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

Andrea, I agree with your reference to "tone." I have been teaching many years online and find that I can pick up the tone of message rather well. This is something that comes with time and experience online. First time online instructors will have to work on developing this over time. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Aida, It depends on the design of the course as well. Many people will say that entry level courses might have a higher ratio like 20 or 25:1 and upper level or graduate courses might have a 15:1. This is often correlated with the "design" of the course. For example, more discussions, and in-depth analysis of information would require more effort on both the student and instructor and therefore would ideally be a smaller ratio. These types of designs are often connected with upper level or graduate course content and therefore the correlation. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Charolette, Do you believe there is an optimal number? What do you think that is? Are there factors that might cause that ratio to vary? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Andrea, I like that your expectations reflect some student and instructor expectations, such as how and when an instructor should be expected to provide feedback. I believe it is important that we, as instructors, have clear expectations for our own behavior as well as student behaviors. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Engaging Learners in Discussion

ANTHONY, Do you also require a certain level of depth in the response or just that the students respond to 2 other posts? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Ra'kia, There has certainly been strong growth in online learning, but there are still many students, as you mention, that prefer and have the characteristics to be stronger academically in a traditional classroom. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

ANTHONY, I wonder if they did any research when they made that change to determine any positive or negative effects from that decision? I would guess probably not, as many of these decisions are based solely on the bottom line financials. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

ANTHONY, Do you feel that a ratio of 20:1 works for all courses and levels or do you think that there are different ratios based on these and other factors? What factors might influence that ratio? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

ANTHONY, I agree these are all important. Are there any specifics in these categories that you use that have been very helpful or effective for you? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Responsibilities of Teaching Online

Sabrina, The form of online you describe is specific to your organization and processes. As you also describe, there are many tools that allow for live web conferencing and interaction that would facilitate these methods and actions. Herbert Brown III

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