Doug Linde, Ph.D., scheduled to speak on experiential learning in turfgrass

Doug Linde, Ph.D., (right) with Delaware Valley University turf management students. (Photo: Delaware Valley University)

Doug Linde, Ph.D., Delaware Valley University professor of turf management, is scheduled to present on experiential learning at Bucks County Community College on Friday, May 31.

His presentation, “Converting a Lecture into an Experiential Learning Activity,” is part of the 2019 Faculty of the Future Conference, which will be held on Bucks County Community College’s Newtown Campus. The presentation will be from 10:30 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. in Gateway 205.

“One of the conference goals is for faculty to exchange ideas and best practices to improve student outcomes,” Linde said. “I have been attending the conference for the past five years and felt it was time to contribute to the conference as a presenter. I will be sharing ways that faculty can take a traditional lecture and convert it into an experiential learning activity where students learn some of the content through the activity. For today’s college student, traditional lecturing is not always the best way to learn.”

Linde has noticed his students are more engaged in learning when he takes them outside to observe and work on real projects and issues. He recently took a turf management class to a local golf course that was experiencing challenges on one of its golf holes. Students walked the course, recommended solutions and then were tasked with creating a budget for those solutions.

Through the University’s Experience360 program, 100 percent of students gain relevant, real-world experiences before graduation. The Experience360 Program was named the 2019 Outstanding Experiential Education Program by the National Society for Experiential Education.