Student-staff ratio is dear to quality assurance agencies. It is countable proxy for quality of teaching and learning. University rankings cite this proxy as their measure of teaching quality. John Hattie's meta-analysis shows that the effect of class size on performance is small to miniscule. Yet the ratio is still holds sway in programme assessments. Fail to meet it - a strong recommendation awaits the noncompliant.
The MOOCs blew up concept of class size. Theirs is massive by the thousands! Automated systems and AI were used to deal with routine issues while facilitators handled the creative and intellectual inquiries. With more self-directed learning, facilitators can cope with many more. There are a myriad of nifty tools which can help in rationing of help.
May be it is time to adopt a more nuanced and contextual view of the ratio. It is not just students to staff but students to staff time. Where teaching duties are small part of the total work, higher ratio may short change students. Assessors must judge in context and not pre-judge by numbers. One can be awfully wrong. Points to ponder.
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