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

Instructor Presence

Dennis, I have found that I can provide that level of support oftentimes by just sending a quick email message from my smart phone that says, "I can't get back with you right now, but I wil in the next ___ hour or so..." and then get back with them in a timely manner. They realize you are on the other end, you did get their message, and an answer is coming soon. That doesn't mean I answer every question 24/7/365 but ensures that the students still feel supported. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Jack, Are there factors that might influence this ratio or is it always a 20:1 ration in your opinion? Would it be the same for graduate and undergraduate? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Karen, The research does continue to show steady growth in online teaching and learning. Another area of tremendous growth is the blended classroom. With the tools already in place, many faculty are using these tools to restructure their traditional classes with strong web/distance components in to blended or hybrid classrooms. We will continue to see growth in both of these areas. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Karen, I agree that organization is important for the instructor and just as much for the students as well. Instructors can get very overwhelmed very quickly with the workload and faculty expectations for feedback. I try to stagger assignment due dates between my course sections so the structure helps to organize my workload. That way I don't get 100 assignments in one day when each class has the same exact dues date. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Christine, I could also see this as a problem in a traditional class. I always have some students that have very clearly NOT prepared for class with the assigned readings, etc. The CMS systems have tracking features that you can at least see if the students are accessing the content and at what days and times. You still can't guarantee that they read the materials for proper engaged the content for learning. The tracking logs at least give you something to take to the students to encourage them to complete the course materials (i.e. "...I see you have not accessed… >>>

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Responsibilities of Teaching Online

Christine, I like your final statement. I think we have ALL experienced that at some point while teaching online. I revise my courses and materials each term and find I get more and more specific and detailed each time. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Kathleen, That is the lowest number I have heard. Do you feel that you can get enough interaction in the course between students with only 6-7 in the course? Do you have administrators that allow 6-7 students in a course and still be able to generate enough funds to pay a faculty member for the course? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Engaging Learners in Discussion

Kenjiro, I like this idea. I always play the devils advocate to get students to think deeper about ALL sides of an issue. Sometimes they get frustrated, but much deeper learning takes place. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Christine, I agree it very much depends on the design of the course. My magic ratio depending on many factors is between 15-20 students. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Kenjiro, Do you do anything to ensure that the students actually read and understand the expectations? I include very clear expectations and still often have students say...."I didn't know that..." when it is clearly spelled out on the syllabus in the expectations. Herbert Brown III

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