In a recent LinkedIn post, Shreyasdoshi discusses the critical metrics for evaluating the success of online teaching, emphasizing retention as the primary indicator of content usefulness and engagement.
Shreyasdoshi begins by stating the core metric that guides their evaluation:
“This is the main leading indicator metric I care about for my teaching, because it directly relates to (a) the usefulness of the content, and (b) how engaging the teaching is”
The Importance of Retention in Online Education
The author elaborates on how student retention within a live session provides direct feedback on the quality and impact of the educational material. As Shreyasdoshi notes, high retention rates signal that students find the content valuable and the delivery engaging enough to maintain their attention over extended periods.
Shreyasdoshi shared an example from a recent Product Sense cohort, where the retention through a five-hour class was deemed particularly strong. This success is contextualized by the diverse geographical spread of the students.
Addressing Global Time Zone Challenges
According to Shreyasdoshi, a significant portion of the students, approximately 30%, were joining the live sessions from Europe and Asia, participating late in their respective evenings. This global participation, while a testament to the course’s reach, also introduces challenges related to student fatigue and the natural expectation of drop-offs during optional segments.
Shreyasdoshi points out the reality of participation in such extended online learning environments:
“This current Product Sense cohort’s retention through the 5 hour class is considered quite good. A large majority of students are US-based but easily 30% are joining late in the evening from Europe & Asia, so it is expected that people drop off for the optional Q&A session after the 5 hour class (they watch the recording afterwards).”
In Shreyasdoshi’s view, understanding these drop-off points, particularly during optional sessions like Q&A, is crucial. It does not necessarily detract from the overall success of the core teaching content, especially when students opt to catch up via recordings. This nuanced understanding allows educators to differentiate between engagement with the primary material and participation in supplementary activities.
Focusing on Core Engagement
Shreyasdoshi’s emphasis on retention as a leading indicator suggests a strategic approach to online course design and delivery. By prioritizing how well students stay engaged with the main content, educators can better gauge the effectiveness of their teaching methods and the relevance of their curriculum. This metric, Shreyasdoshi argues, provides a more direct measure of learning impact than other potential performance indicators.
The insights shared by Shreyasdoshi offer valuable perspectives for other educators and course creators looking to optimize their online offerings and understand what truly drives student engagement and perceived value in a globalized digital learning landscape.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Shreyasdoshi on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on June 14, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →