IV. Distance Education
A. Definition: Distance Education
Distance education is formal learning activity where students and instructors are separated by geography, time or both for the majority of the instructional period. Distance learning materials are delivered through a variety of media including, but not limited to, print, audio recording, videotape, broadcasts, computer software, web-based programs, and other online technology. Teachers support distance learners through communication via mail, telephone, email or online technologies and software.
B. Definition: Distance Learners
Distance learners are students who receive distance education services. For learners who receive both distance education and traditional classroom instruction during a program year (such as through a blended distance-classroom approach or concurrent enrollment in both types of instruction), classification as a distance learner will occur if the majority of contact hours earned in a program year are derived from time spent on distance education activities. Time spent on distance education activities are proxy contact hours. Contact hours and proxy contact hours are recorded inGALIS. The student's status as a classroom or distance learner is made at the end of the year based on where 51% or more of the student’s hours were earned.
C. Measuring and Reporting Contact Hours for Learners in Distance Education
Distance learners must have at least twelve hours of contact with the program before they can be counted for federal reporting purposes. Contact hours for distance learners can be a combination of actual contact and contact through telephone, video, teleconference, or online communication, where student and program staff can interact and through which learner identity is verifiable.
The following activities are considered appropriate for distance education programs: all face-to-face sessions for intake, assessment and orientation; telephone calls designated to counsel students into the appropriate programs; completion of local program online registration, registration and intake forms; completion of self-assessment on distance education readiness; technology training on content and use of distance education curriculum; training on study and time management skills (whether delivered in person or at a distance).
The Clock Time Model, Learner Mastery Model,and the Teacher Verification Model areused to determine proxy contact hours.
The Clock Time Model assigns contact hours based on the elapse time that a learner is connected to, or engaged in an online or stand-alone software program that tracks time.
The Learner Mastery Modelassigns a fixed number of hours of credit based on the learner passing a test on the content of each lesson. Learners work with the curriculum and materials and when they feel they have mastered the material, take a test. A high percentage of correct answers (typically 70%-80%) earn the credit hours attached to the material.
The Teacher Verification Modelassigns a fixed number of hoursof credit for each assignment based on teacher determination of theextent to which a learner engaged in, or completed, the assignment.
Teachers will maintain records of proxy contact hours for both state and NRS reporting requirements. Training will be provided on how to record contact hours from classroom instruction and proxy contact hours for distance learning during the annual GALIS training update and through ongoing technical assistance from the Grant Program Support Coordinators.
D. Assessment of Learners in Distance Education
Distance learners must be assessed under the same guidelines as all adult learners in the state. All formal assessments must occur in secure, proctored settings, but it is permissible to arrange for remote testing locations that are more convenient for distance learners as long as all state requirements concerning assessment are met.
E. Curriculum
Georgia’s distance education program is designed to reach and better serve learners who have limited accessibility to traditional adult education classes. Learners are supported by teachers who facilitate instruction through a variety of delivery media to include: online programs, videotape; software, print-based materials, telephones, postal services, and email.
Programs that offer distance learning as an instructional option must use one of the approved curricula which are listed in the chart on the next page.
Curriculum Choices / Model / Criteria For Proxy Contact Hours / Proxy Contact Hours / Validation Source
ABE and ASE
AZTEC, ITTS, KeyTrain, MGH Contemporary (Pre-GED/GED Online), PLATO, SkillsTutor, WIN, Workforce Connects / Clock / System must track time and log out students after preset period of inactivity / Time recorded by system / Software developer
Kentucky Education Television (KET):
GED Connection
Pre-GED Connection / Teacher Ver. / Video: student self-report / Video: .5 hrs (Total 19.5) / Project IDEAL
Workbook: teacher determines % of work completed / Workbook: > 75% of activities completed = 4 hrs
50 – 74% =2 hrs (Total 156)
Internet Activities: teacher determines work completed / Internet Activities: 1 hr. per (Total 43)
Internet Module: teacher verifies whether student has engaged / Modules: 3 hrs per module (Total 15)
Completed practice tests: online and print based / Tests: 1 hr per (Total 22)
Kentucky Education Television (KET):
Workplace Essential Skills / Teacher Ver. / Video: student self-report / Video: .5 hrs per
(Total 12) / Project IDEAL
Workbook: teacher determines % of work completed / >75% of activities complete = 2 hrs; 50 – 74% = 1 hr
(Total 48)
Internet Activities: teacher determines % of work completed / >75% of activities completed =2.5 hrs; 50 – 74% = 1.5 hrs (Total 60)
Preview and Review Tests / 1 hr per (Total 8)
Khan Academy / Clock / Classes must be set up to indicate time spent outside of normal class hours / Time recorded by system; data must be pulled every 30 days at a minimum / Khan Academy
ESL and EL/Civics
Crossroads Café / Mastery / Passed unit test @ 70% / 10 hours per unit;
(Total 260) / North Carolina
English for All / Mastery / Passed unit test @ 70% / 6 hours per unit;
(Total 120) / NC,
research done in CA
Rosetta Stone Online / Clock
Time / System must track time and log out students after preset period of inactivity / Time recorded by system / Software developer
U.S.A. Learns
(Class-based) / Teacher
Ver. / Passed all unit activities @70% on the class-based website: / First English Course:20 units; 3 hrs per unit; (Total 60)
Second English Course:20 units; 3 hrs per unit (Total 60)
Practice English & Reading:42 stories; 1 hr/story(Total 42) / Sacramento County Office of Education