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JRCERT Update

Distance Education Standards

Laura Aaron, PhD, R.T.(R)(M)(QM), FASRT

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istance education in higher learning has synchronous or asynchronous. Through synchronous
become increasingly common. In 2013, more delivery, students attend class meetings in real time,
than 6 million students were enrolled in at even if they are in different locations. With asynchro­
Dleast one distance education course. The nous delivery, students can access materials at their
1
increase in distance education is evident in all types of own convenience. Course quality must be maintained
educational programs including those in the radiologic when integrating a distance education component
sciences. Most, if not all, radiologic sciences programs into any program. Standards for distance education
have integrated distance education into the curriculum are similar to those in a traditional educational set­
and now use a variety of teaching strategies to provide ting. 3 JRCERT uses the same standards to evaluate a
instruction to students in face-to-face, online, and program's curriculum, regardless of whether its courses
hybrid courses. are delivered traditionally or if distance education is
The Joint Review Committee on Education in integrated into the curriculum.
Radiologic T e chnology (JRCERT) supports programs The JRCERT standards for accredited educational
in developing and using alternative learning approach­ programs are used to ensure the quality of educational
es.2 T o clarify its position,JRCERT defined distance programs in radiography, radiation therapy, magnetic
education as: resonance imaging, and medical dosimetry. JRCERT
identifies programs offering 4 or more radiologic sci­
an educational process characterized by the
separation, in time or place, between instructor ence didactic courses in the professional curriculum via
and students. Distance education/delivery courses distance education as "distance education" programs.
are taught primarily (more than 50%) through Programs intending to offer 4 or more professional
the use ofTv; audio, or computer transmissions courses that meet the definition of distance education
(broadcast, closed-circuit, cable, microwave, satellite must submit notification of a substantive change to
transmissions); audio or computer conferencing; the JRCERT. The JRCERT Board of Directors must
video cassettes or disks; correspondence; and/or approve the change prior to its implementation.
a combination of face-tojace instruction with a Distance Education Standards
distance learning component (hybrid). 2
Distance education programs are expected to com­
Distance education can be categorized in multiple ply with all standards just as traditional programs are.
ways. One category is mode of delivery, which can be Five of the 6 JR CERT standards can be applied to the

RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY, September/October 2015, Volume 87, Number 1 103
Reprinted with permission from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for educational purposes. ©2019. All rights reserved.