Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) in a 7-Week Online Course
✅ Purpose:
To ensure that online courses meet federal guidelines for distance education by providing frequent, meaningful, and faculty-initiated interaction with students throughout the course.
What is RSI?
Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) is defined by the U.S. Department of Education as:
Regular: Predictable and scheduled interactions
Substantive: Focused on course content, academic progress, and learning outcomes
Faculty-initiated: Instructor starts the interaction (not just student questions)
Academic in nature: Pertains to course concepts, assessments, or student performance
Failing to meet RSI requirements can reclassify your course as a correspondence course, which impacts financial aid eligibility and accreditation.
Weekly RSI Examples (7-Week Model)
| Week | Type of RSI | Example Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Instructor-initiated welcome & content intro | Instructor video welcome + posted message outlining goals and expectations for Week 1. Live orientation session (recorded for later). |
| 2 | Content clarification | Instructor posts a mid-week video or voice memo breaking down a tricky reading or concept. |
| 3 | Feedback on major assignment | Personalized feedback (written, audio, or video) on first project with suggestions for improvement. Feedback is timely (within 3–5 days). |
| 4 | Content engagement | Instructor starts a discussion thread: “Real-world applications of this week’s theory—what do you think?” + replies to at least 50% of students. |
| 5 | Live session or Q&A | Optional synchronous Zoom session to discuss midterm material. Office hours offered. Instructor follows up with summary post for all. |
| 6 | Academic support | Instructor reaches out to students who missed assignments or are struggling. Uses LMS messaging or email. Offers help or resources. |
| 7 | Course wrap-up & reflection | Final video or discussion board prompt: “What did you learn? How will you use this in the future?” Instructor replies to final posts. |
Substantive Interaction Examples
These must involve the instructor and be tied to course content or academic progress.
✔️ Acceptable RSI Examples
Posting mini-lecture videos explaining concepts
Leading and responding in discussion boards meaningfully
Giving individualized feedback on assignments
Hosting synchronous sessions (Zoom, Teams, etc.)
Posting clarification announcements about misconceptions or common errors
Sending course-specific messages encouraging academic progress
? Tip: Be proactive, not just reactive.
❌ What Does NOT Count as RSI?
These may still be useful for engagement but do not satisfy RSI on their own:
| Activity | Why It Doesn’t Count |
|---|---|
| Automated feedback | Not initiated by the instructor, not individualized |
| Peer-to-peer discussion | No faculty involvement |
| Generic reminders (e.g., "Don't forget assignment is due") | Not content-focused or substantive |
| Instructor lurking in discussions but not posting | No active engagement |
| Office hours offered but no attendance or follow-up | Passive, not proactive |
RSI Best Practices by Type
Announcements (Weekly or More Often)
Provide summaries, key takeaways, or clarification.
Example: “This week’s top themes in the discussion board were…”
Video Lectures or Screencasts
Short (5–10 minutes) videos breaking down complex topics.
Include personal insights or real-world connections.
Discussion Boards
Instructor should seed the discussion and respond to a significant portion of student posts (not just 1–2).
Use open-ended, content-focused questions.
✍️ Feedback
Should be individualized and connected to rubric criteria.
Add suggestions for improvement and encouragement.
Synchronous Sessions
Record for those who cannot attend.
Follow up with a summary or reflection question.
⚠️ RSI Red Flags to Avoid
All content is self-paced with no interaction
Instructor only grades with minimal/no feedback
Instructor not visible or active in the course
Feedback is delayed past a week
Only passive announcements or generic reminders
RSI Planning Template (For Instructors)
Use this to map your RSI each week.
| Week | Instructor-Initiated RSI Activities | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Welcome video + live session | Recorded for those who miss it |
| 2 | Clarification post + discussion replies | Focus on most missed concepts |
| 3 | Feedback on Project 1 | Sent individually within 3 days |
| ... | ... | ... |
✅ Final Reminders
RSI is about quality, not just quantity
Students should see and hear the instructor regularly
Interactions should help students learn, reflect, and improve