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

Instructor Presence

Joseph, There are also online readiness assessments available that help students self-evaluate their readiness for online learning. What if you required students to complete that readiness assessment and then provided them specific learning modules to complete to prepare them based on their weaknesses for online learning. Do you think that might be an effective strategy? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Roberto, Have you ever considered giving the students an entrance assessment to determine their readiness for the course? This might also give you a benchmark to determine where students are and allow you to connect with them and address their specific needs. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Roberto, What about the actual number of students in a course to one instructor? Do you believe that an online course with 200 students to one faculty member can be an effective online course? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Joseph, I would argue that the learning can certainly be the same and for some students they perform better in online courses. The pedagogy may be different. The design of some of the assignments and activities might vary, but functionally they are very similar. In fact the online tools can be so useful many instructors are beginning to use a "flipped" classroom approach, where they provide most of the routine knowledge content in an online format, and use their traditional class time for more in-depth discussions and "deeper" content. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Tom, This is a lot of information to share with students up front. Do you ever find that they get "overwhelmed?" Do you use any mechanisms to determine if they actually read and understand the expectations? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Roberto, I really like your information posted here. This is not just for online courses, I have found myself doing these same things in onground classes on a regular basis. Many students just do not know how to study. They think reading in front of the TV during commercial times is studying. For some this might work, but for most it will not. I also find when I ask students to produce or show me their studying tools (as you mentioned) they can't produce them because they have not done them. This gives me an opportunity to counsel them and… >>>

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors

Roberto, I have also had this issue with students before and typically when you start asking them detailed questions as you mentioned, the truth does start to appear. Many times it is a "cover" for underlying issues. Even if they had all of this knowledge already, there are ways to work with them to "stretch" their understand and depth of the material. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Responsibilities of Teaching Online

Roberto, I agree the instructor learns a lot during the process. Another thing you learn is that expectations have to be very clear and detailed. You quickly learn as an instructor what assignments or expectations are not as clear as you thought they were and have to adjust constantly to be an effective instructor. It is vital to be a reflective practitioner. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Michael, There are clearly students that do NOT want online. They want the onground experience. As colleges offer more classes online, I think it is important to not force these students in to online courses. However, being exposed to a hybrid course would be healthy for them as they will be exposed to online training at some point in their lives. What do you see as some characteristics of an effective onilne student? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Engaging Learners in Discussion

Marjorie, Do you have any creative ways you have used to get students to high level critical thinking instead of simple cursory responses? Herbert Brown III

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