Definition of Distance Education (34 C.F.R. § 600.2.)

Distance Education means:

(1) Education that uses one or more of the technologies listed in paragraphs 2(a) through (d)
to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor(s) and to support
regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor(s), either
synchronously or asynchronously.

(2) The technologies may include:

a) the internet;

b) one-way and two-way transmissions through open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, broadband lines, fiber optics, satellite, or wireless communications devices;

c) audioconferencing; or

d) other media used in a course in conjunction with any of the technologies listed in paragraphs (a) through (c).

(3) For purposes of this definition, an instructor is an individual responsible for delivering course content and who meets the qualifications for instruction established by an institution’s accrediting agency.

(4) For purposes of this definition, substantive interaction is engaging students in teaching, learning, and assessment, consistent with the content under discussion, and also includes at least two of the following—

a) Providing direct instruction;

b) Assessing or providing feedback on a student’s coursework;

c) Providing information or responding to questions about the content of a course or competency;

d) Facilitating a group discussion regarding the content of a course or competency; or

e) Other instructional activities approved by the institution’s or program’s accrediting
agency.

(5) An institution ensures regular interaction between a student and an instructor or instructors by, prior to the student’s completion of a course or competency—

a) Providing the opportunity for substantive interactions with the student on a predictable and regular basis commensurate with the length of time and the amount of content in the course or competency; and

b) Monitoring the student’s academic engagement and success and ensuring that an instructor is responsible for promptly and proactively engaging in substantive interaction with the student when needed on the basis of such monitoring, or upon request by the student.