What is RSI?

The U.S. Department of Education now requires Links to an external site. that all online courses for which students may use Title IV funds (federal financial aid) "ensure that there is regular and substantive interaction between students and faculty."  In online teaching and learning environments of any kind, (asynchronous, synchronous, blended/hybrid), regular and substantive interactions should: 

• Be with an instructor  
• Be initiated by the instructor. 
• Be scheduled and predictable. 
• Be academic in nature and relevant to the course. 
• Substantive interaction assumes direct interaction between the learner and the instructor including:
  • Providing pre-recorded lectures and videos contextualizing course content
  • Facilitating a group discussion regarding the content of a course or competency
  • Hosting live class sessions
  • Engaging students with interactive activities curated by the instructor
  • Facilitating collaborative group projects with instructor guidance
  • Scheduling one-on-one virtual meetings between students and instructor
  • Assessing or providing feedback on a student’s coursework
  • Providing information or responding to questions about the content of a course 

RSI is essential because it keeps students engaged, helps clarify uncertainties, promotes deeper understanding of the material, and allows instructors to gauge student progress and provide necessary support. RSI encompasses a wide range of evolving practices for creating active learning communities in a digital space.