21 NCAC 58E .0310. DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSES

(a)  As used in this Chapter, the term "distance education" means educational programs in which instruction is accomplished through the use of media whereby teacher and student are separated by distance and sometimes by time.  An entity requesting approval of a distance education course must, in addition to satisfying all other requirements for elective course approval specified in this Section, demonstrate that the proposed distance education course satisfies the following criteria:

(1)           The course shall be designed to assure that students actively participate in the instructional process while completing the course by utilizing techniques that require student interaction with the instructor, other students or a computer program at frequent intervals throughout each class period.  The course design must not permit students to merely sit passively and observe instruction or read instructional materials.  If the nature of the subject matter is such that the learning objectives for the course cannot be reasonably accomplished without some direct interaction between the instructor and students, then the course design must provide for such interaction.

(2)           A course that does not provide the opportunity for continuous audio and visual communication between the instructor and all students during the course presentation shall utilize testing and remedial processes appropriate to assure student mastery of the subject material.

(3)           A course that involves students completing the course on a self-paced study basis shall be designed so that the time required for a student of average ability to complete the course will be at least four hours, and the sponsor shall utilize a system that assures that students have actually performed all tasks designed to assure student participation and mastery of the subject material.  The number of equivalent classroom hours assigned by the course sponsor or developer to the course must be supported by studies or field tests, and the applicant must submit a description of such studies or field tests with the course application.

(4)           The proposed instructional delivery methods shall be appropriate to enable effective accomplishment of the proposed learning objectives and the scope and depth of the instructional materials must also be consistent with the proposed learning objectives.

(5)           The sponsor shall provide appropriate technical support to enable students to satisfactorily complete the course.

(6)           An instructor shall be available to respond to student questions about the subject matter of the course and to direct students to additional sources of information.  Instructors shall have training in the proper use of the instructional delivery method utilized in the course, including the use of computer hardware and software or other equipment and systems.

(7)           The sponsor shall provide students an orientation or information package which contains all information required by the Commission to be provided to students and all necessary information about the course, including information about course fees and refund policies, course subject matter and learning objectives, procedures and requirements for satisfactory course completion, any requirements with regard to computer hardware and software or other equipment, and instructor and technical support.

(b)  An entity seeking approval of a computer-based distance education course must submit a complete copy of the course on the medium that is to be utilized and, if requested, must make available, at a date and time satisfactory to the Commission and at the sponsor's expense, all hardware and software necessary for the Commission to review the submitted course.  In the case of an internet-based course, the Commission must be provided access to the course via the internet at a date and time satisfactory to the Commission and shall not be charged any fee for such access.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 93A-3(c); 93A-4.1;

Eff. July 1, 1996;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2009; July 1, 2005; July 1, 2000.