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Herbert Brown III

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
Herbert Brown III
Discussion Comment
The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Pamela , I agree with all of your statements. The optimal number does vary based on content, level, etc. which are also tied to the criteria and factors you mention. Since most courses have some level of student to student and student to instructor discussion and interaction, many people see 15-20 as an optimal number for courses with some level of interaction. The experience of the instructor can play a role; however, for a class with high interaction there are only enough hours in a day that can be used to respond to posts, etc. so there would still be… >>>

Herbert Brown III
Herbert Brown III
Discussion Comment
The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio
Michael, Do you think this number could vary? Are their factors that might influence the optimal number in an online course; what might some of those be? Herbert Brown III
Herbert Brown III
Herbert Brown III
Discussion Comment
Instructor Presence
Eugene, True, discussions can become overwhelming. Much of it comes down to the structure of the discussion. Posting an idea and students respond to it and other students posts, if they get too far down a new concept, start it (redirect) in a new discussion post to keep the value of that discussion at the forefront. Just one thought. Herbert Brown III
Herbert Brown III
Herbert Brown III
Discussion Comment
The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio
Robert, I agree that it is not the same for everyone or every course. However, I would be concerned about anyone that says they can handle many more students online than in the traditional classroom. It depends on the quality of the instruction. Quality online courses with appropriate interaction with students, etc. takes reasonable ratios, not 200:1 like some would suggest. Herbert Brown III
Herbert Brown III
Herbert Brown III
Discussion Comment
The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio
Christopher, This is the ratio that most people report 15-20:1 As you also mention it can vary based on a number of criteria including level and type of material/assignments. Writing courses should also have lower ratios. Herbert Brown III
Herbert Brown III
Herbert Brown III
Discussion Comment
Assisting the Online Student
Nashid, Communication, Communication, and more communication. Stay connected with your students early and often to try to alleviate their anxiety. If you know it is an anxious course, have extra help sessions, and ask the students what would make them less anxious. The main way to change their mindset is to convince them they can succeed and you are there to HELP them not fail them. Reassure them that you are there to help them through the process. Reach out to them personally when they are struggling...communication... Herbert Brown III
Herbert Brown III
Herbert Brown III
Discussion Comment
Assisting the Online Student
Nashid, Communication, Communication, and more communication. Stay connected with your students early and often to try to alleviate their anxiety. If you know it is an anxious course, have extra help sessions, and ask the students what would make them less anxious. The main way to change their mindset is to convince them they can succeed and you are there to HELP them not fail them. Reassure them that you are there to help them through the process. Reach out to them personally when they are struggling...communication... Herbert Brown III
Herbert Brown III
Herbert Brown III
Discussion Comment
Assisting the Online Student
Nashid, A good retention percentage for any course is 100%. Reality is it will be something lower than that. However, if we strive to stay connected with our students and do everything in our power to help them along the way, then it seems you have done what you can. Herbert Brown III
Herbert Brown III
Herbert Brown III
Discussion Comment
The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio
Michael, I have also found the type of content and level of content will greatly influence this ratio as well. For example, writing courses require a lot more interaction with students, lengthy grading and feedback, and more. So many factors can influence the ideal ratio, unfortunately many times it is set by administrators based on the money that can be made. Herbert Brown III
Herbert Brown III
Herbert Brown III
Discussion Comment
The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio
Stephen, So we begin to wonder why administrators expect higher numbers in the courses and new delivery mechanisms such as MOOCs that can handle 1000's of students are considered by some to be the wave of the future. We all have to be careful to walk the fine line between making money and meeting the individual learning needs of our students (and retention). Herbert Brown III

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