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 Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Lisa, Can you elaborate on what you believe the ideal ratio is? Is it 35 students to 1 instructor? What are some factors that might influence that ratio? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

cynthia, Do you think there are any specific factors that might affect the optimal size of the course, or do you suggest that 20-30 would be optimal for any course? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Taryn, Excellent comments. You are right on target. This is also what most of the current research is showing! Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Providing Feedback

Taryn, These are all great strategies to connect with the students in the scenario. Rubrics are paramount in assessment. They provide the clear framework for both the student and the instructor so there is no confusion on the assessment of someone's work. Making that personal connection with the students to work everything out is also critical. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Taryn, Go list of expectations. I find that I have to be much more detailed in my expectations than I was in my traditional classes. That difference comes from the direct interaction every couple of days with the students that makes it easier for an instructor to "clarify" the information provided in the original syllabus. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Keith, The personal face to face communications feel more natural because that is what we are used to. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Keith, It is very difficult at times. The more you communicate via email you can start to get some idea of indirect communication in emails as well. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Keith, What do you think would be ideal? Too few and you can't always get a good discussion dynamic, too many and it is hard to give them all personal feedback. Admin. is driven by the bottom line $$$, what they determine is not always the optimal "teaching" number. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Keith, I would agree that these can be considerations in determining ratio. I would also suggest that the content and level of the course content might be contributing factors. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Jamilya, We are definitely seeing a growth in online learning, but I agree that many learners still want the traditional on-campus experience. Some programs (content) are also much more difficult to conduct completely online and will be much slower to migrate to an online format. Herbert Brown III

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