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

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

James, Interesting view of online learning and its effectiveness. Some would argue that it is effective for some, but others need a stronger social element to learning provided by face to face learning. What about specific training in technical fields? Do you want a surgeon working on you if they have done all "virtual" work...they have logged 500 hours in the simulator, is that enough to do the real thing on you? Just playing devils advocate. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

James, Well put, these are all vital criteria for figuring optimal ratios. The key point is there is no one ratio that fits all courses and content. The 15-20 seems to fit many courses. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Susan, I agree schools need to focus on the basics; however, some of these online learning tools could easily be used to help remediate students through their academic preparation and ensure they have the basic education they need to be successful and still be technologically literate as well. Most jobs today require these technology skills and are vital to their success in jobs. Most of the training in business is going online or technologically delivered and therefore they need to be ready for that as well. We need to find the proper mix and balance of all of these elements… >>>

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Assisting the Online Student

Dr. Cecil, Good strategies to get the wayward student to connect back with the class. I don't advertise the waiving of late penalties either; however, if the student makes the effort to connect with me and work to get back on track, I don't typically penalize them. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Susan, Your comments to me would suggest that we might need to incorporate more online learning experiences for our students in at least High School so they are prepared for higher education. The reality that higher education is using more online tools and offering more online programs suggest to me that we need to properly prepare these students to be successful. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Susan, I agree that online will probably not completely replace traditional; however, many students today complete their entire degree successfully and never have a traditional class or face to face meeting. Many of these students from quality programs still would report that they feel a part of the community of learners (if done well). Many programs also use video conferencing and other synchronous learning tools to maintain that face to face connection. Times are changing, but some programs and students will still want a traditional experience. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Dr. Cecil, Good points, thanks for sharing and absolutely Go Hokies and Mountaineers!! Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors - 2

Bret, Good way to address this scenarios. I like how you were positive and supporting to the students in all of your solutions. I have found that online students sometimes need a little more assistance especially on the front end as they adjust to this new learning style. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Kevin, What about educational programs that have a very heavy skills component? Do you want to be operated on by a doctor that has only done online "virtual" surgeries? What about the person who takes your blood at the doctor's office or in the hospital, is it ok for them to read about how to do it and do some virtual sticks before you hire them to actually stick people? Just playing Devil's advocate... Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Ricardo, You can over time learn to read student communications or lack there of in a similar way to body language in a physical classroom. It does take time and is not perfect, but you can start to pick up subtleties with students and engage them with questions and request feedback when they appear to be disconnecting or are misunderstanding something. Herbert Brown III

End of Content