7 Regular and Substantive Interaction

Why is Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) important for online learning success?

Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) is a critical component of online education, ensuring that students engage meaningfully with their instructors and course content.

Here’s why RSI matters for student success:

• Frequent Engagement: Regular interactions help keep students connected and engaged with their courses, reducing feelings of isolation and increasing motivation.
• Meaningful Content Interaction: Substantive discussions and activities that directly involve teaching, learning, and assessment ensure that students are not just passive recipients of information but active participants in their learning process.
• Personalized Support: Through RSI, instructors can provide timely feedback and personalized support, addressing students’ specific needs and helping them overcome academic challenges.
• Enhanced Learning Experience: Regular and meaningful interactions contribute to a deeper understanding of course material, promote critical thinking, and improve overall academic performance.

RSI enriches the online learning experience and fosters an environment where students can thrive and succeed.

What should professors know about RSI?

Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) is mandated by the Federal US Department of Education for distance education. This regulation ensures that students have frequent, meaningful interactions with their instructors, which are crucial for student success in online environments.

FSW’s expectation for RSI:

• Predictable and Scheduled: Interaction with students should be consistent and scheduled, aligned with the course’s duration and content.
  • One weekly video announcement
  • Instructor created course content in each module
  • Collaborative activities throughout the semester (discussion boards, group projects, peer review assignments, etc.)
• Monitored Engagement: Instructors should actively monitor student engagement and success, providing proactive interaction as needed or upon student request.
  • Grading
    • Assignments and assessments graded within one week of  submission
    • Writing intensive assignments, assessments, and Procotorio assessments within two weeks of submission
  • Communication
    • Respond to e-mail questions within 48 business hours
    • Office hours available by weekly schedule or individual appointment
    • Student feedback (exit tickets, polls, opinion surveys, etc.)

RSI Resources

How Can SpeedGrader Facilitate Regular and Substantive Interaction?

Consistent and Timely Feedback Regular feedback is a key component of substantive interaction in online courses. SpeedGrader facilitates timely feedback, allowing instructors to respond to student submissions promptly, which is essential for keeping students engaged and informed.

• Routine Feedback: Set a regular schedule to check and grade assignments using SpeedGrader. This regularity ensures that students receive consistent feedback, contributing to a structured learning environment.

Integrating Feedback into Learning Feedback should be more than just evaluative; it should be instructional and supportive. SpeedGrader allows instructors to integrate feedback directly into the learning process.

• Instructional Feedback: Use detailed comments and annotations to not only grade but also teach. This approach helps students understand mistakes and learn from them, reinforcing key concepts and skills.