Policy

Policy on Regular and Substantive Interaction

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Policy # [####]

Policy on Regular and Substantive Interaction

 

Original Issuance Date: February 7, 2023
Last Revision Date: February 7, 2023
Next Review Date: February, 2028

1. PURPOSE

This policy defines and requires “Regular and Substantive Interaction” for all courses at The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, consistent with Higher Learning Commission and US Department of Education requirements.

2. RESPONSIBLE OFFICER

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

3. SCOPE

This policy applies to face-to-face, hybrid, online synchronous, and online asynchronous courses.

4. BACKGROUND

The faculty and instructional academic staff at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh are committed to providing rich opportunities for students to learn regardless of the course modality. This requires all courses in all modalities to provide regular opportunities for students to interact with their instructors regarding course content and competencies.

For hybrid and online courses, the US Department of Education requires that opportunities for regular and substantive interaction be planned and initiated by the course instructor “on a predictable and sched1.1led basis.” This interaction must require both the time and level of rigor to make it equivalent to in-class activities in a face-to-face course.

5. DEFINITIONS

Regular and Substantive Interaction means that the course instructor engages students to achieve course learning objectives in at least two of the following ways:

  • Delivering real-time instruction with opportunities for student questions and contributions at regularly scheduled times;
  • Providing interactive and timely feedback to students on their coursework (e.g., face-to­ face or synchronous paper-editing sessions, video feedback with opportunities for questions, back-and-forth email or texts on drafts or projects);
  • Providing information and responding to student questions about content or competencies in an interactive (e.g., face-to-face or synchronous office hours, live-chat, back-and-forth emails, discussion boards) and timely manner;
  • Facilitating real-time laboratory activity, small-group work or discussions, or whole-class discussions of course content or competencies;
  • Engaging in other instructional activities approved by the Provost’s Office.

Grading papers, exams, and the like does not count as substantive interaction.

6. POLICY STATEMENT

For each credit-hour, instructors will provide regular and substantive interaction for the equivalent of a minimum of 1 hour per week for 14 weeks. Course syllabi will describe explicitly the opportunities each course provides to satisfy this regular and substantive interaction requirement.

7. REFERENCES

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/09/02/2020-18636/distance-education-and-innovation

8. PROCEDURES

The Improvement of Instruction Committee, in consultation with the Provost’s office, will review this policy every five (5) years. It will report to the Faculty Senate whether it recommends changes to the policy or whether the policy requires no revisions.

Changes will take effect upon approval by the Faculty Senate and the Chancellor and the review clock will reset. If no changes are recommended, the review clock will reset upon approval of the recommendation for no changes by the Faculty Senate and The Chancellor.

9. REVISION HISTORY

  Faculty Senate Approval Chancellor Approval
Initial Adoption February 7, 2023 3/17/2023
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