Linda B. Nilson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linda B. Nilson is an American author, public speaker, and academic.[1] She is the founding director emeritus of the Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation at Clemson University.[2]
She is known for her contributions to teaching strategies, course design, and faculty development.[3]
Her work has focused on active learning (in-person and online), critical thinking, leading discussions, and self-regulated learning.[4] She invented specifications grading, an alternative grading system.[5]
Nilson completed her undergraduate studies in sociology at the University of California, Berkeley, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.[6] She then pursued graduate studies in sociology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she earned both her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.[7] To support her graduate education, Nilson was awarded a National Science Foundation Fellowship.[8]
Academic career
Nilson began her academic career as a sociology professor at the University of California, Los Angeles.[1] During her tenure, she was selected to establish and supervise her department’s Teaching Assistant (TA) Training Program, marking her entry into the field of educational development.[3]
Before joining Clemson University, Nilson directed teaching centers at Vanderbilt University and the University of California, Riverside.[9]
At Clemson University, Nilson founded the Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation, where she trained faculty in publishing scholarly articles and books in addition to teaching and assessment.[10] She has held leadership positions in various organizations, including the Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network in Higher Education,[11] Toastmasters International, Mensa, and the Southern Regional Faculty and Instructional Development Consortium.[12]
