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 Responsibilities of Teaching Online

Jeff, I think I understand what you are saying. I also teach on campus and online courses (same courses) and I would agree that you have to make a stronger effort in an online course to communicate with students and to get them to communicate with you. In a traditional course it seems to come more naturally and you may have to prod them a little, but you have them in class at that moment and they can't get away. Online they can quickly become "disconnected" from the course and content and get disillusioned. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Jean, Can you "tier" assignments around a concept to determine their level and depth of understanding? For example, provide them a relatively simple short assignment first to determine where they are at, then another that is a little more in depth and then another that requires them to apply the concept in a deeper way. This might give you the ability to see where they do or don't understand and the depth of understanding. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors

Jean, Interesting approach. I do appreciate that you at least want to hear their arguments. There are times that we can learn from our students and there might be some validity to their arguments. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Maureen , It is hard! I enjoy the intrinsic rewards of watching student succeed in my courses. I used to take it almost "personally" when they didn't try to act like they cared. I now realize that all I can do is provide as much support as possible. What the student do with that is up to them. It is very rewarding when they take it all and exceed all expectations. If not, that becomes a learning experience for them as well. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Christina, All very good points. I include those same elements. Do you believe there should also be faculty expectations in addition to student expectations? Do you have any, what might those look like? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

corinne, I think your final statements sum it up...it works great for some...for other maybe not. Online is growing and will continue to grow as will hybrid online/on ground courses. Technology can also help with the global perspective. There are many technologies that can automatically check for plagiarism (although some professors use the software incorrectly) and new companies that are forming to provide secure "testing" structures. Where there is a need, someone will come up with a solution. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Mountasser, It can. I do try to be responsive as much as possible and will often send them a quick message from my phone (if not near a computer) such as "I will address this with you tomorrow morning..." something like that so they know their message did come through - if I can. Just be very clear on your syllabus regarding communications expectations and refer them back to the course expectations if they fuss about you not responding at 2 am. Faculty have lives too and are allowed to live them. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

laura, Interesting...so if I read it right you change your focus and redirect some elements to a student-to-student from an instructor-to-student focus. Can you elaborate a little? Do you mean you use peer-evaluation methods on some assignments, require more student postings to other students' posts? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Mountasser, As I read your response I see that you include faculty expectations in your list. What kinds of things do you expect of yourself? Timely grading...? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Ketul, I was just curious, most people fall within this general range (15-25) for the same reasons you specify. I have yet to hear anyone say 200 is appropriate; however, I know of schools that are doing that - and not as a MOOC. Herbert Brown III

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