Bringing History to Life at LBCC
by John Rosales
Robert Harrison is not your typical instructor; with his bushy mustache and array of suspenders you would think he was a carpenter from “This Old Home” rather than a history teacher with a PhD, but from the moment you first walk into his class you know you're in for a unique experience.
Harrison is a professor of social science at Linn-Benton Community College and believes that having the students get involved in his lectures is an important part of the learning experience, “[I] want to be creative and do fun things…not just lecture.”
Harrison starts his lecture off with students telling him what happened on this day in history, while he jokes about the grisly facts that he encourages them to bring in. His lecture is not just him talking, but him darting a glance in students direction and nodding at them while encouraging them to get involved in the conversation.You can see the enjoyment he gets from learning pieces of history from his students and the excitment he has while he teaches them,always making sure to engage the students. His humor, while sometimes bordering on the macarbe, keeps the classes light-hearted and interesting.
Its his dedication to making students get involved that really shows in his classroom. He holds special classes dedicated to something he calls the Meeting of the Minds, which involves the students getting dressed up as a person from history and giving a presentation as that character . He hopes that this unique way of teaching will help to inspire his students not just to write down facts and dates but to really become involved with history.
Matt Johnson, a student at LBCC said about Harrison, "He knows the material really well...he's really enthusiastic about it and it makes
you want to be enthusiastic about it."
Mr. Harrison has been teaching at LBCC since 2006 but has been teaching college classes all over America for the past 22 years. He was born and raised in Tyler, Texas but has traveled extensively all over America. He received his doctorate from Ohio State University and taught in a variety of places ranging from New Jersey to Arkansas but eventually moved to Oregon and became an instructor at LBCC.
Mr. Harrison grew up in the South around many historical Civil War locations, which helped to spark his interest in history and is also one reason he became involved with local Civil War re-enactors. Taking students to these reenactments and having students learn about history, not just from reading a textbook, but from getting involved and seeing history in front of them has been one of the most enjoyable parts of his career.
Mr. Harrison described some of the difficulties that come with his unique teaching style, "I want students to write, I think that it helps them learn the material ...I think it's important for students to write and get feedback.” However, with class sizes as large as they are it’s hard for him to find the time he believes necessary “I want to spend more time prepping for class than grading papers.”
In his spare time Harrison enjoys a variety of passtimes including one of his favorites...jazzercize.
“I’ve been doing it for 25 years now…I love it...a friend dragged me to it and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Harrison does not just teach classes on campus but dedicates his time outside of class as well. Harrison is the advisor for the democracy club and has worked tirelessly to help the students fund educational trips. Not only has the club traveled to places like Greece but they have also been involved in many projects around campus including helping students get registered to vote.
Scott McAleer, professor of social science talked about harrison's dedication, "Robert does a tremendous amount of work...above and beyond his job; Weekends spent selling Christmas trees, garage sales, raffles, zombie dances. None of this is part of his job...it's something he does for the students."
It's his dedication to the students learning experience that really makes him one of the many unique instructors that teach at LBCC; making their experience not only educational but also memorable.
At A Glance:
Professor Robert Harrison
Social Science Instructor
Linn-Benton Community College
PhD: Ohio State University
Office: SSH 203
Classes:History 103,202,203. Humanities 102
Email:harrisr@linnbenton.edu
Very nice. I enjoy the description of the way he looks as well as his teaching style. The one thing that I think would be helpful to add is a little bit about his sense of humor. It's extremely funny and keeps the class session light hearted. He loves death and destruction as well as weird and interesting. Also, everyday he has 4 to 5 students do a "This Day in History" which allows students to get involved and stay active.
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