Lori,
These are all very good points. The overload of 'doing' can impinge on the instructor's resources for in-depth engagement. Do some schools' operational models promote quantity of activity (discussion postings, emails, phone calls, etc.) over quality and outcomes in an effort to establish management metrics?
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Hala,
Very good point. Know your students in order to meet their needs and establish class structure (including ratio).
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
In my opinion the optimal online student instructor ratio is 20 to 1. Although online learning is considered group learning, more than 20 students can be challenging especially when you are required to respond to every student.
I have had up to 30+ students and at one point I was only required to respond to 20% of the class but the rules changed to respond to 100% of the class. My focus had been to provide thoughtful and provoking discussions, but now I have to divide the work load up over a course of days and focus on getting the job done quicker because I also have to grade three assignments per student as well.
Online teaching isn’t just about providing discussion and grading papers. I am concerned about the level of engagement that my students are receiving and larger class size prohibits that engagement.
I would agree with several of the comments posted, and summarize by saying that some of the most noteworthy variables include the students themselves and their willingness to participate.
Jeanne,
You are correct on many counts. There are many variables.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Pamela,
This seems like an ideal ratio that many instructors could endorse. Do you have one or two specific rationale points to support this position for your particular course? Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
The optimal numerical student-instructor ratio for my particular class would be 12.
This will be my first on-line course, so I cannot speak from experience! I am hoping that my numbers will be 10 or less to 1. I can see from reading some of the many posts that there is a wide range of opinions regarding the correct number to be managed. My guess is that, like any class, much depends upon the abilities and chemistry of those who make up the class, as well as my management skills as a facilitator.
Hello Alana,
Thank you for dharing your experience. The 15:1 ratio seems like an ideal for me, too. The parameters you identified for your five week course sound like they may be challenging for the students, as well. Hang in there!
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Hi Dr. Vaillancourt
My dream online student-instruction ration is 15 to 1. I know it is at least 25 or more per course. My highest online course has been 42 students in a 5 week course with two assignments per week (DB and IP paper). It was very hard to teach since it was the "first" course in our M.Ed. program and I have to teach a lot of items. For example, how to be an online student, learning APA, learning time management along with the "course content". I have been teaching online for over 10 years now.
Thanks
Alana
Pamela,
These are all well-founded parameters for determining the optimal ratio. In your experience, what would be the numerical ratio that would fulfill these factors? Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
The optimal online student-instructor ratio, in my opinion, would be one that would allow me enough time to prepare and grade and review my students' assignments outside of the class with enough time to devote to creating well-prepared and interesting course material for each lesson while allowing me enough time to devote enough time to each student individually one-on-one to further enhance their particlar learning style and address their questions or concerns.
Les,
Very good discussion points. These factors and your rationale are well stated.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
There is probably no optimal number because each class will have different requirements. For instance, a higher level math class would benefit from a smaller student to instructor ratio (possibly less than 10:1) because it would allow the instructor to provide her or his students with more one-on-one time. Conversely, the class size for a communications 101 course would not be appreciably impacted if the size was 20:1 and maybe even 30:1. As a whole, I would argue that anything more than a 20:1 ratio takes away from the instructor's ability to spend quality time with the students.
Nicholas,
Your recommendation is consistent with most experienced online instructors.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Nicholas,
Excellent discussion. Right on.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Kimberley,
Yes, your rationale is sound. Additionally, the 15:1 ratio may not be low for graduate courses and writing courses at all levels. The content is a contributor to the optimal ratio number.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I agree with the 20s. Most college level face to face courses tend to be in the 30-40 range. While the course works it often is at a level that the instructor must limit the amount of individual attention to those who go out of their way to request it rather than the instructor being able to give all some individual attention. I find that classes in the 20 allow me the extra time to really address each students concerns and give the individual attention that should come with learning at a critical thinking level.
This is going to depend largely on the type of course, material covered, and assignments. In general online courses require more individual attention between the instructor and the learners. While, the announcements and office hours can be available to all learners, issues are often raised and resolved through individual contact. Specifically through email and chat rooms. As a result the instructor must put in more time. This would indicate a needed decrease in the ratio. The complexity of the material would also need to be considered. In general though the ratio could be similar to face to face courses 1-20.
I think that the optimal online student ratio should be 15 to 1. I know that we have more student taking courses so maybe 15 students to one instructor might be a little low.
However I think that with this ratio the instructor can actually have the opportunity to get to know their students and foster more of a relationship with their students. This will help both parties fulfill the overall goal of learning and undersatnding the material and doing well in the course.
