“We have grabbed hold of this. A lot must happen quickly and many staff are working hard. However, our position is that we will manage this!” says Annika Mårtensson, deputy dean with responsibility for education at the Faculty of Engineering.
When LUM meets up with Annika Mårtensson in the students’ union building, a few days have passed since all education on campus ceased. The corridors are deserted and there is not a student in sight. Even though most staff at the Faculty of Engineering are used to working digitally, she says it is something entirely different to be able to use a learning platform in the best possible way.
“We were in the process of transitioning to the learning platform Canvas. However, the idea was for it to function as a good complement to the teaching on campus, not as it is now – the only alternative!”
The restaurant Moroten och Piskan is trying to attract lunch customers with more than just food: they are also offering hand sanitiser to all customers and carefully following health recommendations. However, despite restaurants, libraries, reading and computer rooms still being open at the time of publication, there is nobody here – at least not today. However, the faculty office at the Faculty of Engineering is open with staff on site.
Faculty managements across the University have taken the necessary decisions – including authorisations to change course syllabi for active courses. There is also a lot of focus on how to handle the flow of information so that staff and students receive fast and relevant information.
“It is a precondition for staff to be able to act”, says Annika Mårtensson.
Now the focus is on obtaining an overview of all courses, and solving all the different problems that arise. In a couple of days, a new study period is about to start at the Faculty of Engineering. This means that nearly 300 new courses are underway; many staff at the Faculty of Engineering are busy, including Annika Mårtensson. However, not all courses will be able to run during the spring semester.
“We are likely to have to postpone a few courses that have practical components. For example, these may be courses in industrial design, chemical engineering, electrical engineering and measurements – in which students are to build models or carry out laboratory work and need access to equipment and technology.”
Some of the courses could be offered as summer courses. However, the big question is how assessments are to be managed while maintaining quality, says Annika Mårtensson. How is an invigilated on-campus exam to be changed to a digital home-based exam, during which students can access the internet and all kinds of support tools are available?
“Exams are the big challenge”, she says, adding that there is a strong tradition of invigilated on-campus exams at the Faculty of Engineering.
Public PhD defences are another form of assessment and the first public defence via the video conferencing tool Zoom has already taken place at the University. LU Conferences has also set up a studio at the Bishop’s House where staff can access professional help to record teaching. LU Conferences has furnished a studio in the Bishop’s House where teaching can be recorded.
“The result is that there will be a lot more material we can use later on in courses once this is over.”
University teaching staff are going through a process of intensive learning and there are many examples of staff trying to help each other in different forums. At the beginning, the focus is on how to solve practical problems and AHU, the Division for Higher Education Development, can help with this. At the Faculty of Engineering, there is also support available from the professional development unit Genombrottet.
“The transition requires teamwork. There is also something exciting and positive in the situation – are we able to do this?”
