So how can you ensure that online course requirements meet the same “time per credit hour” requirements as grounded courses?  Courses delivered online are still required to meet the same “time per credit hour” standards as in the classroom as per the MSCHE Credit Hour Policy and SUNY credit/contact policy and definitions.  In the following resource you will learn how “time” in online courses is calculated.  Since online courses don’t have “seat time” like grounded courses, it’s important that you and your students understand how much “time” it will take to complete the course.

Students at NCCC can estimate how much time a course should take them through the use of our eLearning Time Management Estimator. 

Faculty should review the following resources from R.I.T. to learn how “time” in online courses work. The resources will provide information on how you can ensure your online courses  require the same amount of  learning and should equal the same amount of time per week as grounded courses.

Time on Task  overview from the Learning Institute at R.I.T.

Time on Task expanded version PDF file from the Learning Institute at R.I.T.

Lisa Dubuc, Coordinator of Electronic Learning