The Importance of Interaction


The Importance of Interaction

Student working at computer
Interaction is key to any online course

As has already been mentioned, student interaction is one of the most important features of an online course. Opportunities for Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) must be included throughout a course. 


Online -Not- Correspondence Course

In applying this principle, it is helpful to remember that you are creating an online (distance) course and not a correspondence course.

According to federal regulation (34 C.F.R. § 600.2 Links to an external site.), the main factor that distinguishes an online course from a correspondence course is student interaction. Review the chart below:

 

CORRESPONDENCE COURSE


small teacher with three students and only one arrow going from students to teacher

Interaction in a correspondence course is limited, is not regular and substantive, and primarily initiated by the student.

Correspondence courses are typically self-paced. 

 

vs

ONLINE (DISTANCE) EDUCATION


teacher with threes students and arrows of communication going back and forth to all

Technologies in online (distance) education are used to to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor and to support regular and substantive interaction among the students and the instructor, either synchronously or asynchronously. 

Information in image derived from 34 C.F.R. § 600.2, emphasis added.

 

An online (distance) course must include RSI or it runs the risk of becoming a correspondence course. This type of interaction can can come in many forms and in the second module of this orientation (Part 2) we will address different ways to include interaction in an online environment.