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

Tina, I also experience this; however, I continue to point the students to the clear course expectations that inform them up front that they will not get immediate feedback and I will do everything possible to get back with them as soon as possible - up to 24 hours. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Tina, That depends on your situation. In my situation I have complete control over the design, content, and management of the course. I know not everyone has that freedom. You can only do what you can within the confines of your situation. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Tina, You can tie an initial course assessment to the syllabus and course expectations. It might be a simple participation grade if they read and respond to a simple quiz on the syllabus and expectations or integrate it in to a simple first assignment. Something like a discussion where the students are asked to respond and reflect on the syllabus and course expectations. This ensures they have to read it to be successful. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Christy, All excellent points. Well articulated. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Melissa, Great point! We do all need to stay current on the rapid changing technologies and approaches to online learning as well as the content of our field of study. But this is also the same for traditional classrooms. It is part of being a professional educator. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Robert, I can be a challenge but it is also in the design of the course. If the assignments are student centered and designed well, you just have to oversee the discussions and other work and guide them in their learning and help them stay active and on task. The communication can be overwhelming at times too, but like anything you just need to set clear expectations for not only the students but for yourself. It is not being fair to yourself to say you will get back to students in 2 hours, when you know you will not be… >>>

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

PatJohn, Is this a set ratio or could it change based on different factors? What might some of those factors be? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Audrey, Have you done an introduction/welcome forum that provides the students with a required assigment to post and get responses from other students? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Assisting the Online Student

Brenda, You need to have a clear expectation for providing extra time for students. That policy should be consistent for all students and clearly articulated to them. Because of the nature of online students and their needs, I would recommend being flexible with students that need a little extra time to complete assignments. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Troy, When students believe they cannot get a quality education online is it based on their "perceptions" or discussions with others. On a few occasions they have taken a "bad" online course and developed that opinion. The only way to change that perception is to show them a "good" online course and show them the benefits to using online tools, etc. By including some of those tools in face to face classes, they start to see how effective the tools are and it might change their perception. Herbert Brown III

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