Through personal experience, I have found that 15 to 20 students is a solid online student to instructor ratio. I have taught courses where there have only been 8 students and this has made the discussion forums a challenge. There has been limited interaction on the topics and these have become instructor led as opposed to student interactive.
I have also taught course with 35 students in them. With this high number of students, I have not felt as connected personally with the students and interaction is spread thin. Of course, there is also a huge time commitment to providing formal assessments as well. As a result, the assessments become "canned" as opposed to personalized.
The ratio of 15 or 20 students to instructor has demonstrated a positive balance. In my experience, this appears to be an appropriate number of students to keep the discussion forums moving forward and allowing the students to learn from each other as opposed to only the instructor.
Laurie
Ketul,
I was just curious, most people fall within this general range (15-25) for the same reasons you specify. I have yet to hear anyone say 200 is appropriate; however, I know of schools that are doing that - and not as a MOOC.
Herbert Brown III
I think the ratio depends on the course content and structure. I've taught an environmental course online with only three students. The weekly activities include the online discussion, webinar, quiz or a drop box type of assignment. But it is difficult to get students to interact with each other as they solely response to me.
Then on a blended platform, which I have about 15 students. What I learned is the discussion threads could be difficult to manage. There are many "filler" students posted that doesn't have much content to it. I ended up redirecting a lot of them, and almost try to redirect the conversation to every post.
I guess the
Herbert I would say that 20-25 students is a optimal student-instructor ratio. The reasoning behind my number choice is to ensure each student gets the personalized attention they need and at the same time to make sure the instructor also as a good work life balance.
Viktoria,
I think it is interesting that you suggest a smaller ratio for a blended course than a fully online course. For me, the ratio would be the reverse and I would prefer a few more in a blended than an online because of the logistics of facilitating an online course. Can you explain a little more why a smaller blended works for you - I am curious.... thanks
Herbert Brown III
Ernest,
I agree that there are many factors that influence this ratio. For my classes and the way I have them designed, I find that 10-15 for graduate level courses and 15-20 for undergraduate courses works best for me. These are of course not "hard" numbers, but they work for most classes.
Herbert Brown III
I teach blended courses, so I think the optimal ratio would be not more than 10 students/instructor. If it would be just an online course, when I don't know personally the participants, the ratio could be higher.
I do not believe that there is a "optimal" ratio. I belive that the ratio has to be assessed on the basis of many factors: type of course, course content, students' background knowledge, students' knowledge of technology used for the course, diversity of the class, etc.
My assumption would be that smaller is probably better than larger, as long as the number of students is conducive to discussions, group projects, etc. that are a part of the eduational experience. I would also think that the point at which a class becomes "too large" would also be determined by the factors previously mentioned.
CLAUDIU ,
Unfortunately that doesn't usually happen the decision makers are the administrators. If you had to pick a number range from your experiences what might it be? The range at which the quality of the instruction decreases? Are there factors that effect your optimal range?
Herbert Brown III
the optimal online class should be determined primarily by the instructor. If/when the instructor gauges that the quality of interaction decreases, the class sizes can be reduced.
Kimberly,
Can you clarify what you mean about skills and lecturing classes. Many online environments include all aspects of learning? Why do you see this strong of a difference between them?
Herbert Brown III
I feel the best ratio is 7:1 for classes that require skills training. When lecturing classes the ratio should not exceed 15:1.
Kimberly,
In this current economy we are all experiencing this unfortunately. That is the importance of this message. Even with budget cuts should we just now say 50 per class is acceptable? Something has to give budget or not if quality education is going to be maintained. Do you have a magic number from your experiences 10-20 for example?? Are there other factors that might influence this ratio?
Herbert Brown III
Traci,
So your optimal number would be between 10-20? Have you found that there can be too few? Is it the same for all classes or are there factors that might influence the ratio?
Herbert Brown III
I have had a minimum of 10 students up to a maximum of 20. I felt that I could spend more time on replies to my students and their needs with less in the class.
I teach at a private community-career college where we promote low student teacher ratios (8:1)meaning better individualized attention to the student. But due to budget cuts we are experiencing faculty lay-offs causing classes being dropped and increasing a larger number of students per classroom size.
I think this depends on the class dynamic. Online classes can have different personalities just like real-time classes do.
With that being said, I think fourteen to one is a decent average, it allows for the overachievers to blossom and gives you time to tend to the underachievers and all those in between. I have had classes with much more and a few less, and this seems about perfect. The number allows for a good class dynamic, and for lots of time to respond and grade.
I generally have classes of 20 to 30 students at the graduate healthcare level. But I approach each one individually acknowledging their introductions and adjusting my expectations to their experience in the field. Groups are set at five students per group and I interact with their group DBs several times during the assignment. I find that the larger classes are easier for me to work with than the smaller sizes because lecture/chats become more interactive and attendance is greater. There tends to be more interest and questions regarding the cases and topics for the week. Naturally grad students are more familiar with the technology and accustom to the course expectations. Many of my students are with me for two to four courses and are comfortable with the style of delivery.
I believe 15-20 students to one teacher is a good ratio in terms of a teacher having enough time for each student's questions, concerns, and needs. More students than that number would make it a bit more difficult for the teacher to facilitate enough time for each student. Less students would decrease the amount of interaction/discussion with other students and bring less view points to discussions.
I think no more than 25 students in a course. Any more than that and your comments on their papers will be hurried, your emails to them will be few and far between, and in short, you will not be able to give them the time and attention they deserve and require in an online course.
