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

Darlene, I thought the lack of non-verbal in the online environment would be problematic too; however, over the years of teaching online I have developed a new set of non-verbal clues in communications that help me pick up things like I would in a classroom. It is still not the same, but it is certainly better. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Mary Kay, I appreciate as an administrator that you realize the difficulties of teaching online and want to limit as much as possible the number of students in a course. Your optimal ratio if very consistent with others teaching in online environments. I get frustrated when admins think online is a money maker and want to put 200 in a single section. I have personally found that 15-20 is ideal for most classes. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

George, I agree that establishing the relationship is similar to the traditional classroom. However, I would say that you have to be a little more specific on communications norms and boundaries for students and faculty to ensure students are not expecting that you respond to them at 3 am. Without the students seeing you in a physical class on a regular basis a little more detail typically has to be included in an online environment to set the initial tone and structure of the course and online interaction Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Darlene, I like how you follow up to ensure they reviewed the materials by giving them a quiz. Then at least you have documentation that they did know the expectations. Is this common for all courses or do you get to set your own expectations for your specific course? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors

Amgad, Do you think that they might actually have a point with their concerns, or do you just tell them this is the course, here are the objectives, like it or not? Is it possible that the student might have a valid point or issue that you as the instructor should resolve? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Amgad, Others have suggested closer to a 15 or 20:1 ratio. Do you find that you get enough student to student interaction in a course with only 10 students? That is one factor that other instructors said was difficult with smaller numbers. Of course, providing feedback is easier with 10 or so students. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Amgad, We are certainly seeing a continued strong push in online learning, but the other area of strong growth is the blended or hybrid models where completely online may not work. It allows you to offer as much content as possible through online mechanisms while still maintaining an in-person presence for the critical and necessary hands-on elements of a course. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Amgad, I agree these are all helpful elements to establish for the students what the expectations are for the course. What about the student expectations for you as the instructor, do you share any expectations they should hold you to in the course? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Providing Feedback

Paula, I like how you tied everything to measurable and quantifiable elements. It is hard to argue with a rubric if it is well designed and provided before the assignment so that students know how they will be assessed. Well designed and evaluated assignments are hard to argue with; however, assignments with a lot of ambiguity can cause you a lot of headaches. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors

Muriel, Would you consider their arguments as possibly valuable and investigate whether you should make changes to the materials or course? Herbert Brown III

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