Page 29 - JRCERT Update Articles

JRCERT Update

Distance Education Standards

Leslie Winter, MS, R.T.(R)

istance education in higher learning has own convenience. Course quality must be maintained
become increasingly common, in large part when integrating a distance education component into
because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fall any program. Standards for distance education are
D2020, more than 11.8 million students were similar to those in a traditional educational setting. 3
enrolled in at least 1 distance education course, with JRCERT uses the same standards to evaluate a pro-
almost 7 million students enrolled exclusively in dis- gram’s curriculum, whether its courses are delivered
tance education courses. The increase in distance traditionally or if distance education is integrated into
1
education is evident in all types of educational pro- the curriculum.
grams, including those in the radiologic sciences. The JRCERT Standards For Accredited Educational
Most, if not all, radiologic sciences programs have Programs are used to ensure the quality of educational
integrated distance education into the curriculum and programs in radiography, radiation therapy, magnetic
now use a variety of teaching strategies to provide resonance imaging, and medical dosimetry. JRCERT
instruction to students in face-to-face, online, and identifies programs offering 4 or more radiologic sci-
hybrid courses. ence didactic courses in the professional curriculum
The Joint Review Committee on Education in via distance delivery as distance education programs.
4
Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) supports programs Programs intending to offer 4 or more professional
in developing and using alternative learning approach- courses that meet the definition of distance education
es. To clarify its position, JRCERT has defined must submit notification of a substantive change to
2
distance education as: the JRCERT. The JRCERT Board of Directors must
an educational process characterized by the approve the change before its implementation.
separation, in time or place, between instructor Distance Education Standards
and students…Distance education/delivery courses
are taught primarily (more than 50%) through Distance education programs are expected to com-
the use of TV, audio, or computer transmissions ply with all standards, same as traditional programs.
(broadcast, closed-circuit, cable, microwave, satellite Five of the 6 JRCERT Standards can be applied to the
transmissions); audio or computer conferencing; distance education components of a program’s curricu-
video cassettes or disks; and/or a combination of lum. Standard 5 is excluded because it addresses health
face-to-face instruction with a distance learning and safety and is not relevant to distance education.
component (hybrid). 2
Standard 1
Distance education can be categorized in multiple Standard 1 addresses accountability, fair practices,
ways. One category is mode of delivery, which can be and public information. Programs must publish mate-
5-8
synchronous or asynchronous. Through synchronous rials informing prospective and enrolled students of
3
delivery, students attend class meetings in real time, the use of distance education in the curriculum and the
even if they are in different locations. With asynchro- associated costs. Those publications also must state any
nous delivery, students can access materials at their special requirements related to distance education. 2

388 asrt.org/publications
Reprinted with permission from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for educational purposes. ©2023. All rights reserved.