Christian Bisson

About Christian

BS, Universite de Sherbrooke, Quebec; MS, Northern Illinois University; EdD, University of Northern Colorado

Christian has worked in outdoor education with a variety of populations, from young offenders in wilderness therapy programs, to middle and high school students in outdoor education residential programs, to young adults in college academic program, to seniors in Elderhostel outdoor programs. Since 1990 he has worked seasonally for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) primarily teaching Outdoor Educator courses. He has taught and led expeditions all over North America from northern Quebec to Alaska, from northern Ontario to Arizona, as well as a service learning expedition in Nepal. His personal outdoor travels have led him to the Canadian and American Rockies, Australia and New Zealand.

At PSU, Christian teaches classes in canoeing, wilderness expedition, adventure leadership and instruction, as well as theory classes in adventure education, such as risk management and outdoor activity related law, teaching theories and methods, and human-nature relationship. His academic interests include outdoor teacher training, effective outdoor pedagogy, and outdoor curriculum design. He is currently working on an instructor handbook on effective teaching strategies used in outdoor education.

Programs of Study

• Adventure Education
• Health Education

Courses Taught in Adventure Education

• AP2010 ­– Foundations of Adventure Education
• AP2210 – Adventure Education Teaching Theories & Methods
• AP2800 – Technology in Wilderness Expedition
• AP3101 – Immersion – Wilderness Expedition
• AP3110 – Challenge Course Fundamentals
• AP3301 – Immersion – Adventure Leadership & Group Management
• AP3510 – Outdoor Skills Clinical
• AP3201 – Human-Nature Relationship
• AP4200 – Teaching Assistantship in Adventure Education
• AP4600 – Risk Management in Adventure Education

Certifications

• AMGA Top Rope Instructor
• ACA Flat Water Instructor
• Project Adventure PE Instructor
• Leave No Trace – Master Educator
• NOLS Instructor
• Maine Guide Master
• Wilderness First Responder
• CPR / AED

Awards

• 2013 Distinguished Teaching Award: Plymouth State University
• 1999 Outstanding Teaching Award: Northland College
• 1998 Momentum Award: Northland College
• 1997 Outstanding Experiential Teacher of the Year Award: Association for Experiential Education

Degrees

Ed.D. Physical Education (Pedagogy): University of Northern Colorado
M.Sc. Outdoor Teacher Education: Northern Illinois University
B.Sc. Physical Education / Outdoor Concentration: Université de Sherbrooke