Student Workload in Online Learning
Following FGCU Policy 2.013, Credit Hour, calculating the time for online course activities that contributes to the determination of appropriate credit for the course may vary based on the design of the online course. Students will engage with course content, faculty, and peers through asynchronous discussion boards, lecture videos, synchronous online tools, or equivalent instructional activities.
Provided here are examples and tools for estimating time equivalencies for instructional activities. We understand that certain courses may not fall within time parameters because of program requirements.
Examples
Workload Examples for a 15-week, 3-Credit Class
Workload Example for a Summer 10-week, 3-Credit Class
Online Instructional Contact Hour Guide
| Course component direct instruction | description | hours per occurrence |
|---|---|---|
| Blogs and Reflective Journals | Application of learning through reflective analysis and application to the subject matter. 1 hour per page. | 1 hour |
| Case Study | Faculty directed activity requiring in/depth, application, synthesis, evaluation related to course objectives. Includes faculty feedback and assessment. | 2 hours |
| Chat rooms | Faculty directed synchronous opportunity for collaborative learning. Defined expectations of participation are given to all students through the syllabus. | 0.5 hour |
| Clinical Supervision On Site | Face-to-face weekly clinical supervision. | 1:1 hours for length of experience |
| Consultation / Meeting / Conference | Can include phone meetings, in person or other multimedia communication with formative or summative feedback. | 1:1 hours for length of event |
| Discussion Boards | Faculty directed threaded discussions that relate directly to course objectives. Thoughtful
analysis of course material and readings as well reflective and insightful comments
on the posts of others is expected. Time allocation will depend on complexity of post
and/or response. Post Response 0.5-1.0 0.5 |
.5-1 hours |
| Exams / Quizzes | Assessment of knowledge including true/ false, multiple choice, fill in the blank, short answer, essay questions, etc. |
0.5 hours / 10 multiple choice questions 1 hour / 10 for short answer questions 0.25 hours / essay question |
| Field Trips | Faculty directed outside of class experience. | 1:1 hours for length of experience |
| Fieldwork | Faculty directed field activity. May include student teaching or clinical counseling assessment. Required time should be listed on the course syllabus. | 1:1 for length of each meeting |
| Group activity / project | Faculty directed group activity targeted toward specific learning objectives. | 1:1 hours for length of each meeting |
| Group or organization participation | Faculty directed participation in an outside group or organization. | 1:1 for length of observation or participation time |
| Guest Presentation | Faculty directed viewing of film or filmed speaker event related to course objectives. | 1:1 hours for length of presentation |
| Hands on simulated, active, learning | Independent application of learning. | Time estimated by faculty |
| Lab Assignments | Lab assignment planned with a pedagogical objective. | Time estimated by faculty |
| Lecture online, live synchronous / asynchronous | Faculty delivered synchronous or asynchronous presentation and instruction related to course objectives. | 1:1 hours for length of lecture |
| Library Guidance and overview of | Faculty directed basic overview; part of research process and includes searching and evaluating resources related to course objectives. | 1 hour |
| Multimedia | Faculty Directed use of social media, video, podcasts, VOD casts, music, etc. | 1 hour or 1:1 hours for length of media |
| Orientation to Course / Technology | Faculty directed orientation to course and / or review of technology related to course objectives. | 1.5 hours |
| Readings |
This is for reading out of classroom work / homework.
|
4-10 mins / page |
| Self or Peer Assessment of work | Facilitated and monitored activity with a pedagogical purpose. | 1 hour |
| Service learning | Involves in and out of class with service to the community as the pedagogical strategy. | 1:1 hours for length of activity |
| Student Project | Faculty directed activity targeted toward specific learning objectives; student works independently and completes project with faculty provided guidance. Can count each week as an occurrence. | 1 hour |
Course Workload Estimators
Tools like course workload estimators from Rice University and Wake Forest University can help estimate the time students should spend on the readings, viewing videos, and working on the assignments and assessments.
- Workload Estimator from Rice University - This tool considers the specific types of reading or writing that are assigned, and exams.
- Wake Forest University Workload Estimator 2.0 - This tool considers the specific types of reading or writing that are assigned, discussions posts, videos, exams and synchronous meetings
For additional support, contact your Instructional Designer in Digital Learning.
