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

Jocelyn, I think online teaching, when done right, makes us a better teacher in general. As you note, online teaching requires instructors to be more concious on learning styles and more creative in creating assignments. It is vital to use a variety of learning tools to meet the diversity of our student population. Video tools can help with seeing the student, but creating reflection assignments (forums, mini writings, journaling, blogs) can help you determine student understanding throughout the course as well. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Christopher, You are correct there are many factors that influence ones ability to provide timely feedback and that is directly correlated to the student-teacher ratio. However, I have seen colleges encourage online courses with 200-250 students (Microsoft Office) as a money maker, what do you think about that? If you had a magic ratio what would it be? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Jocelyn, It is important to make sure the students have thoroughly reviewed the expectations for the course and you have record of it. Have you found that online syllabi require more specific details than a traditional on-campus course? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Responsibilities of Teaching Online

Tonya, Teaching classes online can be much more challenging, but just as effective. If converting a "ground" course to online, it is vital to analyze what in that course makes it the quality course it is, and then explore and select online tools that allow that traditional course to be just as effective online. You are correct, online courses do take more time to manage than traditional courses. It is important not only for instructor to realize this, but also for adminstration to take this in to consideration when planning workloads, etc. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Tonya, Certainly clear expectations provided to the students on the syllabus is a good start. Students need to clearly understand what "reasonable" communication response times are and the best means to communicate with you. For some that might include weekly "live" office hours using desktop video conferencing tools. Student expectations may still not be realistic. The more we can educate students on the process the better off we will be. Giving students a variety of communication mechanisms and flexible times and days will certainly help with this. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Tonya, I like the detail you have in your expectations for the students and the requirement that they address potential issues that may arise as well as articulate that they comprehend the expectations. This statement you have them generate, how large it is typically? Just a few sentences or pages? I would also concur that roadmaps, schedules, and expectations must be clear. That clarity is often different for different people. I find myself adjusting my "clear" expectations each semester as new experiences arise. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Engaging Learners in Discussion

Angie, Deadlines and schedules are very important in online classes. Otherwise as you note, students will likely procrastinate until the end of the term and then not have sufficient time to complete their work. I would recommend clear deadlines and schedules for all online work. That doesn't mean you can't be flexible when "issues" arise, but it make online course facilitation easier. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Angie, One thing you can try is to have all the students complete a simple quiz on the syllabus or the faculty expectations. Then at least the students have to read the expectations to answer the quiz questions. Another method would be to have the students submit a reflection assignment on the expectations. The key is to obtain some verification that they read the expectations. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors

A learner has sent you an email challenging your choice of activities in the learning unit. He states that he doesn't believe that the discussion questions are relevant and the assignments are a complete waste of his time. How would you handle this learner?

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors - 2

Consider the following posts to the discussion: Learner 1 post to Learner 2: "I feel that this course is very difficult, and I just don't get the concept. I am trying, but I can't see me passing and I am not good at failure." Learner 1 post to Learner 3: "I wish that I had the ideas running through my head that you do. Great post." Learner 1 post to Learner 4: "I read your post and I am afraid that I have gotten overwellmed. I am just hoping to get through this class. I came from another program and… >>>

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