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

LaToya, The more you do online the more you can pick up some of these mannerisms in the students' written communication. The tone of their email messages, the wording they are using....these are just a few but it is hard sometimes and you get a little better at it over time but it is of course still not the same as in person. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Dr. Ruby, Do you do any synchronous sessions with your students? Sometimes students will connect to live synch. sessions and be more likely to say they do not understand and ask for additional examples. I can see where this would/could be problematic for your student population. All you can do is make yourself as available as possible and provide as many diverse examples as possible to help the students understand the material. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Peter, Another limitation of small courses as identified by numerous folks in the forum is the lack of student to student interaction in discussion forums. The smaller the number of students, as you identified, the less diversity in assignment responses, but also the limited interaction between students since there are few to interaction with. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

LaToya, So are you suggesting that you don't have to give students any written expectations in a course and everything will be fine? Is it ok for students to expect you to respond to their emails at 2am? Is it ok for students to expect you as the instructor to give them immediate feedback on assignments (within 1 hour)? What about your expectations for your students and their effort in the course? Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Assisting the Online Student

Katrena , It is sad when you get students like this. It is still our responsibility to attempt to reach them and get them reconnected to the online classroom, but as you indicate, sometimes there are forces at play that we cannot overcome and we are still not successful. As long as we have tried all we can to reach them. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Assisting the Online Student

Katrena , I like how you are connecting with them through multiple mechanisms. Many times it is easy for them to ignore your emails, but if you can get through to them via phone, text, etc. you have a better chance to reach the struggling student and get them the help they need to succeed. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

The Optimal Online Student-Instructor Ratio

Elizabeth, I have found something similar, specifically a 15-20:1 ratio depending on the course I teach. I find the course design (assignments, etc.) the amount of interaction, the level of the content and the intensity of the writing in the course all also play a role in the student to instructor ratio. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Engaging Learners in Discussion

Elizabeth, The inclusion of real life stories and situations are very important in assignments in my opinion as well as assignments with enough flexibility for students to customize their work around their personal interests. These elements really motivate the students to engage the content in a deeper more meaningful way. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Instructor Presence

Elizabeth, Communication does always seem to be a challenge in online courses. I try to include discussions that require them to interact with one another any myself as the instructor. I also try to ask them follow up questions that they have to answer to obtain the credit for the assignment. Even then, it is still sometimes hard to do. Herbert Brown III

Herbert Brown III

Discussion Comment

Faculty Expectations

Elizabeth, I personally find that I have to include a lot more course detail and written expectations at the beginning of the online course than I normally have to for a traditional course. If I do not, then it become problematic later in the semester with communications and other expectations. I also find that it is important to list not only student expectations, but also expectations the students should have for me (instructor expectations). These elements help to "define" the course. Herbert Brown III

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