Methodologies to Determine Class Sizes for Fair Faculty Work Load in Web Courses

Abstract

This paper presents two modeling approaches that can be used to determine student class sizes for instructors who teach Web-based courses. The methodologies act to provide assurance to faculty that they will not have to compromise quality of instruction when teaching a Web course, nor have to sacrifice time away from research or service activities to develop and manage a Web course. These methodologies will also help department chairs plan student class size limitations to achieve “fairness” in asking instructors to adopt and teach Web courses at their universities. The models are applied to actual Web course experience at a university to demonstrate their practicality. Results of the application revealed faculty processing efficiencies that are inherent in offering Web-based courses and efficacy of the modeling approach.

Does Smaller Class Size Affect Students Performance In Basic Statistics Class? An Empirical Study

“…However, these studies have continued unabated. For example, several recent studies have contributed significantly to the research knowledge about class size and student performance ( Robison, 2002;Scheck and Kinicki, 1994;Sigo, 2003;Smith, 2004;Stoddard, 2003;Tam and Bassett, 2004;Zuckweiler et al 2004;). These research findings point more toward the beneficial effects of smaller class size.…”