Module Definitions

Here are some key definitions that will be referenced in this module.

Correspondence Education

Education provided through an online course, where the interaction between the instructor and the student is not regular and substantive, and it is primarily initiated by the student. Correspondence courses are typically self-paced. Correspondence education is not distance education.

Instructor

Individual responsible for delivering course content and who meets the qualifications for instruction.

Online Learning (Distance Education)

Education that delivers instruction to students who are separated from the instructor and that supports regular and substantive interaction between students and the instructor synchronously or asynchronously.

Regular Interaction

Requires an institution to ensure, “before the student completes a course or competency,” that there is “the opportunity for substantive interactions with the student on a predictable and scheduled basis commensurate with the length of time and the amount of content in the course or competency.” The institution also is responsible for monitoring the student’s academic engagement and success and ensuring that an instructor is responsible for promptly and proactively engaging in substantive interaction with the student when needed based on such monitoring or upon request by the student.

Substantive Interaction

Engaging students in teaching, learning, and assessment, consistent with the content under discussion. It must include at least two of five components:

Providing direct instruction
Assessing or providing feedback on a student’s coursework
Providing information or responding to questions about the content of a course or competency
Facilitating a group discussion regarding the content of a course or competency