Add distance learning hours

Updated 3/13/24

This article tells how to add different types of hours for students working independently on distance learning (DL) platforms.

DL students may have two types of hours: direct contact with staff, and proxy hours.

• Direct contact time may be earned during orientation, pre- and post-testing, supplemental instruction, speaking with the student by phone or email, etc. 
• Proxy hours refer to the time students spend working independently to complete DL lessons. 

To add distance learning hours, student hours must be dated within the current month or one month prior. See more in this help article: One (1) Month Lockdown for Entering Time, Tests. 

Entering DIRECT CONTACT time

Direct contact time may be recorded as classroom hours or as block hours not associated with a class. It must be recorded for the actual date contact time was earned.

Option 1 - add as classroom hours

When a student is enrolled in a class, time may be recorded as regular instructional hours. Select the class from the Classes tab, go to the Attendance screen, and record daily hours for the student as usual.

Option 2 - add as block hours

When a student is NOT enrolled in a class, enter contact time as block hours. You will need an Admin level login to enter block hours on the Students>Time tab.

1. Select the student from the Students tab, then go to the Time tab.
2. Type the date the hours were earned.
3. From the Time Type menu, choose Contact or Counseling & Testing. DO NOT select Distance Learning, which is for proxy hours only.
4. Select Block Time from the Class menu.
5. Enter the number of hours in the appropriate box and Save.

Entering PROXY HOURS

Your program isn't in touch with DL students every day because they are working on their own. For this reason, the MDE allows programs to record a student's proxy hours monthly. Most ABE programs record proxy hours as one chunk of time on the last day month.

Students who are earning proxy hours must be enrolled in a specially designated DL class. For details, see Create a Distance Learning Proxy Class.

A maximum of 30 hours may be entered on any one day. When a student has more than 30 hours for the month, spread the time over as many days as necessary.

1. Select the student from the Students tab, then go to the Time tab.
2. Type the desired date, usually the last day of the month.
3. From the Time Type menu, choose Distance Learning. 
4. Select the name of the class from the Class menu.
5. Enter the number of hours and click Save.

For more information about Minnesota's Distance Learning option, check out this link: http://mnabe-distancelearning.org/