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

The Responsibilities of Teaching Online

Ron, They are fundamentally the same. The tools and pedagogy we use to connect with our students online might be slightly different but fundamentally they are the same. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Ron, What are some ways in which you see the roles of instructors as "different" between f2f and online? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Ron, I typically use rubrics for each assignment that clearly articulate the grading details for each assignment. Are there other expectations that might be important beyond grading such as behavior, communications, etc. These are student expectations, should there be some type of expectations for you as the instructor as well? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Lisa, I agree and I believe research has shown that the smaller personal classes either online or traditional are typically more effective. However, economics comes in to play and you see online courses with 200-300 in a class. We also now have MOOCs that are changing the learning landscape. It will be interesting to see what the research has to say about the effectiveness of MOOCs. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Letitia, The personal touch is extremely important in online classes today. Students do need to know that you are there and present in the courses and they are not alone in the learning process. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Lisa, Interesting view on the matter, thanks for your comments. I certainly don't want a nurse sticking me with a needle if they only "simulated" it online. :-) Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Responsibilities of Teaching Online

Letitia, It is certainly a commitment to do it right. If you are using an LMS/CMS the system tracks what the user has done or not done, but you are correct, to teach an online course correctly you need to be "present" in the course and active yourself. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Bruce, What tools do you see yourself using? Is all of your course going to be synchronous instruction or are you going to bring in other asynchronous components as well. For me a mix of many tools has been effective to reach and interact with the students. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Bruce, Great, I hope your experience goes well. The big things to remember are to be very clear on your expectations and organized. Stay connected with your students during the course so they feel your "presence" in the course. Be responsive to their questions and encourage their communications. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Managing Learner Behaviors

Mary, I do the same thing. My students get tired of my saying it, but I refer to it as making the content "real and relevant." I teach business education courses and I tell my future teachers that I expect them to make the course content (whatever it is) real and relevant for the students. Use real examples, real projects, real scenarios, anything that will help the students connect in a real way with their course content. Herbert Brown III

End of Content