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John Boyer

Senior Instructor

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