Journal of Online Learning Research and Practice
August 2020 on the “ re-definitions ” of distance and correspondence education ( Downs , 2020 ). On September 2 , 2020 , the U . S . Department of Education published the Federal Register with the Distance Education and Innovations final regulations , which included revisions and provisions related to distance and correspondence education ( Council for Higher Education Accreditation , 2020 ). The Federal Register defined distance education as :
( 1 ) Education that uses one or more of the technologies listed in paragraphs ( 2 )( i ) through ( iv ) of this definition to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor or instructors and to support regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor or instructors , either synchronously or asynchronously .
( 2 ) The technologies that may be used to offer distance education include —
( i ) The Internet ;
( ii ) One-way and two-way transmissions through open broadcast , closed circuit , cable , microwave , broadband lines , fiber optics , satellite , or wireless communications devices ;
( iii ) Audio conference ; or
( iv ) Other media used in a course in conjunction with any of the technologies listed in paragraphs ( 2 )( i ) through ( iii ) of this definition .
( v ) For purposes of this definition , an instructor is an individual responsible for delivering course content and who meets the qualifications for instruction established by an institution ’ s accrediting agency .
( 3 ) For purposes of this definition , substantive interaction is engaging students in teaching , learning , and assessment , consistent with the content under discussion , and also includes at least two of the following —
( i ) Providing direct instruction ;
( ii ) Assessing or providing feedback on a student ’ s coursework ;
( iii ) Providing information or responding to questions about the content of a course or competency ;
( iv ) Facilitating a group discussion regarding the content of a course or competency ; or
( v ) Other instructional activities approved by the institution ’ s or program ’ s accrediting agency .
( 4 ) An institution ensures regular interaction between a student and an instructor or instructors by , prior to the student ’ s completion of a course or competency —
( i ) Providing the opportunity for substantive interactions with the student on a predictable and scheduled
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