The i. i the basic law of the educational system in portugal [1] already included, since 1986, distance learning, using “multimedia and new information technologies, not only as a complementary form of regular education but also as an alternative type of education.” despite this, distance learning was regulated only in 2014 [2], and just for primary and secondary school. in the context of higher education, only five years later it was approved the legal regime in portugal [3]. despite that the distance learning courses must be expressly accredited by national agency, universidade aberta was practically the only higher education institution (hei) that offered distance courses in portugal until 2019. the lack of regulation also prevented the courses that could be taught in this way from being evaluated by the national accreditation agency. distance learning is defined as teaching “predominantly taught with physical separation between participants in the educational process, namely teachers and students” [3]. additionally, it must comply with following