Extensive need for support during digital transition Over a very short period, the University of Gothenburg’s lecturers have had to change their way of lecturing. PIL, the Unit for Pedagogical Development and Interactive Learning is providing support in this adjustment Even though the technology works well, there are several challenges, such as how to vary the lecturing digitally, particularly for large student groups. EVER SINCE MARCH 17, when the Vice-Chancellor made the decision to switch to online teaching and remote working, it has been a hectic time for the PIL employees. The first thing they did was to send those who worked on Canvas support home, in order to reduce the risk of them having to go on sick leave in these challenging times. Subsequently, instructions were drafted, the website updated and daily web cafés are being organised. There have been many questions,” says Maria Sunnerstam, Assistant Manager in charge of e-learning and pedagogical developer at the PIL unit. But the lecturers are experiencing the greatest change. “The need for help and support is considerable now. There are many skilled lecturers at the institu-
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tions who have extensive expertise and know-how about remote teaching, but many find it difficult, as they have been forced to restructure their lecturing at very short notice. Many of them had to start by learning Zoom very quickly and then lecture using the tool. The next step is to work more in Canvas, which offers even more possibilities. I recommend keeping it simple, at least in the beginning.” You can achieve quite a lot using both Canvas and Zoom, Maria Sunnerstam stresses. “There is a lot you can do in both of them; for example, Zoom has capacity for up to 300 users. Canvas offers good opportunities for working in groups through a chat forum, but you can also create quizzes, as well as conduct co-writing assignments and examinations in the tool.” Initially, the pressure on Zoom was so great that it collapsed, but the capacity has been expanded and that is no longer an issue. “IT IS GREAT TO see the use of Zoom spiking. It
amounts to thousands of new users in just a week. Conducting meetings in Zoom works remarkably well, good audio and video, even though it can become a little tiring in the long run.” The next step, according to Maria Sunnerstam, is to create an exchange of experience that is more
G ht tps o to: :/ se/d is/pi l.g u. ta ns The PIL unit’s website has everything gathered in the one place, such as instructions for various tools that are useful for remote teaching, such Zoom and Canvas. A Zoom café is held from 09:00–15:00 each weekday, where you can drop in and ask questions. From 12:00 special webinars are held several times a week, such as Pitfalls and Challenges in Online Teaching, Zoom Training, Information on Digital Home Examinations and Document. The programme is being continuously updated.
educational and to discuss how to achieve high quality lectures using digital tools. Another issue is how to conduct examinations when you cannot use physical examination rooms. “IT IS DIFFICULT TO come up with any general advice on the matter. It depends entirely on the subject and the size of the groups. Each lecturer needs to design their own set up and, as part of that process, we try to highlight our amazing lecturers at the university that can act as role models for others. Each faculty and the University Library also have a representative in the DigiKomp project, Digital Competence in Teaching and Examination at the University of Gothenburg. At several faculties, these individuals have now been given a coordinating role in providing support before transitioning to remote teaching.” Maria Sunnerstam also tells us that there are recording studios at the faculties, opportunities to record through PowerPoint, Zoom or GU Play/Kaltura, and that Media Technology also offers help recording lectures that can then be posted on GU Play. Even though there is good technology and plenty of advice, the transition to online teaching will not be entirely painless. “The major challenge lies in varying the
