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

Faculty Expectations

Nashid, That is true, the more detail that you consider important should be included. However, we should consider the diversity of the students in the course as well and try to leave open aspects of assignments (as possible) so that the students can focus on elements that are personal or important to them. If the students "connect" with the assignment, they are less likely to look for a loop hole. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Nashid, That is what makes the course expectations so important and are usually detailed on the course syllabus. Every instructor is different; therefore, it is extremely important that your students have all of the expectations that will ensure their success in your course. It is also a good learning experience for them because they will have to adapt to different people and work experiences in the work world. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

William, It can be difficult but the more we work online the better we get at "reading between the lines" Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Rachelle, Blended or hybrid classrooms are quickly becoming the norm at ALL levels of education. You are correct, the research shows that online offerings are still growing, but the BIG change will be the continued integration of online tools and technologies in to the traditional classroom experience. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Assisting the Online Student

Rachelle, I appreciate that you don't give up on them. It is so important for us to show our students we are concerned for them as individuals and want them to succeed. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors

Colette, Do you think that the student could have a point in their concerns? Should we be open and listen to students concerns, could they actually be telling us something important about our courses? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Responsibilities of Teaching Online

William, I have found the same. I teach online and on ground and other than tools, the general pedagogy is the same. The need to diversify our instructional strategies also remains the same and need for good communication with our students. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Charlene, I believe most instructors can enter a traditional classroom and pick up on the non-verbal clues in a classroom pretty quickly. I find that I can pick up similar clues in email and other communications, but it is much harder and has taken a number of years of teaching online to feel like I am getting better at it and refining my skills in that area. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Chander, These are the numbers I have found as well. Depending on the course content as well, the 15-20 seems to be optimal to make sure communications, feedback, and are done in a timely manner and you as the instructor have the time to interact with the students on a personal level so they feel they are a part of the course. Herbert Brown III

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