics such as andragogy (adult learning) and UX design (user experience). Keeping up with new ideas is important to me. Read on to view articles I’ve written on topics across the realms of culture, tech, and education.
Blog and Publications
I love taking free online courses (and a few paid ones too!). There's nothing like diving into a new topic, checking out resources by experts, and getting your head wrapped around some fresh ideas. It's also fun, if you're like me, to see what top online courses look...
Article by Mike Simpson Overview NotebookLM (Google NotebookLM) is a research and note-taking online tool developed by Google Labs that uses artificial intelligence (AI), specifically Google Gemini, to assist users in interacting with their documents. It can...
Can WordPress be used as an LMS (Learning Management System) and host my training resources or online courses?
In summary: WordPress (WP) is the most powerful website building platform in the world. And it's the most popular at 40% market share. Via plugins, users can create any kind of site they want, including membership sites, online communities and course-based sites for...
My site, Ancestry Project, won the “Digital Innovation” award for “Teaching or Learning Resource” from TESL Canada at their annual conference in 2017,
My work involved building a membership-based website, researching topics, and writing and designing the teacher resources. Educators have access to PDFs for print or digital use, and registration is free. This work involved collaboration with other creators, including a Toronto based ESL publisher.
Inspiration and Dedication
Why Learn Teach as a philosophy?
Since about 2016, when I started using “Learn” or “Learn Teach” as my education portfolio name, I have wanted to share my thoughts about learning, teaching, culture, design and education. My education-themed blog posts arrived after I completed the most recent certificate in my learning journey: “E-Learning” at the U of T. That was an inspirational program, as the courses fostered in me a recognition that “education tech” is a valid skill for a teacher to have in the 21st century.
Originally I founded the mikesimpson.ms site to be a portfolio and blog. As time passed I have developed interests in photography and web design, which I apply toward education development. I’ve built multiple sites, designed courses and taught them, in person and online.
This site permits me to humbly share my discoveries with the world, and I’m grateful you could stop by and spend some time here.
Dedication: About my first teacher
My mother, and my first teacher, passed in 2003. Sadly she was just 58 years old. She was a school teacher before giving up her career to become a homemaker. I am grateful for everything she gave me and my brothers and our family. I dedicate this site and portfolio to Margaret “Peggy” Simpson.
Current Work and Projects
Where I work and what I’m working on (e-learning and lifelong learning)
I am now working as an ESL teacher, design instructor, and freelance designer / e-learning developer. I have worked at schools like U of T, CCLCS, George Brown and Centennial College in Toronto. I freelance from my home office.
Last year, I completed my second course in the TLHE or “Teaching and Learning in Higher Education” certificate program at Centennial. In the new year I look forward to taking a third course. Taking courses is part of my mission to keep up to date with best practises and current educational theory.
I am not new to continuing education, as I completed the E-Learning certificate at U of T just a few years ago. Speaking of which, applying all my learning into the practice of developing courses and digital learning materials is one of my goals. I have my own Moodle and WordPress sites where I’ll be developing course materials with various interactive and assessment tools.
Big thanks for reading this far! Appreciate your visit and please be sure to get in touch!
Please reach out – I’d love to hear from you!