Section 876IAC7-6-4. Approval of distance learning continuing education

   In order for a distance learning continuing education course to meet the requirements of this rule, the provider shall submit the following information:

(1) Mission and objectives, as follows:

(A) A statement that clearly defines the mission of the provider's educational programs.

(B) The specific curricular objectives for the course.

(C) A plan for periodic review of the following:

(i) The mission statement.

(ii) Curricular objectives.

(2) Course design, as follows:

(A) A course outline that clearly states the following:

(i) The course objectives.

(ii) The desired student outcomes.

(B) A plan to ensure that the course content is:

(i) updated in a timely manner; and

(ii) distributed to:

(AA) students who are currently enrolled; and

(BB) future registrants.

(C) A plan for submitting substantial changes in the course to the commission. Substantial changes include, but are not limited to, the following:

(i) Expanded or reduced course content.

(ii) Changes in the time allotments for portions of the course.

(iii) Changes or redirected learning objectives.

(iv) A change of instructor.

(v) Changes in the course delivery method.

(D) The course disk or CD-ROM, if applicable.

(E) A list of reference materials provided to the students.

(F) A list of any prerequisites for the course and evidence that students are properly advised of the prerequisites before registration.

(G) Evidence that the course is structured in a mastery learning format that ensures mastery accomplishment.

(H) Evidence that the number of hours claimed is the number of hours it takes the average student to complete the course. This requirement can be met by submitting the results of the studies or field tests, or both, that will verify the claims.

(3) Interactivity, as follows:

(A) A description of how interaction is accomplished in the course.

(B) An explanation of how:

(i) interactivity is evaluated; and

(ii) feedback is gathered from students;

throughout the course.

(4) Course delivery, as follows:

(A) A plan that shows evidence that technical support will be available when needed.

(B) Evidence that instructor-student ratios are acceptable for the delivery method used.

(C) The name or names and qualifications of the instructor or instructors of the course, submitting their credentials, including any specific training for teaching, via the specified delivery method, and a plan for their continued professional development.

(D) A list of remote sites if applicable. For the purposes of this clause, "remote site" means one that receives a broadcast whether by:

(i) satellite; or

(ii) teleconferencing.

(E) A list of any site facilitators and the qualifications and credentials for each.

(5) Equipment and learning environment, as follows:

(A) A list of equipment that the student will need and evidence that this information is made available to the student before registration.

(B) An acceptable plan for dealing with equipment failures.

(6) Student support services, as follows:

(A) A copy of a student information package that contains all the necessary information about the course. This information includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(i) Information about broadcasts and distance site locations.

(ii) Faculty contact information.

(iii) The course outline and learning objectives.

(iv) Guidelines regarding what constitutes successful completion of the course.

(v) Deadlines.

(vi) Fees and refunds.

(vii) Prerequisites.

(viii) Illness policy.

(ix) A list of required student materials, including required software.

(B) An explanation of how student orientation sessions are accomplished. Each student is required to have an orientation before the student begins the course.

(C) An acceptable list of other support services made available to the students.

(7) Evaluation and assessment, as follows:

(A) An evaluation form that solicits student feedback on the following:

(i) The delivery approach.

(ii) The equipment.

(iii) Suggestions for class improvement.

(iv) The student's overall satisfaction with the course.

An evaluation form is required to be given to every student in a distance learning continuing education course at the conclusion of the course.

(B) A plan for verifying student identity. The provider of any distance learning continuing education course must have an acceptable plan in place that verifies that the student enrolled in the course is the one that completes the following:

(i) The course.

(ii) Any required tests.

(8) Commitment to support, as follows:

(A) A copy of the provider's business plan that shows ongoing commitment to provide adequate financial and technical resources to support the distance learning continuing education course.

(B) A statement of how long the provider has been offering distance learning continuing education courses.

(Indiana Real Estate Commission; 876 IAC 7-6-4; filed May 22, 2014, 11:50 a.m.: 20140618-IR-876140061FRA, eff Jul 1, 2014)