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

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Vivian , We are definitely seeing an increase in completely online courses and degrees as well as hybrid face to face models. However, I agree that in the near future at least we will continue to see both learning environments. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

David, The MOOC model is also becoming popular; however, not much research has been done on the effectiveness of the MOOC model. I think your final two sentences about engagement are very important. Students that typically feel more engaged and connected in their learning are more likely to stay involved in online learning. We lose students when they feel disconnected from their learning, instructors, etc. The 15-20 for the typical class is what most people identify as ideal. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Jennifer, The next few years will be very interesting. Not only is online still growing at rapid rates, hybrid and blended learning environments that combine the on campus and online course technology to develop the best of both are growing very rapidly. This trend is expected to continue. However there are many students that still want a traditional in person education. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Jacinda, 15 to 1 is around my preferred ratio for many of the same reasons. I do find that the optimal ratio changes based on a number of factors. The level of the content (undergrad. or graduate), design of the course, types of activities and interactions all plan a very important role in the optimal online ratio. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Jared, Much of this does come down to preference. However, when we look at the trends, there continues to be tremendous growth in online degrees, programs, and courses. We are also seeing tremendous growth in hybrid learning environments. Even those that are not teaching online are seeing how valuable and helpful some of the online teaching tools are and are incorporating them in to their traditional courses. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Assisting the Online Student

Jared, I agree with your ideas. It is very important to try to reach all students through all means necessary to help them succeed. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Engaging Learners in Discussion

Tina, It is great that the students are reaching out to connect with the other students to try to help them. That demonstrates that you are building that all important community aspect among your students. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Lyn, It is interesting that your resident portion of the program is the problem area. Based on what you mention here can you start the resident section with a "summary" of facts and details so students before you begin much student to student interactions to try to alleviate the misinformation. Not knowing your exact learning model and content it is hard for me to provide specifics. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Tina, Specifically what are you wondering about labs and what type of labs? Computer lab function is not too difficult and we have a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure that allows students to log in to a virtual machine through the web and access the entire computer lab software suite as if they are in the lab. Other labs like science labs can be more difficult and are often "simulated" with computer simulations or provided in regional locations for students to attend a lab session near them. If it is a "performance" or skills demonstration required of the students they can video… >>>

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Tina, I appreciate that you are still drawing a line on the amount of time you are responding. Too often as online instructors we feel we have to be communicating 24/7 with students and that is not fair to us. Instructors have to have a life too. As long as we provide clear expectations to the students, they will understand that as well. Herbert Brown III

End of Content