About

Hello, my name is Kim Johnson. I’m an instructional designer, Director of Esports, and adjunct instructor for computer science (game design) and interdisciplinary studies at John Brown University. In 2022, I completed my Doctor of Education in Educational Technology at Boise State University.  I also earned my Master of Educational Technology from Boise State University and my B.S.E. in Early Childhood Education from John Brown University in 2007. My past experience includes classroom teaching, as well as teaching and coaching in virtual settings. Additionally, I’m a Google Certified Educator, Quality Matters coordinator, and peer reviewer.

As an instructional designer and educational technologist, I’m excited about designing engaging, effective, and efficient online and connected/blended learning experiences and environments for students and instructors. Most of the time, this includes using some sort of technology. Additional areas of interest include AI, VR/AR, multimedia production, Universal Design for Learning, collegiate esports leadership, gamification and game design, personalized professional development, and leadership.

My interest in esports began in 2018 at Boise State, where I started following the university’s esports program, which was pioneered by one of my professors, Dr. Chris Haskell. Since that time, I have been collaborating with staff and students to bring about an esports program at John Brown University. We began by hosting a couple of campus tournaments in the spring of 2020 and became a club sport in 2021, experiencing growth from 11 students to 67 students and increasing from two game titles to six game titles across two leagues. In the fall of 2023, JBU Esports became a varsity sport within JBU Athletics. The program includes around 70 players and ten game titles. Our home is a state-of-the-art esports arena with 20 PCs, four consoles, a casting desk, a streaming room, and seating for 70. 

Even my dissertation research project was overtaken by esports – Lived Experiences of Women in Collegiate Esports Leadership. The project was incredibly enlightening, and I’ve applied that knowledge in my role as Director of Esports.

I’m passionate about learning, fitness, technology, traveling, and photography, but most of all, I love spending time with my family.