Terms

Distance Education - Courses

CDS Definition:

An option for earning course credit at off-campus locations via cable television, internet, satellite classes, videotapes, correspondence courses, or other means.

IPEDS Definition:

A course in which the instructional content is delivered exclusively via distance education. Requirements for coming to campus for orientation, testing, or academic support services do not exclude a course from being classified as distance education.

THECB Definition:

Coordinating Board rules recognize two categories of distance education courses: fully distance education courses and hybrid/blended courses.

A fully distance education course is defined as "a course which may have mandatory face-to-face sessions totaling no more than 15 percent of the instructional time. Examples of face-to-face sessions include orientation, laboratory, exam review, or an in-person test."

A hybrid/blended course is defined as "a course in which a majority (more than 50 percent but less than 85 percent), of the planned instruction occurs when the students and instructor(s) are not in the same place."