Thomas,
Excellent ratios and rationale. Thanks.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I teach online at two universities. There is no question that fewer rather than more students is better. At one university the ratio is 1:35 and at the other it's 1:18. A huge difference in the level at which I can interact with the students and the level at which they interact with each other which is just as important. When you are teaching a subject matter with complex concepts and ideas, the smaller class size is better. There may be subjects for which class size is not as much of a factor.
I have instructed a multitude of courses at universities over the years, and I believe that the optimal student-instructor ratio is about 25-1 for under graduate courses and 15-1 four graduate courses. This number will of course vary based on the subject, and the amount of work being submitted in the course, However this is a good rule of thumb. By capping the number of students in the course, it allows the instructor to engage at a higher level in the discussions and provides enough time to provide formative feedback to students on their work.
Dr. Fabian,
Your experience and rationale are solid indicators that this is an optimal ratio for the classes you have taught. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I teach online classes at various universities and I have found the optimal student-instructor ratio to be 30-1. This number various based on the type of course, course objectives/outcomes, length of course and the amount of work students will be submitting. This allows the teacher to have ample time to give quality feedback to students on their work and be able to interact with them in a meaningful and substantive way.
Dr. Aron,
This would maximize the individualization advantages of an online environment. Especially for higher level students with very in-depth technical and theoretical information. I see these numbers more often in graduate courses.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Robert,
Your point is well taken. The wider variety of perspectives brought into the conversation can create an excellent opportunity for learning. Very good. Thank you.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Elizabeth,
Very good point. Often when you can allude to a personal characteristic (within appropriate limits) in class discussions it can enhance the student's bond to you.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
The optimal online student-instructor ratio is 10:1. This environment makes a very well organized environment. Faculty are able to provide one-on-one feedback to students. Students can actively respond and work in an environment they are able to learn from each other better in.
Dr.Aron
I teach healthcare courses for AIU. Larger classes of 25+ are more enjoyable for me and the class students. It produces more interaction in the DBs, live chat sessions, and invites more information about the core issues being studied. Students seem eager to talk about the contemporary issues in HC such as reform and hospital administration. The larger class size invites an array of comments about today's topics.
I would say 25-30 students as I have found that to be the best ratio for allowing me to provide thoughtful responses and questions on the Discussion Boards as well as 'remembering' students and personal information about them. This number also allows more time to be spent on providing feedback on their weekly assignments.
The intent of my last statement was to observe the student-instructor ratio from the context of the student and from the context of the institution. When delivering two courses with 35 students each, the institution realizes a student-instructor ratio for Jerry Keesee of 70:1.
The institution pays for each course delivered so I would be paid for delivering two courses. Using this example, the institution realizes optimum "bang for the buck".
Walt,
Thank you for sharing your experience and projection. I wish you the best as you teach online.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Jerry,
Thank you for your in-depth response. This is excellent information. As I understand your last state, the institution pays the instructor the same for one section of 35 as it does for two sections?
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Dave,
Yes, these are all significant factors to consider. Good point.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I don't have an answer since I have not instructed an online course (yet) or taken any lessons. This just happens to be one of my many questions about online courses. I have instructed on-campus courses that are designed to also be online. In the campus setting we are limited to class room size. I have easily managed 3 - 5 online ready courses with up to 25 students each. I assume the optimal number would be higher than 25 per actual online course.
I agree with Sener (2011) that there is no optimal student-instructor ratio. In my opinion, there are just too many variables involved to assign an optimal value.
For example, the learning structure, including the CMS, is more important in supporting student learning than the number of students in the class (Senner, 2011). Additionally, Jarvela and Hakkinen (as cited in Oestmann & Oestmann, 2009) state that the experience of the instructor in delivering online courses significantly affects student learning.
I personally agree with those who have posted that the level of the course, both programmatically and in Bloom’s, significantly affects the number of students that I can comfortably handle.
Research supports larger class sizes (>20 students) for online courses based on measurement of learning outcomes (Oestmann & Oestmann, 2009). Instructor-centered learning generally leads to a lower student-instructor ratio (Sener, 2011). However, opportunities for student-centered learning through discussion board postings are higher in a large online course (Oestmann & Oestmann, 2009).
In reading some of the other postings, I note that many have relied on the student-instructor ratio at their school to provide the answer. At my school, the class-size is 35. However, if I deliver two courses, is the student ratio now 70:1 or is it still 35:1. Students in my classes see it as 35:1 because of my interactivity with them, but the school sees it as a 70:1 business cost.
References
Oestmann, E., & Oestmann, J. (2009). Significant differences in learning outcomes and online class size. Retrieved from OEI Consulting: http://www.oeinet.org/JOE.htm
Sener, J. (2011). Online class size. Retrieved from Sener Knowledge LLC: http://senerlearning.com/?q=node/108
Well, it depends, i.e., it's situational. the course subject, assignment difficulty, student preparedness, and degree status (undergrad or grad) are all relevant dimensions that would affect an amenable balanced ratio.
Dr. Dave Hinkes, DBA, DBA
James,
Your comparison of the class size to management at work is a good analogy. The 15-20 is part of the mainstream thought on this. I am curious about what classes (topics and rigor) would you recommend maximum class sizes of 3-5? Thank you for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Depends on the topics and the rigor of the course, so it is hard to come up with a set number that is usable in all courses. It is like managing people at work, sometimes 3-5 is a maximum that you can do effectively while other times it could be 15-20.
