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

Assisting the Online Student

Andrew, I don't believe we should stop trying to help them improve either. Finding creative ways to connect with them can be challenging, but when you do finally reach them, it is rewarding for both the student and instructor. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Don, I have also found that a simple ice breaker with the students allows you to connect with them. We use ice cream in our graduate program. We encourage them to leave their work and get "ice cream" when they get overwhelmed...and it has stuck. Everyone in the learning community continues to discuss their ice cream. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Engaging Learners in Discussion

Don, Very well expressed. The coach element is very important and I think some instructors miss that element and it hurts their ability to connect on a more personal nature with the students. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Pennie, A very detailed, excellent list of expectations. Do you find that these are comprehensive or do you regularly adjust them? I find myself regularly re-visiting my expectations and refining them through the experience of each semester. How do you ensure that the students have read and comprehend the expectations? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Responsibilities of Teaching Online

Pennie, If you are teaching both traditional and online students do you find that the online group is typically more engaged in the learning as you are or if the traditional is more engaged, or about the same? I have personally found that I get a real dichotomy in my classes. I have the students that are really engaged and exciting and work beyond my expectations. They also appreciate the online format for convenience. And then the other group is there because of the convenience but there are underlying tones that they expect it to be a little easier than… >>>

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Andrew, I think it is great that you already realize that connecting with your students in a proactive way is a great way to establish your presence in the class but also a great way to identify struggling students and get them help early on. When we can build a level of community in the classes, the students are more motivated, but then you understand the "community" as well and can gauge when people in the community are starting to have issues. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Stacy, Are you able to offer live video conferencing sessions as help sessions that allow these struggling students to connect with you in a more personal way? How have you found to identify the struggling ones, mainly through grades? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Chanel, Building confidence in our online students is definitely something we need to do. Particularly older students and those returning to school. We also need to be aware of their potential technology anxiety and find ways to reassure them and help them through the first couple of classes. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Engaging Learners in Discussion

Stacy, That is a neat idea. It is like reading a good book but you can't jump to the end to see what happens. Herbert Brown III

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