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

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Darlene, I agree completely. The ratio does differ based on content of the course and even level of the course content. I teach business communications/writing and because of the detailed feedback that has to be given on writing assignments, the ratio needs to be a little lower. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Tyra, Thanks for the clarification. I agree that the important thing is to design materials and assignments and use tools appropriate for the online environment and the content of the course. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Kaitlin, I also include grading information so students have a clear expectation of how grading will be conducted and what they should expect in that process. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Darlene, What kinds of things do you put in your expectations? Do you have expectations for students and the instructor? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Engaging Learners in Discussion

Melinda , That is true, we do need to model what we want from our students. That is also why it is important for us to have expectations for ourselves as instructors of a course and not just for our students. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Andrea, There is certainly a lot of research coming out now that does not support the MOOC model as an efficient model for online delivery. This does not speak against ALL online education. Our current online educational models that focus on collaboration, community-building, and online course facilitation have been shown over many years now to be effective models. The MOOC model and the quick jump to it should show us that we need to be more careful with jumping on new technology until we do some meaningful research on these new learning models. MOOCs may still be shown to be… >>>

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Melinda , Do you conduct any online LIVE (synchronous) discussions with your students on topics where you can develop this same dynamic with your online students? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

James L, Does this vary at all with different courses or does this apply to all courses in your opinion? Are there variables that might impact that ideal ratio...what might some of those be? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Tyra, You mention that the "course" will not survive. The course will survive will it not? Do you mean the student to student quality discussions and interactions will not be present? I assume this is the ideal ratio for your courses. Do you think that is appropriate for all courses or do you think there are other variables that might impact the ideal ratio? What might those be? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Melinda, Most people have mentioned a range of 15-20. Have you had good success building quality student to student interaction with 6-10 students. Herbert Brown III

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