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?

Calvin, All of these are absolutely factors that adminstrators look at to strengthen their online programs and I believe online programs will continue to grow....but replace traditional universities completely? What about the billions of dollars tied in to college athletic programs? What about the students that don't learn well in an online environment (based on their learning style) will they just not be able to get a college education? What about the students that want the personal, face-to-face interaction with people, not through video, but actually connected in person with real people - will they just be out of luck?… >>>

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Charles, Many other states are moving to provide more online solutions as well. North Carolina does not have a K-12 online mandate, but they have had an online Virtual High School for many years that provides students in smaller schools with the opportunities of the largest schools with courses such as: Latin, Russian, advanced computer courses, etc. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Meir, Both forms of learning are here for the forseeable future. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Racquel , I believe this is becoming a bigger issue in institutions that are looking at the "numbers." If you have an online class with 12 students and an on-campus class with 13 students, you can just combine the two classes and pay one instructor for a single 25 student class. As you mention, if on-campus students are "forced" in to an online course structure or strongly online hybrid format, they are likely to be fairly upset. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Racquel , It certainly depends on the audience and the individual. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Calvin, I started the discussion about classes of 200 because I have seen some institutions offer online classes with 200 students as a money making venture. There was not a great concern about the level of interaction with the students. The course was focused on presenting the content; using traditional testing methods to evaluate the retention of the material; and minimal feedback to the students. My point was exactly what you mentioned...it would be almost impossible to provide the interaction and feedback that you get from a course of 15-20. An online course with 200 students is not the best… >>>

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Meir, 20 would be my higher end. In graduate courses I would rather see 12-15 students. This is an interesting problem especially as the economy has tightened. I have seen administrators wanting to "push" the enrollments to a higher limit for financial reasons. It may become vital in the future to strongly advocate the importance of optimal enrollments. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Peter, Good detail. The multi-format approach is a good way to connect to your students. With the diversity in learing styles, attitudes and dispositions of students, the multi-formatted approach is a good way to reach them. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Racquel , All of these are good expectations and details. Do you also ask the students to respond in your bio. forum with their bios or descriptions of themselves so students can "connect" with one another in a more personal way in the class? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors

Meir, Are you looking to see if there is any merit to their claims or are you looking to guide them through understanding the importance and relevance on their own through the course expectations? Herbert Brown III

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