Experential Educator
In a teaching field that's traditionally lecture-based, Concordia-Moorhead history chair and professor Dr. Linda Johnson is unusually quiet. Known across campus for her tendency to pose questions and wait patiently for students to speak up, Johnson is a firm believer in active learning opportunities in and out of the classroom.
Johnson approaches her history classes as labs and encourages her students to seek out internships, service learning opportunities and travel experiences that allow them to apply what they learn.
"Those experiences serve as a catalyst, drawing together many skills in a meaningful way," Johnson says. "It happens in the classroom, but to a far greater extent when experienced."
Johnson, who specializes in Asian studies, recently took a group of students to Japan for an Exploration Seminar. In addition to seeing the sites they learned about in class, they experienced the culture first-hand - from contemplating the way pedestrian traffic is incredibly organized at busy intersections to finding time for deep contemplation at a Zen garden.
Johnson continues to search for ways in which she can introduce students to experiential learning. Next year, Johnson and her husband, religion assistant professor Dr. Stewart Herman, will lead the CREDO honors semester in Crete, Greece.
