Objective
By the end of this unit, you will be able to identify and use tools within your Learning Management System (LMS) to facilitate Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) with your students.
Why LMS Tools Matter for RSI
Brightspace offers a range of features that can streamline and support Regular and Substantive Interaction. By using these tools strategically, instructors can ensure that students remain engaged, receive timely feedback, and have multiple opportunities for interaction throughout the course. LMS tools can be used to:
- Facilitate ongoing communication with students.
- Provide timely feedback on assignments.
- Encourage collaborative discussions among students and instructors.
- Track student progress and intervene when necessary.
Note: CUNY recommends the use of its supported LMS platform, D2L Brightspace, to maintain consistent student interaction and comply with cybersecurity and data privacy standards. For more information on CUNY’s LMS policy, including guidelines for alternative platforms, please refer to the full Policy Statement.
All Online Synchronous and Online Asynchronous classes must be delivered via a learning management system (LMS)
Key LMS Tools to Support RSI
Purpose
The course syllabus is the foundational document outlining expectations, objectives, assignments, and grading criteria.
Best Practice
Upload the syllabus to the LMS before the course begins. Make it easily accessible in a dedicated section, such as “Syllabus,” so students can refer to it throughout the semester. Consider providing both a downloadable PDF version and an inline view for convenience.
RSI Connection
The syllabus provides students with clear, predictable guidance on what to expect throughout the course, ensuring regular interaction through consistent deadlines, expectations, and communication.
Purpose
Use the announcement tool for weekly reminders and to share critical information that reinforces your presence in the course. Announcements can also include video messages to add a more personal touch.
Best Practice
Use the announcement tool for weekly reminders and to share critical information that reinforces your presence in the course. Announcements can also include video messages to add a more personal touch.
RSI Connection
Regular announcements ensure that students are aware of what is expected of them each week, creating predictable interaction.
Purpose
Provide a transparent and organized system for tracking student performance, helping both students and instructors monitor progress throughout the course.
Best Practice
Use the LMS gradebook to record and update grades regularly. Enter assignment grades promptly, along with detailed feedback when possible. Clearly communicate grading criteria through rubrics to ensure students understand how their work will be evaluated. The gradebook should reflect the final grading structure outlined in the syllabus.
RSI Connection
Maintaining an up-to-date gradebook supports regular interaction, as it allows students to receive timely feedback on their performance and stay engaged with their progress.
Purpose
Create an ongoing dialogue between students and instructors.
Best Practice
Facilitate discussion threads that require students to engage critically with course content and with one another. Actively participate in these threads to guide the conversation and provide feedback.
RSI Connection
Discussion boards provide both substantive and regular interaction, as they offer opportunities for instructors to engage students in meaningful dialogue related to course content.
Purpose
Check for understanding and reinforce key concepts.
Best Practice
Consider using quizzes for formative assessments that help students track their understanding of course material. Automated quizzes can provide immediate feedback, while manually graded assessments allow for personalized guidance.
RSI Connection
Regular assessments encourage continuous engagement with course materials, while personalized feedback on assessments promotes substantive interaction.
Purpose
Provide students with structured opportunities to demonstrate their understanding of course material and receive meaningful feedback.
Best Practice
Host all assignments in the LMS with clear instructions, due dates, and rubrics. This helps students understand expectations and track their progress. Use a mix of assignment types—essays, projects, quizzes, discussions—to engage students in different ways. Ensure assignments are aligned with the course objectives and provide timely, constructive feedback.
RSI Connection
Assignments foster regular and substantive interaction between instructors and students by allowing for detailed feedback and continuous engagement with course content.
Purpose
Offer live, real-time opportunities for students to ask questions and receive feedback.
Best Practice
Hold regular office hours via video conferencing tools like Zoom. Schedule these sessions at predictable times, and encourage students to attend for extra support or clarification on course materials.
RSI Connection
Virtual office hours are an excellent way to provide regular and substantive interaction in real time, fostering a personal connection between students and instructors.
Key Takeaway
Your LMS offers powerful tools to support RSI, ensuring both regular and substantive interaction with students. By strategically using announcements, discussion boards, feedback tools, and analytics, you can maintain a consistent and engaged teaching presence. For more detailed information about LMS policy and guidelines, refer to the CUNY LMS Policy Statement.
