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?

Kurt, The second point you make is exactly what is happening now. The "flipped" classroom is just that concept. Move most of the knowledge content to the online asynch. environment and use the traditional class time for deeper discussions and analysis of the content. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Nicholas, You do need to put in extra effort to connect with the students that need help and won't ask for it. Instructors need to reach out to them and encourage them to connect one on one and get the help they need. Student willingness is sometimes tied to our rapport as instructors. If we come across too strong in the course they may be even more intimidated - students need to feel comfortable to reach out. I have had some that, no matter what I tried, would not connect with me for help. Some eventually figured it out and… >>>

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Albert, The time per student ratio does make more sense. This addresses courses that have content and structure that requires more time (therefore less students) and others that allow for more students that might require less time. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Charles, One way some do it is to ignore the importance of student interaction and just have students read a textbook and complete online multiple choice questions on online quizzes. Others might use a pre-built (textbook vendor supplied) training/assessment system such as those for Microsoft Office courses where the computer provides tutorials, assignments that are autograded, and quizzes. Everything is automated and the instructor just answers questions (more like tech support). Even then, many times TAs are necessary to help too. Certainly not the interaction you can get with a class of 15-20. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Carl, The course design, course content, and course assignments and evaluation measures do definately play an important role in the optimal ratio. I have also found that 15-20 is a good general number. Is that they number your institution goes by? I have seen some institutions offer courses with 200 students, what level of interaction is in those courses? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Charles, What would be your perfect number of students in a course section to provide the optimal feedback and responsiveness? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Guillermo, All of these are important expectations to clearly articulate to the students. Do you do this in writing or part of a live orientation to the course? If it is in writing, how do you know they actually read the expectations? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Alexander, Are you truely available 24/7/365? Is that healthy for you and the students? I agree with the importance of retention and the importance of reaching out to students and connecting in a timely manner, but there are issues with being available 24/7/365. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Penny, I believe that is also the optimal amount for most classes. So if this is optimal, why do some institutions offer courses with 200 students? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Engaging Learners in Discussion

Dr. Sidney, All great components to facilitate the learning process. Guiding the students in their learning is vital to their understanding of the content. Have you found that this level of participation builds any type of "community" among the students? Herbert Brown III

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