Broadcast: News items

Kelly Coate, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Education and Students

Today the Pro Vice Chancellor for Education and Students, Kelly Coate, wrote to all academic staff. You can read the email in full below:

Dear colleague,

We know you are working hard to prepare for teaching and you have asked about some situations that were not covered on the guidance pages. We have therefore responded to provide additional guidance for teaching staff to ensure that it covers recent questions from you.

In addition, I have included an update on some of key questions I know you have at this present time.
 
What teaching should I plan for students who cannot attend in person?
 
Based on current student registrations, less than 5% of our students will begin their studies remotely. For students who cannot return to campus there are a number of options, and the best option is dependent on several factors e.g. learning outcomes, subject material, type of teaching session etc. We therefore want to encourage Module Convenors to adjust the provision for these students in a way that would provide the best experience. This may involve some of the options identified below. We recognise that for some students who are having to remotely access learning that this might mean some modules are experienced differently. We encourage Module Convenors to discuss the options with the Directors of Teaching and Learning to help with consistency where possible and this way we can also ensure sharing of practice.

Options for supporting students who cannot attend in-person

There are a limited number of reasons for which students are permitted to delay their return to in-person attendance, and students will identify these (where relevant) during registration/re-registration. For students who cannot return to campus temporarily there are a number of options for modules to support them, and the best option is dependant on several factors e.g. learning outcomes, subject material, type of teaching session etc. Where there are students needing to study remotely, we want to encourage Module Convenors to adjust the provision for these students in a way that would provide the best experience. We recognise that for some students who are having to remotely access learning that this might mean some modules are experienced differently.
 
We encourage Module Convenors to discuss the options with their Director of Teaching and Learning to help with consistency and this way we can also ensure sharing of practice. Schools are now able to identify students whose return to in-person study will be delayed. Some options for supporting students who cannot attend in-person temporarily might include:

• directing remote students to watch the Panopto recording after a teaching session and have pre- and post-teaching resources to engage in. Students could also be signposted to office hours where these are being made available remotely
• students watching the session live via Zoom/Panopto and having a route provided for asking questions (e.g. a Canvas forum)
• the tutor could use Zoom during an in-person class to include all students in all activities (‘dual mode’)

For students who are able to attend the campus but are temporarily isolating they should report their absence in the usual way, be registered as Absence Notified, and should be informed of how they can best maintain their learning. This should be similar to how a student would be supported to continue their learning before Covid if they were unwell for a period of time.

Supporting you through Technology Enhanced Learning
 
The TEL team are working hard to help support you and have developed a series of dedicated workshops. These workshops focus on software such as Canvas, Zoom, Panopto and Poll Everywhere and are particularly useful for providing guidance on how to support students who cannot attend in person, as referenced above.

Your health and safety
 
Throughout the pandemic we have put a wide range of measures in place to ensure that we are making the campus as safe as possible during this time. Further information is available on the staff webpages. There is also a final Return to Campus webinar next week on Thursday 16 September which you can register for, and put any questions to our team of experts. 

We have been asked what should I do if a student is coughing?
 
Coughing is a natural function and may not indicate cause for concern. Covid-19 involves a range of symptoms (coughing may be one) and if a member of staff is concerned about a student they should check they are okay. It is good practice to encourage all students to only attend if they feel well and to use the lateral flow tests.
 
The University will be regularly reminding students to carry out testing and also to be conscious of fellow students and staff and to not travel onto campus if they are not feeling well or have any symptoms of Covid-19.
 
Helping you to request physical distancing
 
A red lanyard scheme will be launched in the coming weeks to provide staff with a way of communicating to others that they would like to continue with physical distancing. The scheme is entirely voluntary and further communications will be issued once the lanyards have been distributed to collection points across campus.
 
A similar wristband scheme is being launched for students with red, yellow and green colours to indicate how comfortable they feel being around others and will be launched in Welcome Week.
 
Face coverings in the classroom
 
We will be reminding all students before and during the term through regular communication, signage and our new Community Pledge that we do expect students to wear face-coverings in busy indoor spaces – such as the classroom. Of course some students will be exempt. We know that some staff may be worried about how to broach instances where students are not wearing face coverings. Whilst it is not a legal requirement to wear face coverings, we are making it very clear that it is the expectation of our community. If a member of staff does have concerns following a teaching session, then please raise this with your line manager and we will find ways to support you.
 
Myself and the many teams are working hard to ensure there is a smooth path for your return to campus will be in regular communication with you over the next few weeks. I do appreciate this is again a complex time – however I do hope that the extensive planning and preparation in place means we can move through this in a way that you feel comfortable with – and that our students have a great start to the year.

All the very best,

Kelly Coate

Pro Vice Chancellor for Education and Students