Kaskaskia College has systems in place to ensure it provides a quality, comprehensive educational experience in its distance learning offerings that meets the requirements established by the United States Department of Education (US DoE 34 CFR 600.2) for regular and substantive education (as defined in the policy). For the purpose of RSI compliance, Kaskaskia College considers online and online proctored courses as distance learning offerings.
Resources and Training
Faculty new to teaching in a distance learning are required attend training provided by Learning Innovation and Design. Additionally, any new full-time instructors meet regularly with Learning and Innovation and Design as a component of their onboarding. This training details the expectations of regular and substantive interaction as well as other best practices for online learning.
Resources are made available to instructors regarding meeting RSI requirements, such as RSI resources developed by Learning Innovation and Design on the Technology Center Portal
New Distance Learning Courses
Instructors seeking to develop a distance learning course or offer an existing course in a distance learning format, must work with Learning Innovation and Design to ensure that the course is designed to meet standards for regular and substantive interaction. A course that is not fully online may inherently comply with these standards, however fully-online courses will need to be reviewed.
Courses may be identified as distance learning courses through the Curriculum Development Process. A Credit Hour Compliance worksheet is completed as a part of this process. All distance learning courses, as a component of the Curriculum Development Process, must gain the following approvals (and for which the appropriate Dean is notified of approval):
- Approval by curriculum council
- Approval by any applicable external bodies (i.e. ICCB, HLC, other accrediting organizations).
- Approval by Learning Innovation and Design
- Notification to Dean when approved by Learning Innovation and Design
Quality Review
Online courses will be reviewed on a regular five-year cycle that aligns with the ICCB Five Year Program Review Process. In advance of an area’s five-year program review, the Learning Technology Advisory Committee (LTAC) conducts a review of online courses using a rubric created in collaboration with Learning Innovation and Design. This ensures a regular evaluation of online courses. However, if an instructional dean, through the process of conducting other reviews, identifies a course that does not appear to meet RSI standards, they may ask the instructor to meet with Learning Innovation and Design to review the course and develop any necessary plans for meeting standards. The goal is to ensure that all online courses meet a high standard for the learners.
This process ensures that the course is in compliance with the Higher Education Act of 1965 102 (a) (3) (B).
Replaces Distance Learning Engagement Procedure 3.75P Approved December 17, 2018