1 April 2020| Volume 79 | Edition 2
Online Learning at UCT to combat COVID-19 pandemic
Source: Brad Brinkley
Brad Brinkley UCT’s solution to learning in times of social isolation.
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n the President’s speech on Sunday, 22 March, he declared that South Africa has been placed on lockdown from midnight, Thursday, 26 March until 16 April. Although UCT had already been on early vacation for a week by that point, it meant that management had to strengthen their commitment to online learning. Lectures, assignments, tests and all of the requisite learning material will be moved to Vula for students to access. Campus will not re-open for classes until the end of semester and students will continue with the academic term from home.
After the President’s speech, however, Phakeng stated that, “all academic activities, including research, will also cease.” This was in conjunction with her final order to vacate residences by 17:00 on Wednesday, 25 March. There are no longer any circumstances under which students are allowed to stay in the residences.
This is just one of the issues being addressed by the Teaching Online Task Team that has recently been created. They are collaborating with Universities South Africa (USAF) and service providers to eliminate data costs for specific UCT online resources to make them more accessible. They also intend to assess the readiness of all students through surveys so that they can provide the necessary services UCT’s Department of Student Affairs (DSA) and infrastructure where needed. provided bus services and cooperated with foreign embassies to expedite the evacuation. “A growing concern has arisen for underprivileged students who lack adequate Immediately, there was a question regarding the status of residences, as many students resources to learn at home.” . “There are no longer any circumstances under needed to stay for financial and logistical reawhich students are allowed to stay in the sons. However, according to Vice-Chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng, these students were residences.” Lange outlined the key differences that “putting themselves, UCT staff and the wider would arise in online learning. Mainly, there community at risk.” will be no exam period at the end of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Lis Lange published semester, and it will be replaced by continuous a basic timeline for students to utilise in their assessment. All courses will now require duly “putting themselves, UCT staff and the wider preparations for term 2: performed (DP) credits which are earned upon submission of assignments. She also stated community at risk.” 20-24 April – Orientation week for all students that the courses that are taken online will not to get settled and comfortable with online have mark allocations and will only be graded as “PASS” or “FAIL.” Initially, the residences were going to be learning. 27 April Term two officially starts. closed to all except those who applied to Lange noted that online learning will not stay and could indicate their need to do so. This differs from her initial communication expect “the same workload” as face-to-face This was decided after much internal conflict in which she stated that the orientation period learning and that students can watch lectures within the SRC, after the President Akha Tutu would commence on the 4-9 of April and term whenever, allowing for a flexible schedule. instructed all residence students to vacate. two would begin on the 16th of April. Campus will be reopened for students whose The conflict arose when another newsletter It is important to note the initial courses have practical components after was sent out, two hours later, that stated a communication is no longer valid. lockdown ends. firm opposition by the party and retracted the earlier statement from Tutu. They reaffirmed A growing concern has arisen for that students who “have genuine reasons for underprivileged students who lack adequate not being able to move” were not required to resources to learn at home. vacate residences.