Rate My Professor Karen Johnson

Karen Johnson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Aviation Technologies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she has taught since 2005, covering general and airframe technologies for fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Before entering academia, she obtained her FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic’s certificate in 1998 and served as a base mechanic on Bell 206 helicopters for Air Evac Lifeteam. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology from Central Missouri State University in 1999, a Master of Science in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Southern Illinois University in 2007, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction from Southern Illinois University in 2020. Johnson also acts as Program Director for Aviation Technologies and has contributed to the development of the online Bachelor’s degree in the field.

Johnson’s research focuses on learning systems design and technologies applied to aviation technician training, particularly the creation of virtual reality simulations for aviation maintenance technicians (AMT). She has delivered faculty research flash talks on serious games in aviation maintenance training and collaborated on virtual reality training curricula. In professional service, she serves as Editor of the Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC) journal, has held multiple roles within ATEC, and was elected to a two-year term as Vice President. She received the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) Faculty Grant in 2022. Notable publications include “Serious Games in Aviation Maintenance Training” (2017), co-authorship of “Learning from the COVID-19 Pandemic: Improving Aviation Maintenance Technician Training” (2024), and editorial contributions to “Faculty and Administrator Credentials in FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools” (2023). Her work advances innovative training methods, enhancing aviation maintenance education and workforce development.