In March 2020 all Higher Education Institutions in South Africa closed. What started as an extended autumn-break for students escalated into a demanding challenge for both students and lecturers. Very few of us were skilled in the art of teaching and assessing in a virtual online environment. We tried – we often succeeded but sometimes failed.
In this case study Dr Irene Lubbe, Head-Education Consultant, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa shares some of the initiatives that she and her colleagues implemented. Focussing on what and how they did it, the results achieved and the feedback received, this session will include sleep-deprived narratives, tips, tricks and tools used during the four (and counting) stages that we as Education Consultants navigated. It will look at:
Crisis-management 101 and survival mode deluxe:
- Rapid transition from traditional to ‘just temporary’ online teaching and assessment
The reality shock – the uncomfortable truth of the extended pandemic:
- Adjusting and settling into a new temporary reality to save the academic year
How we:
- Overcome data-insufficiencies through embracing technology
- Were creative with workshops, simulations, games and virtual class visits for the clinical placements
- Adapted assignments and assessments, graduations, reports, lecturer evaluations and promotions
- Laid the foundations for a new future having pushed the boundaries so far