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

Engaging Learners in Discussion

Daniel , It certainly sounds like you are trying with a lot of different effective methods to reach all of them! I also have the later students at times in my course, and I still try my best to reach them at a deeper level, but it doesn't always work as their primary motivation is that final piece of paper. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Providing Feedback

Elizabeth, You can certainly "buffer" the situation by pointing out the things they did right first, then what they did wrong, then maybe finish up with one other thing they did right so you close on a positive note. I also use rubrics on the majority of my assignments so that they students have a clear framework that is applied the same to all students and it helps them better understand where they lost points and what needs to be improved. However, even then, students sometimes still need a little more clarification. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Elizabeth, I have done this for years; however, I still get students that say "...I didn't know ..." have you had this experience? Have you found a way to address it? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Steve, I really like your instructor expectations. Your example of asking the students for instructor expectations will provide a strong rapport between you and your students and if you meet those expectations they should see you as having a strong presence in the course. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Daniel , Do you also give the students a sample of what quality looks like? For many students today, some of what you mention here is not something that they are used to providing in all of their work. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Engaging Learners in Discussion

Aaron, Discussions that are focused on real world ideas and application with specific examples are a sure way to motivate and engage your learners in the discussion process. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Aaron, There are a number of tools, synchronous and asynch., that would allow you to "show" the learner how to complete a task. That process can be recorded for students to view, or completed live using video and screen capture technology. I have also used the same technology for students to demonstrate to me, while I walk them through a hands on activity. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Aaron, I agree with your statement, but how do we tell what that magic number is? After the class begins we can't easily add more, and we certainly can't kick the students out of the class after it begins, so how can we know what that optimal might be? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Assisting the Online Student

William, There is a point that you may not be able to help the online or traditional student; however, we need to be aware that the online students may need a little more attention than traditional students to provide them the extra support and attention necessary to help the be successful. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Rhonda, More synchronous communications CAN increase the perception of instructor presence in the course. However, quick feedback to any student communication (email, posts, etc.) can have just as strong an impact on the perception of instructor presence in a course. Herbert Brown III

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