John Boyer
My teaching philosophy is simple: make it accessible, and make it relevant.
Having achieved these two critical components, I do not have to make my classes interesting or entertaining or funny--that naturally takes care of itself. I am extremely lucky in that the material I teach is basic, yet highly sought after. In terms of approach, this strategy is simple: make the topics and information accessible via all means possible, and make them relevant and meaningful to people’s real lives. My job is actually quite easy because students have a natural tendency to want to learn about the world that is affecting their lives. Once I provide the structure to help them make sense of an unfathomable amount of information—thus, making it accessible—the students connect to it in their own personal lives—making it relevant.
Research Interests:
- Geography of Wine
- Global Studies
- Agricultural Geography
- Educational technology
- Regional Geography
Education:
- M.S. - Virginia Tech, 1998
- B.A. - Virginia Tech, 1996
- World Regions (GEOG 1014)
- Geography of Wine (GEOG 4054)
- Geography of East Asia (GEOG 3254)
- Geography of the Middle East
- Students' Choice Award for Faculty Member of the Year, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, sponsored by the Student Alumni Associates.
- University Sporn Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching Introductory Subjects. 2002
- National Council for Geographic Education: Distinguished Teaching Achievement Award for 2002.
On-Line Cross-College Student Exercises for Geography 1014
Sponsor: College of Arts & Sciences, Virginia Tech
Invetigator(s): Boyer, J.
Amount: $12,430
2000-2001
Geoclimatological classification of viticulture potential in North Carolina.
Sponsor: North Carolina Grape Council
Investigator(s): Boyer, J., Wolf, T.
Amount: $16,500
1999-2000
Geoclimatological Classification Model Development for Viticulture Potential in Virginia.
Sponsor: Virginia Winegrowers Advisory Board
Investigator(s): Boyer, J., Wolf, T.
Amount: $11,000
1997-1998