Between 10 t0 40 students.
Less than 10 students it is hard for learners to participate in discussion board activities. More than 40 it is hard to keep up with the various and divers postings.
20:1
Large enough to stimulate high levels of participation but not enogh to have participation be overwhelming.
Thomas,
Yes, your perspective accurately reflects what I have heard from many instructors and experienced firsthand. Thank you for contributing you insight.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I believe that it very much depends on what the course curriculum is. Lower level courses maybe 20-25 to 1. Courses that will require much more in depth instructor/student interaction (certain mathematics courses, upper level classes, science courses etc.) more like 15 to 1.
Tom
Elizabeth,
Very well stated. Your opinion coincides with the majority of online instructors. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Jeannette,
This is with the ranges I have found. There does not yet seem to be definitive agreement on the 'right' numbers. At least one national accrediting bureau has required a maximum class size of 25 in online courses. So we may be making progress.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
It is important that the online classroom observe an optimal online student-instructor ratio. Too many students, and the instructor will struggle to meet each of the educational needs of the learner. I'm not espoused to a hard and fast rule as to a certain number, but generally a class should not exceed 20-25 for any particular instructor.
Research indicates that for Undergraduate level with relatively low taxonomy the optimal ratio is 24:1. However, at the graduate level where higher levels on the taxonomy are generally required and more expertise is needed for mastery the ration drops to 15:1. Unfortunately, in the for profit sector, these are rarely followed.
Jane,
Your preference is in agreement with a great many online instructors. While there is some research to support the position that larger classes indicate no significant reduction in student satisfaction or mastery of outcomes, there is also research that indicates a detriment to educational quality in larger classes over 20 students. There is still a great deal of research to be accomplished before more conclusive "best class sizes for online classes" standards can be set. Thank you for sharing your helpful insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Hi,
In my classes the ratio is often 30 - 35:1 (students:faculty). I find that when class size is smaller, I get to have more interaction with students as individuals and find I have a better connection to them.
I understand that data was collected that show that there is no difference in student success or retention when class sizes were reduced from 35 students to 15 students, but perhaps this is not the only measure of student satisfaction. Instructor satisfaction, timeliness of posting grades, level of faculty interaction or any other data regarding the instructor's view of the smaller course size was not collected nor taken into consideration.
From experience, I believe a ratio of 15 - 20:1 is optimum. I have taught courses with 10 students. In such a small class, it takes only a few non-participants to reduce the activity on the DB to a level so low that the remaining students have difficulty meeting participation requirements and developing a meaningful discussion. In courses with 30 or more students, there is very little interaction between students even when they are required to respond to their classmates. There are so many posts to the DB, that a student can choose to read just a few to meet any requirement. A rapport among students does not develop. With the smaller class size of 15 - 20, students will recognize each others' posts from week to week and a better dialogue results.
Edward,
Good numbers and sound rationale. Thanks.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Optimal for me would be in the range of 10-15 students.
While I have taught classes on as small as a 1:1 basis, that provides an enormous opportuntity to work with an individual student, however, it provides for no input from other students. Too small a class eliminates, or at least limits, debate and discussion of issues from people whose views may differ and have valuable input.
Too large a class on the other hand (I.E. - over 30 students) might get a bit overwhelming and reduce the amount of time and attention that can be given to each student. It could also limit the amount that each student gets to participate in interactive events.
Austin,
These are very realistic and widely accepted. Very good.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
20 for Undergraduate
15 for Graduate
TAMMY,
Very good. Excellent rationale and reasonable assumptions. It seems this is a popular range for today's online climate. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Hello David,
I think the appropriate ratio depends on the class, students, and the course management system. However, the administration has to weigh the cost effectiveness factors and may not offer a class every term/session if the number of enrollments does not justify offering the course.
Smaller classes are preferable (15-1) if you are required to lecture, workshop, grade, chat, respond to calls & emails, as well as follow the students online activity and attendance. Especially if the course management system and grading mechanisms are somewhat labor intensive and time consuming.
Ultimately I think that a 15-1 or 20-1 ratio is optimal as it would be easier to manage and monitor all of the responsibilities I listed above. But of course the higher the ratio, the greater the likelyhood of something falling through the cracks.
John,
This is a maqnageble number for most instructors in most classes. Thanks for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I feel that 15-20/1 instructoris appropriate. Typically this is a good number to ensure that the instructor can provide feedback to the students.
Annabel,
This is very inline with what most online instructors indicate, for many of the same reasons. Thank you for your contribution to the forum.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Hello!
I have taught courses that had between 5 and up to 40 students. I feel that courses around 20 students were extremely successful. There were enough students to create multiple teams for teamwork. In addition, the students were able to get to know each other better through the course discussions. When there are more than 20, then students felt like a number within the online classroom. In addition, the larger courses were more difficult to manage. When there are less than 20 students, there seems to be a lot less interaction. It seems that most students are shy within the online classroom. As a result, I believe that online courses should use 20 students per instructor as a guideline in order for the course to be successful.
