Standard 5

Purpose

Purpose

Establishes meaningful instructor presence and purposeful learner interaction to foster communication, collaboration, and a connected learning community.

Standard 5 Overview Video

Interaction Overview Video (2:22)

Criteria

Criteria 

Standard 5 includes five criteria, with Criterion 5.1 designated as Essential. All criteria (5.1 through 5.5) support Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI).

Criteria

5.1: Regular & Substantive Interaction

The course includes predictable opportunities for Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI), where the instructor proactively engages students through instructor-led discussions, direct instruction, or individualized feedback.

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5.2: Learning Community

Learning activities provide intentional opportunities for student-to-student interaction, constructive collaboration, and community-building that foster belonging, trust, respectful dialogue, and learning from diverse perspectives.

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5.3: Interaction Expectations

Expectations for all course interactions (instructor to student, student to content, and student to student) are clearly stated and modeled throughout the course.

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5.4: Instructor Communication

The instructor outlines an easy-to-find and predictable schedule for when they will post announcements, participate in discussions, and return graded feedback.

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5.5 Instructor Presence

Learners have an opportunity to get to know the instructor through an introduction or other instructor-presence activities.

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