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

Heather, I agree, students should have some expectations for faculty as well. These are the most common but it is important for a student to understand how/when they can/should contact an instructor. How the instructor handles deadlines and grades. Timeliness of feedback for students, etc. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Susan, Could you break the discussion assignment in to phases? How the first required post from everyone due earlier and then have the follow up discussion on the posts due by the end date/time. It depends on the structure of the discussion assignment. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Diane, Do you see it replacing any specific fields per chance or not at all? There is certainly major growth in online courses over all areas. What about hybrid (online and on-ground) courses, could online AND hybrid replace traditional classroom instruction? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Valerie, You are correct at times we have to be tech support, counselor, etc. But isn't that the same with any job today...we all have to wear many hats. I find if I can resolve a tech issues quickly, I do so and the student can get right back to their learning. If not, I get them the help they need from the help desk, etc. You can run in to this problem in regular classrooms too: the smartboard is not working, you have a one-to-one laptop initiative and a student's computer or the network is not working. Part of… >>>

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Su, I like how you included both the faculty member and the student. I also like the categories you used to identify the key areas to include in expectations. The depth in these categories is probably the greatest variability between instructors. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Stanley, I would agree that we will continue to see growth in online and hybrid environments. For the foreseeable future I believe we will continue to have strong traditional class enrollments as well. Many people still do not like online classes. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Steven, Interesting comparison. I work in an online teaching environment where I have the same complete control of the learning environment as I do in a traditional classroom. I would have to seriously examine an environment where I have no control over the learning outside of canned material and structure. Everyone has to examine what they are willing to accept. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Natasha, Oftentimes in online courses it is very difficult to address physical body language and tone as your students are not seeing you...unless you are using video conferencing. You can learn to sense tone in electronic messages, but it does take time and even then you don't always get it right...but you get better at it. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Natasha, I agree that both instructor and student expectations are important. We as instructors should be held to basic standards regarding providing feedback, clear direction, prompt communications and grading, be available at reasonable timeframes, etc. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Jaclyn , This is an interesting perspective. I believe we have an opportunity to help the "sages" you refer to and help them capture their expert knowledge and find ways to use that captured knowledge to transition it to guiding the students with that captured knowledge as one learning tool. I don't believe we should force these folks to change as much as help them envision a new way and show them the benefits of changing their teaching styles. Herbert Brown III

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