How long is 50 consecutive minutes of participation in a learning activity defined as?

Fifty consecutive minutes of participation in a learning activity is defined as a contact hour. This term is commonly used in educational and training contexts to measure the amount of time a student is engaged in an instruction or learning environment. A contact hour effectively represents one hour of scheduled instruction, which typically consists of 50 minutes of learning followed by 10 minutes of break or unaccounted time.

This definition aligns with the standards set forth by many educational institutions and regulatory bodies, which specify that a contact hour reflects the amount of time a participant is actively involved in a structured learning activity. In contrast, continuing education (CE) credits and course designations may encompass multiple contact hours or have different criteria, and a credit course usually requires a longer duration or additional components beyond just contact hours. Understanding this distinction is critical for professionals engaged in continuing education and training programs.