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

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Jeannine, Online learning is still growing and blended/hybrid learning environments are growing rapidly as well. I am not sure online will completely replace traditional learning, as I would not want a surgeon working on be that did only "virtual" surgeries; however, blending the online content with hands on skills development will continue to be a norm and will grow in skills-based career pathways. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Merle, I also use a fair number of videos and integrate some synchronous activities or help session as well. The students love the videos especially and always comment that the video elements are some of their favorite learning tools in the class. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Patrick, Many people report an optimal ratio of 15-20:1 or so. Is this a hard number or do you think there are factors that would influence that optimal number up or down? One factor might be the ability to give students individual feedback as you mention, what might some other factors be? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Jeannine, Many people report an optimal ratio of 15-20:1 or so. Is this a hard number or do you think there are factors that would influence that optimal number up or down? What might some of those factors be? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Patrick, Do you find that your on-ground students read the material as you request and come fully prepared? Do you do anything with them to ensure they are meeting those expectations (like pop quizzes or anything) and are you going to do the same for your online students? Do you think that based on the "life" expectations and requirements of many online students that you will be more understanding on submissions and such with online students compared with your on-ground students? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Jeannine, I would agree these elements are very important to be listed in your expectations. These elements also help set the tone for your "presence" in the course. If the students can reach you within the expectations and receive feedback within the expectations, they will see you as present in the course. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Gloria, These appear to be good expectations. I do appreciate that you explain to the students what they can expect from you, the instructor. I believe it is important for students to understand not only what they have to do, but what their instructor is expected to do as well. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Responsibilities of Teaching Online

Daniel, I personally think the general aspects of what we are trying to do as instructors does not change, just the way we do it. I would also agree that online is usually more challenging than on-ground in terms of running the classroom experience and facilitating learning. It seems to take a lot more effort to do simple things online that I do in the classroom. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Engaging Learners in Discussion

Gloria, I have also found that the more I can tie the assignments and activities to the student's personal interests and lives, the more motivated they are to more fully participate in all aspects of the course. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Assisting the Online Student

Terry, I agree, we should do everything in our power as instructors to reach the struggling online student. Oftentimes, that extra little effort to reach a student is enough to pull them back in to the course and make them successful. Herbert Brown III

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