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

Stacy, You can tie the expectations to an assessment. Ask the students to complete a quick quiz or survey on the course expectations. Then you have confirmation that they reviewed the materials in case you get someone that says "I didn't know about that..." Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Chanel, Have you found that your administrators agree with this ratio? I have found people to be more accepting of around 15-16 students. What is your experience? What level of students are you referencing, all students, undergraduate, graduate? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Providing Feedback

Geri, Are there tools that can help you provide detailed and specific feedback for the students? What level and depth of feedback should you be providing...how do you do it? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Andrew, I would certainly agree. With the small online classes I have taught it is harder to get a more in-depth discussion going and to maintain it. It is certainly easier though for me to respond to everyone in a very timely manner. I think 15-20 has been most ideal for the majority of my online classes. Some of my graduate classes would be ideal with a few less. Certainly the type of content, the depth and level of the content, and other factors play in to the optimal number. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Daron, You are right, that is what it appears like. It is certainly more difficult to assess where students are in the online environment. We need to get more creative. Maybe have students complete more, shorter assignments that allow us as instructors to assess more often and in shorter steps in the process to try to establish where we lose the students and where their problems arise. It also might be even more important to get the students to connect with us in a LIVE session as soon as we see they are having issues and get them back on… >>>

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Engaging Learners in Discussion

Daron, I agree that asking the students can help. Sometimes you find out that whatever the student's complaint is ends of not really being the issue, that there is something else that is affecting the situation. Talking it out with students helps you get to the actual point and gives you a chance for personal reflection ... sometimes it opens our eyes to something we DO need to change ourselves. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Daron, I prefer about 15-20 students. I agree that there are many factors that influence that number including: level of material, difficulty of material, design of course (level of interactivity), level of the students, etc. Therefore, ideally the number should be set based on the course...however, I realize that is not typically what happens. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Daron, Do you set very clear boundaries regarding communication, course expectations, etc. What, if any, do you set. I agree students need to know you are there to help, but I have found that certain expectations should be established at the beginning of the course to head off potential confusion or issues. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors

compreca, I agree it is a good idea to help them clearly understand the course expectations; however, you may also want to communicate with them directly to get more information about any issues they may be having. There are times when students are just really begging for help because there are underlying issues. By communicating with them directly and asking for more details you might find there are other issues playing in to the situation that they were reluctant to discuss until you contact them directly. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors

Ruben, Good points. Sometimes it is a simple issue that is easily resolved. Other times when you contact the student you find there are other underlying issues that are effecting the behaviors and it gives you a chance to deal with them accordingly. Her bert Brown III

End of Content