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

Dan, Why not do a lot of synchronous, LIVE class sessions to get that same effect. Record them for the students that can't connect LIVE. You don't have to give up the great things you do in a face to face class just because it went online. Look at all of the tools at your disposal and create the same interactive learning environment online that you have in a traditional classroom. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Daneen, I could see where a live chat session with that many students would be difficulty, at least to ensure everyone is interacting and the logistics of who is talking, needs to talk, chatting, etc. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Denese, Blended and hybrid learning environments are growing rapidly in popularity because of the power of online tools being used in traditional learning environments. I think we will see most learning environments go to at least a hybrid model to benefit from the useful online tools. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Daneen, I also teach writing courses online, but I was concerned that I was doing all their work with track changes and all they had to do was "accept" the changes and resubmit their work. Now I use the "inking" feature in Word with my tablet PC and stylus and I mark up their papers using proofreading marks as I normally would with a printed copy, save my comments and provide them to the students. That way they have to go back and fix everything indicated. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Erin, I would say that many people report a 15-20:1 ratio for most of their courses so that would be in line with your 20 max. (or as it sounds that would be the high end). I agree each course is very different and based on the factors you have identified and others, I believe those should determine the ideal for a specific course. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Daneen, To me, 12 sounds a little low to be able to get the interaction from discussion forums and the ideal student to student interaction. My optimal is more in the 15-20:1 range. Have you found that more than 12 is difficult to handle, or what other factors are influencing your decision here? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Assisting the Online Student

John, It is great that you have access to a personal counselor in your program. I typically have to do it all myself; however, the more I connect with the student and try to communicate with them, I can usually reach them and help them. If they want to be helped. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

John, Good point, most universities have realized that online is not going away and have created at least SOME online programs. The trick is for the university to find the "niche" programs that they can successfully put online. Blended and hybrid environments are also becoming very popular with universities. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Will Online Learning Replace the Traditional Classroom?

Antonia, We are seeing a strong growth in blended or hybrid environments and online still is growing; however, I would agree that online is unlikely to completely replace the traditional classroom. In addition to preference, skills programs such as welding, surgery, and such would require a substantial in person presence. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Antonia, What about the interclass interaction in the discussion boards, etc. Can you get the level of interaction you need with only 10 students? Many find the optimal level to be around 15 or 20:1 to get the interaction they need in discussions. Herbert Brown III

End of Content