Keisha,
Very nice approach to the issue. Thank you for the data collection you provided on the other schools. Very nice.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Otis,
This is a terrific perspective to compare. I think a lot of online instructors can relate to your description of (damage control) with the higher numbers.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Hi Dave,
In the most of my online experience, I have not had the opportunity to answer a question of this sort. The class size is set by the culture and the guidelines of the institution that I was employed at. I have taught with 4 people in an online class at a minimum and the highest has been 35 students in on online course.
I feel my optimal range is 15 students. I instruct history courses anywhere from 5-9 weeks. I think that keeping 15 people engaged for 9 weeks can be done. With 4 people, I find it hard to keep the discussion viable; in the opposite direction, 35 people, it may be hard to get all students directly involved in the discussion (although I have managed it). I find the number 15 allows me to be engaging to my students. When the students feel that, they become more into the course.
I used to be a supervisor of an assembly line. I found myself more successful with 15-20 person line than I did with a 55 person line. 15-20 students, I can instruct and teach. 35, I begin to feel I am putting out fires (damage control) and not teaching and getting the student learning outcomes.
That is a very good question. As this is my first time teaching online, and I currently only have one student, this is not something I have given much thought to. However, I decided to do some research on the topic to see what has been written concerning it. Here is a quote I found from this
website:http://www.designingforlearning.info/services/writing/number.htm
"So, how many students are “just right";for a Web course? Let’s summarize a few data points that we now have. In the Open University in the United Kingdom, a new online master’s degree course in distance learning will have a maximum of 15 students. At Regent University in Virginia, the maximum number they have in their online Ph.D. courses in communications is 12. Linda Harasim from Simon Fraser University recommends that 20 is about the right number for upper—division communications classes. "
With an online environment, we do not necessarily have to consider how much space we have to fit people in a room like we would in a brick and mortar school, but we do have to make sure that under any circumstance, the education that the students are receiving is quality.If I were to be doing research to come up with an ideal range for how many students I would have to an instructor online, I would use the data to observe at what maximum number does the number of students reach before there is a decline in student-teacher interaction, communication, and other elements of quality education. I would cap the number where the quantity causes quality to suffer.
David,
Good ratios and rationale. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Samia,
Very good points. Thank you for sharing your expertise.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Debra,
Good point. The content/skill area of study can make a big difference.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
CAROL,
Thank for your well-explained differentiation. Nicely done.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
It depends on the course and content. I have had as many as 35 (which is too many) and as few as 7 (which is a bit low). With the emphasis on quality interaction, etc., I would say somewhere around 20-1 for general types of courses. Math/Science where interaction is at a premium, 15-1 or so.
Joe, my sentiments totally. The course and the level dictate the need hence the ratio. It is interesting that the ratio differs greatly in ground, traditional, for profit universities; have you noticed this as well?
Accreditors seem to have their specific views on this topic.
Samia
I am an online facilitator and my answer would definitely have to be related to the course. I have taught some classes where the ratios have varied anywhere between 20:1 and 41:1. I believe that in Associate Level classes and introductory developmental one the ratio should not exceed 20:1. This allows the facilitator to offer profound feedback and a bit of hand holding so to speak.
At Bachelors and Masters the ratio of 26:1 would be quite effective and still affording the facilitaor the opportunity for substantive feedback and dialogue.
I teach online in a Visual Communications department. Due to the level of formative feedback necessary to successfully critique digital artwork in a discussion board, a smaller ratio is always better.
Carol Sagers – Response
What seems to be a simple question has no simple answer to me. The optimal ratio may vary according to a) the complexities of the course content, b) the ease & effectiveness of the course management system and c) the student comprehension levels.
Online learning environments have experienced significant growth, particularly in education-for-profit entities, during the last decade. Some suggest that this growth includes students who might not be as successful in traditional learning environments. This being said, I have taught online courses in education-for-profit institutions to students who are experiencing college for the first time. I have encountered students who have fundamental difficulties with writing, sentence structure and grammar. So it is not surprising that these students have difficulty with content that is a bit complex (other soft skills get in the way of their ability to demonstrate course content understanding). In situations such as this, a low student-teacher ratio is optimal. The teacher needs to assist the student with multiple learning requirements in order to achieve the learning objectives. In this case, the optimal ratio may be low (perhaps no more than 20 to 1).
On the other hand, I have had online courses with students who are about to receive their Bachelor Degree. These students understand basic concepts, they understand how to deliver requirements, and they are motivated.....learning at a quick pace. In this case, the optimal student-teacher ratio may be higher (perhaps 30-35 to 1).
Rick,
These are all good points. Do you have any references on the most recent research you mentioned? Thanks for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Robert,
Good points and a nice ratio. Very good on the feedback.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I think the best ratio is 15-1. You do not want too few students in the course because at some point and time the participation and collaboration in discussion board threads would not lead to much scholarly collaboration with the discussion threads. Too many students in a course then places stress and pressure on the intructor to meet grading and feedback deadlines. Above all- the research shows that the smaller student-instructor ratio; the higher level and quality of learning takes place.
I would say that it's roughly 15 to 1. This way, I can more adequately develop a relationship with each student and get to know them better. Plus, my grading can be done more extensively and quickly to provide more immediate and detailed feedback.
Amanda,
Many instructors find the grouping of students to be a significant component of total class management. In discussions, class chat sessions, bi-directional lectures/presentations some teachers find it helpful to have the smaller group. Of course, for grading papers and answering individual emails there is little difference. What is your experience?
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Jingxi,
Your parameters and rationale are in agreeemnt with many. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Christine,
Very good points, especially for your content area.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
