Course Participation

 

This artifact is an example of the participation preparation and awareness I use in classes.  Participation in an online class is ambiguous at best for most students. It has to parallel with traditional classrooms according to state mandates but of course different strategies need to be applied.  Financial aid, apportionment and all the accreditation mandates apply and must be trackable and confirmable in any case. I help students by using this document to codify measurable activity that will satisfy the state accreditation mandates and especially help student’s awareness of what is required.  Some learners think that online courses are similar to correspondence courses where assignments and gradable material are done whenever is convenient.

 

Initial Course Participation

I make sure that  my students understand federal regulations require that student financial aid recipients commence attendance/participation in coursework to be eligible for financial aid.

Regulations define attendance/participation as follows:

 

(i)‘‘Academic attendance’’ and ‘‘attendance at an academically-related activity’’— Include, but are not limited to—

• Physically attending a class where there is an opportunity for direct interaction between the instructor and students;

• Submitting an academic assignment;

• Taking an exam, an interactive tutorial, or computer-assisted instruction; 

• Attending a study group that is assigned by the institution;

• Participating in an online discussion about academic matters; and

• Initiating contact with a faculty member to ask a question about the academic subject studied in the course; and

(ii) Do not include activities where a student may be present, but not academically engaged, such as—

• Participating in the institution’s meal plan;

• Logging into an online class without active participation; or

• Participating in academic counseling or advisement.