Herbert Brown III

Location: appalachian state university - boone, nc - usa

About me

Herb Brown is a professor and program director in the business and information technology education program at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. He directs the Graduate program in New Media/Global Education and Online Teaching and Learning at Appstate. He has taught information technology, instructional technology, and business education courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels for 20 years and served 10 years in the role of Director of Technology for several universities. He has held teaching and administrative positions at James Madison University, The University of Virginia's College at Wise, the University of South Carolina and Appalachian State University. He holds a Ph.D. in Vocational Education with a cognate in Computer Information Systems from Virginia Tech. His articles have appeared in Information Technology, Learning, and Performance Journal, EDUCAUSE Quarterly, and the NABTE Journal.

Interests

online teaching and learning, career and technical education, business & information technology education

Skills

online teaching and learning, teaching methodology, information technology education, web development/design

Website

http://edtech.appstate.edu

Activity

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Providing Feedback

Christopher, I do this in a writing course and the extra time is not too much of a burden and more importantly it is developmental for the students and it strengthens their skills. I have found it interesting though that many of the students that do a resubmit are the ones that already scored an A or B on the assignment, not the ones that just did minimal effort. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

John, That is also why we are seeing a large growth in the blended or hybrid learning environments to build on the best of both. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Scott, Can you be more specific, I am not sure I understand your complete argument. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Michael, Do you feel your ratio is a "hard" number or could that ratio vary depending on the course? What factors might influence that difference in ratio? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Scott, By setting the expectations you are in a sense establishing a contract with them. Therefore, I agree strongly with you that what you state in your expectations are non-negotiable and you as the instructor must meet your expectations as well as your students meeting theirs. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Christopher, Your ratio is pretty consistent with what others have reported; however, that can of course vary based on content of the course, design of the course and more. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Assisting the Online Student

Lisa, It seems all you can do is what you have done. There are times that students do not want to be reached and you certainly can't show up on their doorstep. It is our job to make every effort; however, the student has to want to be helped as well. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Lisa, I would argue that many aspects of the traditional classroom might go online, but many people still want the traditional in person experience and some career pathways require substantial in person skill building to be successful. Web hybrid and online might replace traditional, but it seems that some traditional elements might still need to remain. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Mike, I can see where your approach is very time consuming; however, I also know that it is likely VERY effective. I provide a lot of videos for my students as well and they always comment on the importance of those videos on their learning. Video is a very powerful tool in online courses (asynch or synch.) Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Virginia, I agree with much of what you mention. The student to student interaction is less as well if you have 10 or fewer. Many people report in that same 15-20:1 range is optimal, but even that can seem to differ depending on the structure, design, and content of the course being taught. Herbert Brown III

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