The Power of Regular and Substantive Interactions (RSI)
What makes online learning truly effective? It's not just about providing content; it's about meaningful interactions in the online classroom, including those that occur between students and faculty. We will focus on definitions of robust faculty-to-student interactions, also referred to as Regular and Substantive Interactions (RSI). This article explores proven strategies to enhance RSI across online programs and common challenges to implementation. It also reveals how Ellucian can help your institution integrate RSI seamlessly.
RSI At-A-Glance
Initially implemented by the U.S. Department of Education in 2005 to prevent financial aid fraud, RSI has been revised substantially, transforming it into a linchpin for distinguishing distance education from correspondence courses. Breaking RSI down into its separate components illustrates how it may, when applied, meet or exceed its objective to ensure online learning remains interactive and rigorous.
- Regular refers to predictability. Faculty interactions with students should be frequent and consistent throughout the course.
- Substantive refers to being academic in nature. Interactions should focus on course content and the promotion of active learning, rather than course administration.
- Interactions should be faculty-initiated, not merely faculty-responsive to occasional student queries.
RSI fosters a level of connection online that can boost course retention, improve learning outcomes, and meets accreditation requirements for online programs. Accreditation bodies, including the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), and Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), will continue to recognize RSI as a key element in quality instruction, whether the Department of Education exists to regulate it or not.
Applying RSI Effectively
Understanding RSI is one thing, but applying it effectively is another. Many faculty assume that basic online interactions—like posting announcements or offering office hours—meet RSI standards. However, true RSI requires a shift from passive to active engagement. What does that really mean?
RSI = Faculty-Led or Faculty-Initiated Interactions
The fuel gauge graphic below illustrates the shift from ineffective RSI practices (red) to successful strategies (green).
Challenges and Pitfalls
The main challenge for institutions is that faculty often do not fully understand what RSI activities truly entail, which can lead to ineffective implementation. Common pitfalls persist and include the following.
- Posting static announcements that simply communicate due dates or reminders (interactions depicted in the orange section of the above graphic) instead of initiating discussions that require student participation. Looking at the graphic, you can see that these are firmly in the green section.
- Relying on auto-graded quizzes (also in the orange section) as the sole form of assessment instead of offering assignments and assessments that encourage faculty to foster learning through providing personalized feedback.
- Providing responses only to student inquiries instead of proactively initiating frequent faculty-led check-ins and discussions.
Proven Strategies for RSI Success
To meet RSI standards and create engaging online courses, institutions should consider the following four strategies:
Define & Demonstrate RSI – Faculty need clear, practical examples of successful engagement strategies. Providing explicit guidance helps remove uncertainty and fosters more engagement. Some of these strategies include:
- Direct, instructor-led discussions
- Personalized feedback on assignments
- Regular, proactive communication such as announcements
- Interactive check-ins such as office hours or coffee chats
Leverage Technology – Faculty can use Learning Management System (LMS) integrated tools to ensure RSI happens seamlessly. By embedding LMS tools into course design, institutions foster a more connected and engaging online learning environment.
- Discussion boards become dynamic learning spaces when instructors actively moderate and pose follow-up questions.
- Grading comments transform assessments into learning experiences when instructors provide constructive feedback beyond just a grade.
- LMS-integrated video conferencing enables real-time engagement through virtual office hours or interactive class sessions.
Support & Recognize Faculty – Effective RSI implementation requires institutional backing. Institutions should provide training, resources, and incentives to encourage faculty to embrace engagement strategies and refine their online teaching approach.
Integrate RSI from Day One – Faculty collaboration with instructional designers ensures RSI is seamlessly woven into the course structure. Compliance becomes effortless when faculty build planned interactions into courses from the start, and student engagement flourishes. An easy and supportive way to achieve all of the above is by building RSI into online course templates.
The Bigger Picture: Transforming Online Learning
RSI is more than compliance—it's the key to engaging, student-centered online learning. Whether you're looking to refine faculty engagement strategies, streamline RSI implementation, or ensure accreditation readiness, Ellucian has the expertise and tools to support your institution.
How Ellucian Can Help
Ready to transform your online courses with effective RSI practices? Ellucian provides expertise and tools to simplify RSI implementation while enhancing engagement and compliance:
- Ellucian Academic Services – Expert support in faculty training, LMS integration, online course template development, compliance tracking, and support for streamlining RSI adoption.
- Ellucian Experience – A digital engagement platform that facilitates seamless faculty-student interaction, personalized notifications, and easy access to academic resources.
- Ellucian Insights – Advanced analytics that track engagement patterns, helping institutions measure and improve RSI effectiveness.
For more information about our Teaching and Learning Services, visit us online and request a consultation.
