The California Consortium for Independent Study (CCIS) is a statewide professional organization supporting educators, schools, and programs that serve students through independent study.
I became involved with CCIS more than a decade ago, initially as a conference presenter sharing ideas and practices from my work at Oak Park Independent School. That involvement gradually expanded into organizational leadership: I joined the Extended Board, later served as Secretary and Vice President, and became President in July 2026.
CCIS has given me opportunities to learn from colleagues throughout California, contribute to professional development, advocate for independent study, and help strengthen educational options for students whose needs are not always well served by traditional school settings.
For more than a decade, I have presented workshops and professional-development sessions for educators on independent study, assessment, grading, instructional practice, educational technology, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence. I have also developed workshops for students on learning, memory, attention, and decision-making. The resources below represent a selected sample of that work.
New to Independent Study: CCIS Boot Camp - Daniel O'Brien and Kate Perry discuss the history of Independent Study (IS) and outline the necessary skills teachers and administrators who are new to IS need to be successful and to thrive.
Innovations in Independent Studies: Best Practices for Special Education - Daniel O'Brien and Machele Kilgore take a closer look at the unique challenges for Special Education students in an IS setting.
How I Hacked Your Brain — In this OPIS workshop, I share with students the research-based techniques I utilized to foster their native creativity when engaging in in-depth research and writing a research paper
VIDEO link - May 20, 2026
My 2015 master’s thesis, completed with Helya Sahami and Ryan Persinger at Concordia University Irvine, examined how student-centered learning could promote critical-thinking skills in the 21st-century classroom. The project explored approaches such as inquiry, collaboration, authentic problem-solving and student choice rather than relying primarily on passive instruction.
This research helped shape much of my subsequent teaching at OPIS, particularly my emphasis on substantial student research projects, independent thinking and work that requires students to investigate, evaluate evidence and communicate their conclusions. It also influenced my long-running collaboration with my OPIS colleague, Mr. De Long, to ensure that all of our high-school students complete meaningful research projects.
Read: Integrating Student-Centered Learning to Promote Critical Thinking Skills in the 21st Century Classroom. W. Daniel O’Brien, Ryan Persinger and Helya Sahami, 2015
In addition to teaching and presenting, I have written about independent study, education, instructional practice and related professional issues. The pieces below represent a selected sample of that work.
The Top 10 Reasons We Need to Teach AI in our Classrooms - What the research shows about the need for educators to teach students how to use AI ethically and effectively in preparation for college and careers after high school.
Current Concerns in Education Regarding AI - An look at both the promise and the problems of AI in education, including privacy, equity, bias, digital literacy, academic integrity and the need to preserve the essential human relationship between teachers and students.
Music has been a central part of my life and professional work for decades. I have worked as a guitarist, composer, arranger, band director and music educator, and I founded the instrumental music program at Walnut Canyon Elementary School in Moorpark. Although my current teaching extends across many subjects, music continues to shape how I think about creativity, discipline, collaboration, performance and learning.
The pieces below represent a small selection of my work as a composer and guitarist, including orchestral recordings performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and several original guitar works. These works can be heard on Daniel O'Brien's SoundCloud account.
O'Brien's "Orchestral Suites" were recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra and recorded at Abbey Road Studios. They bring to life epic tales of vast unexplored territories and the heroic spirit of adventure and conquest.
Descriptions by Gina Gold
Solo fingerstyle guitar pieces:
Az En Katitám - A romantic solo guitar piece written for my wife, Katalin
Blues for Huddie - This track was inspired by the life and music of Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter
'90s-style shred-metal guitar pyrotechnics:
Stevie Thing - Eclectic shred metal. Listen carefully for quotes from Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" and an allusion to Beethoven's 5th!
Guitars & Bass: Daniel O'Brien
Drums: Mick Fleetwood. Yes. That Mick Fleetwood
Engineer: Curt Piar
I have also written about practical issues in music and media, including copyright and licensing for filmmakers.