Eastman School of Music
Requirements for teaching online, asynchronous courses
Instructors may, for pedagogical and/or logistical reasons, desire to offer a course in an online, asynchronous format. Any requests of this nature must first be approved by the relevant department chair/program director and then by the Senior Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs. If the request is approved, instructors must then ensure that the structure of their course meets the below requirements for online, asynchronous courses as required US Department of Education.
As of October 2022, US Department of Education rules say that students can only use Title IV Federal Financial Aid (student loans) for online courses that include “regular and substantive interaction.” To meet this requirement, instructors of online, asynchronous courses must ensure regular interaction between a student and an instructor(s) by providing the opportunity for substantive interactions with the student on a predictable and scheduled basis commensurate with the length of time and the amount of content in the course. Additionally, this instructor is responsible for monitoring the student’s academic engagement and success, and then promptly and proactively engage in substantive interaction with the student when needed, on the basis of such monitoring, or upon request by the student.
Instructors who offer an online, asynchronous course must ensure that their course meets the following standards:
Regular interaction between a student and instructor(s) prior to the student’s completion of a course by:
- Providing the opportunity for substantive interactions with the student on a predictable and scheduled basis commensurate with the length of time and the amount of content in the course or competency; and
- Monitoring the student’s academic engagement and success and promptly and proactively engaging in substantive interaction with the student when needed, on the basis of such monitoring, or upon request by the student.
Substantive interaction by engaging students in teaching, learning, and assessment, consistent with the content under discussion, PLUS TWO of the following:
- Providing direct instruction;
- Assessing or providing feedback on a student’s coursework;
- Providing information or responding to questions about the content of a course or competency;
- Facilitating a group discussion regarding the content of a course or competency; or,
- Other instructional activities approved by the institution’s or program’s accrediting agency.
To then demonstrate compliance with the above US Department of Education policy, we expect all instructors of online, asynchronous courses to put the following statement in their syllabus:
In (course code / course name), regular and substantive interaction is achieved through regular online discussion that facilitates a meaningful exchange about key concepts and topics in the course. In addition, the instructor will respond to student questions and provide information about course content in a timely manner. Students can also expect timely feedback and assessment of their coursework.