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

Faculty Expectations

Jason, Although you have many tools at you disposal, you have to do a critical analysis of the course and breakdown what it is that you want to do, maybe something that has been really successful in an ongroud course, and then imagine how it could be accomplished online. You may also need to re-vision aspects of the course that can be accomplished differently and maybe better online. For example, if you want to incorporate extensive discussion, you need to break down what you normally examine in these discussions and determine how best to reach that goal - maybe discussion… >>>

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Jason, Most of the research will show that the actual learning that takes place does not differ from onground and online courses. With all of the new tools available you can create almost any type of learning environment online and make it as effective as anything onground. Instructional design is the critical component, matching the appropriate technology to build the most effective learning environments. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Albert, I agree, all of these are critical determining factors. Do you think it is ever appropriate to have a 200 to 1 instructor student ratio? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

William, This is one of those areas that you can address in your class expectations. Detail in your expectations how the course will be run or "facilitated." Explain the students' role in the course and explain to them how it WILL be different than a traditional class. This is especially important in introductory online courses where you may get a number of "first timers" in the course that need a clear understanding of how online courses differ. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

William, This is a very common problem. Some strategies to get them to read the expectations and demonstrate they understand them is to have the students write a short reflection on them, complete an assignment with them, or take a short quiz to demonstrate that they have read and understand the expectations. Then you also have clear documentation that they understand the expectations as well. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Providing Feedback

Lori, Focuses on their weaknesses and areas for improvement are very important; however, also make sure you give them some positive feedback on the elements they did correct. This will help motivate them. If they only receive the "improvement" items they begin to get a bit discouraged. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors

Lori, If it is clearly articulated up front on the syllabus you should have fewer issues. It is when directions and expectations are not clear that problems more typically arise. But as you note, a clear direct tone is ideal. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Christopher, Exactly! They ran the course using an automated learning tool from a textbook vendor for MS Office and provided more of a help desk feature when students had problems. Other courses like this are similar to the correspondence model, read the textbook, complete the online multiple choice quizzes. That is the course. You really can't do quality interaction with that many students. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Ron, Well put Ron. I agree in general with a 16-20 to 1 ratio for many classes. This provides you the ability to give the students the individual feedback they need. I would also suggest that in some courses this ratio would be high. It also depends on the content of the course. Writing intensive courses require MUCH more time to give students the detailed feedback they need on their writing. I have also seen courses with 200 students (MS Office). Do you think a course can be effective with 200 students? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Responsibilities of Teaching Online

Jocelyn, It is vital to have clear expectations, course schedules, assignment due dates, etc. Video can provide a higher level of interaction, but it still requires the student to interact. I use synchronous tools regularly; however, just like a regular classroom you get the lurkers just listening to the conversation, you still have to encourage them to join in. I hear the argument of lack of immediacy fairly often. Do students in a traditional class live in your home and get 24/7 response from you, of course not, they might get your immediately attention for an hour and 15 minutes… >>>

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