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

Patricia, What are some things you see yourself including in your course expectations for the students? Are there expectations for the faculty teaching the course as well? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Janette, The student expectations I include are all of the standard expectations for the online course. These include such things as grading policies, communication expectations, and other course related expectations. There are times I have to go back and revisit these and refine them with more detail as course issues arise, such as professionalism expectations when students begin to respond to each other in unprofessional ways. You will find yourself refining these the more you teach online. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Rickey, I agree it is higher education and clear expectations have to be set. However, it is also our responsibility to teach our students life and career skills that might include organization skills, time management, etc. that could ensure their success in an online course. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

joyce, The research is clearly showing a continued growing trend in online education; however, I do agree it will be unlikely that all traditional instruction will be replaced. However, there will be an even greater impact as more courses move to a hybrid online/traditional format. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Kelly, Great! The more you can make that "personal" touch the more the students will feel connected with you. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Kelly, This ratio is pretty consistent with others postings. I agree that the more students in the average course, the less likely they are to get quality and timely feedback. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Juliet, Most people I talk with about this subject come up with about 15-20 give or take a few. You bring up an important point - Attrition in programs. DO you or your school do anything to follow up with the students that drop out to determine WHY they dropped out. You might find that there are common themes that you and the school can address that would ensure the students stay in the courses. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Gary, Can it also depend on the content of the course or the level of the content? Do you want 30 students in an online writing-intensive course? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Thomas, Very well put. It is important that we sent very clear student and faculty expectations for successful courses. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Engaging Learners in Discussion

Daniel , It certainly sounds like you are trying with a lot of different effective methods to reach all of them! I also have the later students at times in my course, and I still try my best to reach them at a deeper level, but it doesn't always work as their primary motivation is that final piece of paper. Herbert Brown III

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