Hours of Instructional Activity Equivalent
Instructional Activity Equivalent (IAE) is a general term to describe learning activities, assessments, and assignments that are required “student work” in an academic course. Online courses are required to follow the guidance for hours of instructional activity outlined in the Provost Memo: Definition of Credit Hour.
The information below provides definitions of applicable terms, examples of Instructional Activity Equivalents, and estimates of the time commitment for student work for each IAE are provided.
Definitions
A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement, for the various modes of instruction offered at Florida Atlantic University, in accordance with the following guidelines:
- For traditionally delivered courses, not less than one (1) hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction each week for fifteen (15) weeks per Fall or Spring semester, and a minimum of two (2) hours of out-of-class student work for each credit hour. Equivalent time and effort is required for which may be offered over a shortened time frame. ELearning, hybrid, and other non-traditional modes of delivery will demonstrate equivalent time and effort.[BH1]
Procedures:
Faculty develop the syllabi for each of their courses, following the Provost’s Guidelines for Course Syllabi and any additional guidelines provided by the department/school and college, and the credit hour guidelines in this memorandum.
- The course syllabus must document not less than one hour (50 Minutes) of direct instruction each week for fifteen weeks per semester for each credit hour. Courses meeting during shorter enrollment periods must document the equivalent direct instruction time. ELearning, hybrid, and other non-traditional modes of delivery must document weekly equivalent instructional activities to demonstrate the effort needed to achieve the course learning outcomes.
Definition Section in Provost Memo: Definition of Credit HourRelevant State And National Policies/Guidelines For FAU Online
Florida Virtual Campus (FLVC)
U.S. Department of Education
NC-SARA
Example Time Equivalencies for Instructional Activities
| Instructional Activity - Hover items for Notes | Instructional Activity Time Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Reading course content | 1 hour per 35 - 40 pages. Use a reading time calculator. |
| Discussion board post | 30 - 45 minutes per post with at least 2 supporting details |
| Discussion board reply | ½ hour per reply |
| Peer reviews | 15 minutes per page |
| Interactive learning objects | 30 - 45 minutes |
| Self-check quiz | ½ hour per 5 questions |
| Instructor created videos | 20 minutes |
| External video content | ½ hour |
| Case studies | 1.5 - 2 hours per case study. Read, analyze, post. |
| Group project | 1 - 3 hours per week |
| Presentation creation | ½ hour per slide |
| Presentation and feedback review | 30 - 45 minutes |
| Lab activities | 1 - 2 hours |
| Interviews | 1 hour per interview |
| Interview Debrief | 30 minutes |
| Field trips | 45 minutes - 1 hour |
| Blog posts | ½ hour per page |
| Synchronous research/project group meetings | 1 hour per meeting. 1 - 2 hours prep for meeting |


