#LockdownSA: Universities prep for online classes

THE Durban University of Technology has started initiating plans for online teaching should the national lockdown be extended.

DUT has launched the Technology for Learning (TFL) programme, an official online learning platform.

Part of the TFL programmes are two mobile applications that will “serve as a powerful hub, providing access to a number of tools for communicating, learning and doing assessment tasks online.”

There will also be online tutorials, webinars, instant messaging, virtual meetings, online collaborations and sharing of documents.

Students will also have access to trained tutors to assist them to access the online learning platforms. With the coronavirus pandemic surging, universities all over the world have been contemplating online learning as a way to save the academic year.

The University of York in England faced a lot of backlash after suggesting that students with no access to IT (Information Technology) equipment and internet connection consider “suspend(ing) their studies.”

Berea Mail asked DUT how it planned to support students from poor backgrounds who may not have access to smartphones, mobile data and a reliable internet connection.

“It is worth pointing out that DUT is acutely aware of the different socio-economic backgrounds of its students and we would not engage in anything that would undermine the principles of equity and social justice,” said Alan Khan, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at DUT.

ALSO READ: App launched to aid in fight against Covid-19

“The contingency plans that were recently introduced may only be used for a longer period, should the national lockdown be extended. However, our academic staff have been advised not to conduct any summative assessments during the lockdown period, as these cannot be monitored and managed appropriately if done remotely from home. DUT’s academics are encouraged to conduct formative or developmental assessments including quizzes and multiple choice questions, as these would ordinarily form part of teaching and learning.”

There is also the reality of some courses like electrical engineering and hospitality that require practical work that cannot be done online.

“It is difficult for the university to make any definite plans for courses that require practical work, under these conditions. However, our contingency planning has taken into account all possible scenarios in relation to regular teaching, practical work, work-integrated learning (WIL), in-service learning, etc,” said Khan.

Meanwhile the University of KwaZulu-Natal said it is busy finalising the provision of online teaching and learning according to its Vice-Chancellor, Nana Poku.

Poku said they are aware many students do not have access to laptops and internet so there is no expectation so far for them to submit assignments online.

In a virtual meeting held by the Universities of South Africa (USAF), consisting of 26 university vice-chancellors, it was revealed that 90% of universities are ready to deliver online classes as of 1 April.

USAF said all vice-chancellors are committed to completing the 2020 academic year and will look to alternatives should universities not open on 20 April as planned

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).

Do you want to receive news alerts via Telegram? Send us a message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts

Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.