Faculty Resources for Distance Learning
Distance Learning (DL) is the official designation for online and hybrid classes. AP 4105-Distance Learning defines courses as "distance learning" when "seat time" (time spent in the classroom) is replaced with online activities. Online courses take place 100% online with no in-person time. Hybrid courses combine online activities and on-campus "seat time" (time spent in the classroom). There are no set proportions for hybrid courses: they vary in how much or how little time is spent online or in the classroom, allowing professors to design courses that meet the needs of the subject matter.
About Distance Learning at Mt. SAC
Faculty distance learning certification. To teach any type of distance learning classes at Mt. SAC, professors must be certified
to teach online. One path to certification is to complete our local certification
program - SPOT - which is a self-paced course that is facilitated by the current Assistant
Distance Learning Coordinator. The SPOT - Distance Learning certification page also
describes alternative routes to becoming distance learning certified at Mt. SAC.
Professors recertify every 4 years with professional development. Dl certified professors must renew their certification every four years by completing
four hours of professional development. This includes a mandatory Regulations Update
workshop, which reviews AP 4105 and any changes to regulations that affect distance
learning professors. The additional 3 hours of recertification can be met in many
ways. Review the SPOT recertification page to learn how to recertify.
Regular and Substantive Interaction. Courses taught in an online format must meet Regular and Substantive interaction (RSI),
a federal and state education code requirement that is also included in AP 4105. Visit
the Regular, Substantive Interaction link above to learn how to meet this DL requirement.
Distance Learning Courses & Faculty
Looking for information on courses that are already approved to be taught in a distance learning format? Need to get a course approved in a distance learning modality? Want to see your SPOT recertification date or find which professors are distance learning certified? Here are the resources you need!
Evaluating Distance Learning Classes
Distance Learning faculty need to know how to facilitate the evaluation process for distance learning courses.
- Classroom Visitation Evaluations Online courses are evaluated by a faculty peer. Find the guidelines here.
- Faculty Contract Forms Online courses require a different student evaluation form, which can be found here.
For more information on any of these processes please contact distancelearning@mtsac.edu.
Related Resources
- Distance Learning Committee (DLC) works on evaluation and development for all things related to DL at Mt. SAC
- Faculty Center for Learning Technology (FCLT) supports teaching and learning with Canvas and online tools by hosting live and self-paced workshops and offering office hours to faculty in person (Building 6 Room 262) or online in Zoom. Visit our page to book an appointment and learn about our other services.
- Library, Learning Resources, and Distance Learning Division is the home of distance learning and the Faculty Center for Learning Technology
- Canvas Faculty Center maintained by the FCLT, the Canvas Faculty Center is an online open course for professors. It contains tons of useful information on our local instance of Canvas, its roles and settings, education technology that is available at Mt. SAC and how to start using these tools. You will also find many timely teaching topics (RSI, FERPA, design advice) and self-paced workshops and recommended resources here.
- POD (Professional and Organizational Development) Sign up for live workshops on the POD Connect calendar. Find your transcript of professional development activities here, too.
