Connecting the dots: Putting Regular and Substantive Interaction into practice

Concurrent Session 1

Session Materials

Brief Abstract

In 2020, the Department of Education issued definitions of “Regular,” “Substantive,” and "Interaction.” Since then, institutions have tried to translate these definitions into practical recommendations for faculty. This session will examine what institutions have posted on their websites related to Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI).

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Seth Gurell, Utah Valley University

Seth has been with UVU for over five years and currently serves as Director of Instructional Design Services. He received his Ph.D. from Brigham Young University in Instructional Psychology and Technology. His research interests include Open Educational Resources (OER), learning analytics, and instructional design management.

Extended Abstract

In 2020, the Department of Education issued clarification on the definition of “Regular,” “Substantive,” and “Interaction” (NC-SARA, 2020; Online Learning Consortium, 2019) or RSI. These guidelines distinguish between courses that are eligible for federal financial aid and those that are not. Given 75-94% of students are awarded financial aid, depending on institution type (National Center for Education Statistics, N.D.), it is critical for the vast majority of institutions to be in compliance.

The definitions outlined by the Department of Education are intentionally broad and leave room for interpretation. As a result, institutions have tried to translate these definitions into practical recommendations for faculty. 

This presentation will examine the results of an analysis of the guidance offered by institutions to their faculty regarding RSI through their website. The results will be categorized by those that are centered in the design and those related to delivery. The results will also be analyzed based on institution size, Carnegie classification, and publication date. Overall patterns will be drawn from the analysis. Through dialogue with the presenter attendees will understand how their practices compare to other institutions or how they can get started on their guidance for their own institutions. Handouts will be provided as a reference. 

 

National Center for Education Statistics (N.D.). Fast Facts: Financial Aid (31). Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=31

NC-SARA (2020). U.S. Department of Education Issues Final Rules on Distance Education and Innovation. Retrieved from https://nc-sara.org/news-events/us-department-education-issues-final-rules-distance-education-and-innovation

Online Learning Consortium. (2019). Regular and substantive interaction: Background, concerns, and guiding principles. Online Learning Consortium. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED593878.pdf.