Wiki Page, WCC DE Faculty Handbook: Regular Effective Contact, continued

Wiki Page
2016-07-27T13:04:43-06:00

As with many elements of education policy, there is not a specific number of hours that are stated as to be considered "effective," but the phrase that is key is that regular effective contact shall be "Robust and instructor initiated." If an instructor never posts announcements or sends online students emails, the course would not be utilizing regular and effective contact and could be deemed to not be meeting the definition of a distance ed course.

While instructor teaching style and student need will vary with each course, best practices for maintaining regular effective contact hours are:

Weekly announcements posted for students highlighting the week's work, assignments due, lectures posted, or relevant readings students might review in addition to any required readings assigned.

Individual emails to students

Emails to students who are struggling with resources or tips to help engage them

Emails to students who are successful, praising them and acknowledging their hard work and dedication

Emails to groups or students who are working on projects or other assignments together with more guidance or resources that will support their efforts

Virtual office hours

CCCConfer is free to community college instructors and includes resources to have conference captioned for participants. Details and access can be found at http://www.cccconfer.org/.

Skype is a free resources anyone can use on a PC, MAC or mobile device.

Other appropriate virtual chat or video service that students can access for free.