The Standards define Group Live programs as “synchronous learning in a group environment with real time interaction of an instructor or subject matter expert that provides the required element of attendance monitoring and engagement." 

Whether a program is classified as group live or group Internet based is determined by how the participant consumes the learning (in a group setting or on an individual basis) and not by the technology used in program delivery. Group live examples include but are not limited to:

• classroom setting with a real time instructor
• participation in a group setting calling in to a teleconference
• participation in a group setting watching a rebroadcast of a program with a real time subject matter expert facilitator

 

A Group Internet Based program is defined as “Individual participation in synchronous learning with real time interaction of an instructor or subject matter expert and built-in processes for attendance and interactivity." 

Whether a program is classified as group live or group Internet based is determined by how the participant consumes the learning (in a group setting or on an individual basis) and not by the technology used in program delivery. Group Internet based examples include but are not limited to:

• participation in a webcast individually
• participation in a broadcast of a group live presentation on an individual basis
• participants calling in to a conference call on an individual basis

 

But what is an acceptable monitoring procedure? Sponsors have discretion in determining the most appropriate monitoring procedures. You can use polling questions, code words at random intervals or a combination of these. If you use polling questions, you must include three polling questions per CPE credit.

A QAS™ Self Study program is “an educational program completed individually without the assistance or interaction of a real time instructor."  QAS™ Self Study programs can be taken online or may be paper-based. These programs require the completion of a qualified assessment with a passing score of 70.

Also, this delivery method has two methodologies to determine CPE credits. CPE credits can be determined through a pilot test or a word count formula under the Standards. For more detail on these two methods, please review Standard No. 17 of the Standards.