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

Instructor Presence

Robert, I have done this different ways, but I have also asked myself this question.... If the students can read the material, watch recordings and submit meaningful assignments that clearly show that they understand the material and can apply it to real world situations in a meaningful way, should I penalize them for not attending live sessions that might conflict with their busy lives? Isn't that why they might be taking the online classes anyway? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

David, And I believe that timely feedback should be personalized to their work, not just a number grade on an assignment. The qualitative feedback to our students is what helps them to improve and do better. If they don't know WHAT they did wrong, how can they get better? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Engaging Learners in Discussion

Emily , Very well articulated. Thanks for your comments on this topic, I agree in many ways. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Emily , Very nice. I like how you include expectations for you as well as the students. I believe that is important. Students should have some expectations for us and our part in the course. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Ty, Do you adjust their grade for each resubmit, or can they just turn in a very minimal assignment every time get feedback and go fix it to ensure an A on the assignment and double your workload on grading etc.? How is your policy written? Is there a downside to allowing unlimited resubmits? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Ty, So Ty, if they won't get an A on everything, how do you as in instructor inform them what they should expect to get and how they can earn an A on every assignment if they work at it? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Ramona, Well put. I would agree with your ratio and rationale. I have also found that 15-20 seems to be an optimal number for most online courses I teach. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Penelope, Can you explain what you mean by a huge storm can really put a damper on things - relative to the optimal online student-instructor ratio?? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Dona, Your estimated optimal online student-instructor ratio is very similar to others that have responded. Based on my own experience I would agree with your estimates. I would say that the course design and structure (as you mentioned about forums) can also impact the number of students in the course as well as even the type and level of the course content. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Engaging Learners in Discussion

Penelope, Others have mentioned that they do this as well but were concerned that the students were not using these additional resources. Do you have any way to track their use of these resources and whether they are using them or not? Herbert Brown III

End of Content