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?

Errol, Online can be a very effetive tool to reach new student populations for brick-and-mortar schools. I personally put two programs online at a brick-and-mortar school in the last couple of years and it saved the programs. The numbers of the programs had dropped greatly and the online intitiative over doubled the numbers over night. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors

Carol, Students will often provide valuable insight if we let them. However, we do need to ensure that the students do so with respect and in a professional manner. It is important to articulate to our students that appropriate communication behaviors look like and to ensure they follow those procedures. As you mention though, the students still need to feel valued. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Tina , Typically that is the way it is handled. All preformatted content and quizzes, etc. The instructor and a GA can provide some basic feedback but in-depth discussions are much more difficult. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Michael, These are very important in any class. Do you find that students read these expectations at the beginning or do you have some that later say..."I didn't know that...?" How do you address those students and is there a way to ensure they all read and comprehend the course expectations? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Jeffrey, Can you be more specific? What kinds of things are you doing now and what kind of content are you teaching? Specifically in discussions or assignments. As a general statement I would say that you should "motivate" them with assignments that connect with them. Give enough flexibility in assignments that students can express their individual interests. For example, don't assign everyone the same exact website to create in a web development class. Provide the assignment framework and expectations, but the type of site they create is up to them. Open it up - make sure you are using multiple… >>>

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Michael, So how do you approach this? There are certainly times when students just choose to disconnect from the course and it is not the instructor's fault. It would not be healthy to blame yourself. As long as you did everything in your power to connect with the students, you should not feel this way. I do understand your statement though, because I feel the same way at times. We internalize student failure as our failure - in a way this can be a good thing. It means we want to do better! We want to be reflective practitioners and… >>>

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Engaging Learners in Discussion

Michael, These are all great ways to engage the learner. In the discussions do you encourage them to provide their own real world experiences and reflect on those in the discussions? Try to get them to "break out" from the contextual course content and get them applying the knowledge to their lives or at least thinking in that way? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors

Michael, Would you respond to him in the public forum post with this response? Can you clarify your final statement, would you ask him how he wants it changed and change it to meet his needs? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Providing Feedback

Eleanor, Positive feedback, criticisms, positive feedback - the sandwich approached mentioned by several in the forum is a great approach to providing students with feedback. It helps students maintain their self esteem while still getting across the important things that need to change and be improved. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Assisting the Online Student

Racquel , It is important to take the extra steps to try to connect with them, but as you mention they are adults. What are the options at your institution, can you drop them from the course yourself, or do you just have to give them an "F"? Herbert Brown III

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