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

Julie, I do try to give students very prompt feedback and I find that they appreciate that timeliness the most. I would argue that I have to be more available than a traditional classroom. In a traditional classroom the students have me for just and hour and fifteen minutes twice a week, I have to be available almost 24/7 to some extent to be considered responsive by most students. There can be some lag, but not more than about 24 hours or so for most students. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Robert, Your list appears very thorough. Have you adjusted your list through the years based on student feedback. I seem to "tweak" something almost every semester. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Engaging Learners in Discussion

Ben, Are there any strategies that you have used to get students to open up about topics and to get them to post more meaningful posts? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors

Robert, I appreciate that at least you are considering the student's concerns. There are certainly times that you might learn you need to make some adjustments in your own course. However, there are other times you might need to be more firm and clearly articulate the importance of the work in the overall learning process. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Erin, I have typically made them voluntary as well. However, I have reminded them on regular occasions that the live sessions are like help sessions and it is there opportunity to get personalized help. When they need the extra help or clarification they attend, which is ok since that is really my goal - their learning. I try to record all sessions as well and student DO go back and review them. I also make myself available for one-on-one live sessions if they need more help and some students DO take advantage of that as well. You have to be… >>>

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Tim, There are many different learning styles in our population. Do you believe that online learning will support ALL of those unique learning styles? What about skills-heavy jobs? Do you want a welder building a skyscraper that only learned ABOUT welding through videos? What about a brain surgeon...do you want brain surgery from a doctor that did all interactive multimedia surgeries? Where does that play in to the equation? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors

Elie, Would you consider any of their comments and suggest or implement changes (long term) based on that feedback? Do you think their comments and concerns might have merit? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors

Matthew, I appreciate that you see the students might have a point. Many times we ignore a student's concern about work, when in reality they have a good point and might actually help us to improve our course if we are willing to listen. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Matthew, What about synchronous tools? Can you have a planned "LIVE" session once a week just for this type of discussion? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Christin, I am curious. How is this done? Is there a supervisor that logs in to each course and reviews the productivity of the instructors? Herbert Brown III

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