Distance Education Policy

DEFINITIONS:

Distance Learning: Classes offered in Online Asynchronous, Online Scheduled, and Hybrid modalities.

Course modalities:

1. In-Person: Face-to-face classes with scheduled meeting times which does not require the use of web-based tools. Classes meet at scheduled times and locations.
2. Online Asynchronous: Classes in which all required instruction occurs online asynchronously (without a set time to attend but within a specified time frame) using web-based tools. There are no required real-time (synchronous) class meetings; however, the instructor may choose to offer optional hours and other activities where attendance is not required. Remote proctored exams are an allowable activity for this classification.
3. Online Scheduled: Online classes where instruction takes place synchronously (virtual meetings held at specific days and times noted in the class schedule) using internet/web-based tools. The class may include activities held asynchronously (without a set time to attend). Remote proctored exams are an allowable activity for this instruction mode.
4. Hybrid: Classes that displaces some, but not all face-to-face instruction time with web-based tools. On-site or remotely-proctored exams are allowed for this classification.
5. Individualized Instruction: One-to-one instruction in which a student meets individually with an instructor according to a mutually agreed upon schedule and plan. This instruction mode may include internships, personalized tutoring, or specialized content classes where students collaborate with faculty or staff to develop individualized learning agreements and/or learning outcomes. May also include practicums, co-ops, or service-learning activities.

Regular and Substantive Interaction: The U.S. Department of Education requires that all
online courses and programs include regular and substantive interaction (RSI) between students
and their instructors. The Department of Education defines “regular and substantive interaction”
as engaging students in teaching, learning and assessment, that is consistent with the course
content under discussion. Please see the CTOL page for more information on RSI
(https://spscc.edu/ctol/teaching-tools).

POLICY:

1. SPSCC will offer Online Asynchronous, Online Scheduled, Hybrid, and Individualized Instruction courses in addition to In-Person classes.
2. SPSCC and faculty teaching Online Asynchronous, Online Scheduled, or Hybrid classes will comply with all federal guidelines for regular and substantive interaction in distance learning courses and programs.
3. Students should expect that all courses at SPSCC will use an online Learning Management System (LMS) to deliver some course content, and be prepared with adequate internet and technological resources to access such content.
4. For each class, including In-Person classes, at SPSCC, faculty will, at a minimum, use the college-designated LMS to:
   1. Post the syllabus
   2. Post and maintain grades
   3. Perform college assessment activities
5. SPSCC will provide regular ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance distance instruction.
6. SPSCC complies with all federal guidelines for identity verification in distance learning courses and programs.