NOVA Online Up Close: Understanding Distance Learning Regs

October 28, 2024 / General NOVA News

Welcome to the first installment of our series, “NOVA Online Up Close.” Here, we share with you our practices and commitment to excellence in distance learning. While Federal and State regulations may not be the most exciting topic, they are vital to securing financial support (and avoiding penalties), which helps NOVA to meet its mission of providing “equitable access to affordable and exceptional higher education and workforce programs.”

At NOVA, offering a variety of course modalities is crucial for meeting the diverse needs of our students. However, did you know that each course modality has a different set of federal and state requirements? To maintain Title IV funding, which supports our NOVA Nighthawk’s access to student financial aid, all distance learning courses including fully online asynchronous, online synchronous and hybrid, must comply with Department of Education (federal) and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) regulations.

NOL’s quality assurance guidelines and practices are designed to keep us in compliance with these key federal and Virginia standards:

Key Components of Federal and Virginia Guidelines:

Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI): Federal regulations mandate that instructors engage with students meaningfully, ensuring ongoing communication through direct instruction and feedback. Examples include regular announcements, personalized and specific feedback, participation in discussion boards, faculty initiated one-on-one emails and tutoring sessions for additional support. This interaction is critical to fostering a supportive learning environment.

Attendance and Participation: Federal guidelines require tracking student engagement beyond simply taking attendance. Instructors must document active participation in discussions and assignments, as consistent involvement is essential for student success and compliance. This is why it is so important to pace assignments to be completed before the last refund-eligibility date, and for faculty to note students who have never attended the class (i.e., completing NVRK’s) on time.

Student Identity Verification: The United States Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Public Law 110-315, requires the verification of student identity in online learning. To protect the integrity of our programs, NOVA leverages advanced technologies to verify that the enrolled student is the one completing the course. This includes implementing Multi-Factor Authentication, conducting proctored activities and utilizing authentic assessments. These measures help uphold the academic standards expected in higher education and ensure that students are accurately demonstrating their knowledge and skills.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL): UDL is not just the right thing to do, it is a requirement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and essential for ensuring accessible and inclusive educational experiences. By providing multiple means of engagement, representation and expression, faculty can meet their legal obligations while enhancing student participation and fostering a sense of belonging.

If you would like to learn more about federal and state guidelines for online asynchronous, online synchronous or hybrid courses, please reach out to Dr. Cynthia Pascal at cpascal@nvcc.edu. Understanding these regulations is essential for creating an accessible and effective learning environment for all students. See you next week when NOVA Online Up Close will be discussing SACSCOC Standards for Distance Education.

Submitted by:
Dr. Cynthia Pascal, AVP of NOVAOnline, CPascal@nvcc.edu