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 Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Hector, I agree that class size is an important factor in developing and running online courses. The class size can also vary depending on the level of the course work and the design of the course (assignments, discussions, etc.) Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Engaging Learners in Discussion

Lisa, Any time that we can include variety in our instruction, including videos and other multimedia, we are working to connect with the different learning styles of our students. It is always great strategy to "mix it up" in our instruction to connect better with our students. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Lisa, I agree that students have to be self-directed learners. However, we as instructors still have a strong role to direct their learning and help them to connect their new knowledge with their previous knowledge. This can be accomplished through the activities we create, the examples we use, and how students interact in discussions and other content. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Lisa, Thirty is a lot of students in one course. Do you try to structure the activities where most of the interaction is student-student instead of student-instructor? What level (undergrad. grad.) do you typically teach? The number of students and the level of interaction depends on a lot of variables. I would love to hear some of the strategies that you use to engage large groups of students 30+ Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors

Carol, I like the win-win idea. Students can provide some great details that can help you make your course even better...why shouldn't we listen. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors

Carol, I like the win-win idea. Students can provide some great details that can help you make your course even better...why shouldn't we listen. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Assisting the Online Student

Wayne , I appreciate that you recognize that spending too much effort on students that have clearly given up at the expense of the rest of the students should be avoided. We shouldn't penalize the students that are making the effort to succeed in the course. The key as you note is to make a best effort to reach these students. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors

Patricia, Citation of sources is extremely important in all field in my opinion. It is interesting that you note Journalism. There have been some great examples of journalists in the last few years (some of them MAJOR individuals in the field) that have lost their jobs for citing poor or non-exisitent references. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors - 2

Wayne , These are good points, the point in the course and the student performance to this point could certainly impact the overall response and understanding of what is really going on. However, there is definately something going on with the student that needs to be addressed. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Linda, Special needs are typically handled by a specific office at your institution. Students that contact that office and register their needs can be provided the resources they need to be successful. Your institution office will typically provide instructors with information about any special needs and the appropriate accomodation that should be considered. Visual impairments, auditory impairments, etc. are a few that may arise. There has been a greater focus in the last few years on ensuring that online learning systems are accessible (can be accessed effectively with screen readers, etc.) as well. Herbert Brown III

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