Teaching Arrangements in Term 1, AY2020-21

As the Covid-19 situation continues to improve in Hong Kong, the University has announced that face-to-face teaching mode will be resumed in parallel with online teaching mode (hereinafter “hybrid teaching mode”) starting from 28 September 2020. This option will balance the importance of safeguarding the health of the Lingnan community with our obligation to provide face-to-face education opportunities to students which in our previous surveys were much preferred by the majority of students. Subsequent to this announcement, the Senior Management Team and the Deans have received different views and concerns from the faculty about the required teaching mode.  In light of these comments, this message provides further details about teaching arrangements, teaching technology and support available to faculty.

(A)  Teaching mode (starting from 28 September 2020)

• All classes, except the required language courses, will be delivered in hybrid teaching mode.
• Subject teachers should conduct their classes at designated teaching venues on campus and time-slots according to the timetable, and broadcast the lessons online simultaneously. All classes should be recorded.
• Students can choose to attend either the face-to-face classes or real-time online classes.
• Face-to-face teaching mode without online teaching mode is allowed if all students in a class are in Hong Kong and they all prefer the former mode, but the class will still be recorded.

(B)  Teaching materials

• Course materials should be uploaded to Moodle before the classes.
• The recordings of classes should be uploaded to Panopto and linked in Moodle.

(C)  Use of webcams

• Students taking online classes will be required to turn on their webcams as attendance record.
• Students may apply to their teachers for exemption individually with justifications.

(D)  Supports for hybrid teaching mode

• All classrooms will be equipped with essential technical equipment for hybrid teaching.
• ITSC will provide online training workshops on usage of technical equipment to colleagues.
• TLC will provide support, consultation and training workshops on hybrid teaching to colleagues.
• Face shields / masks can be ordered from CO-FMD. You can make your request via departmental administrative staff accordingly.

(E)  Seating plan in face-to-face classes

•  Subject teachers / departmental staff are advised to prepare seating plans and keep records (e.g. take photo before the class) to facilitate possible contact tracing. Please refer to the “Health Advice for Staff and Students on Face-to-face Teaching and Learning” (click here) for further details.

We understand that the provision of hybrid teaching mode under the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging. But just as we embraced the challenge of conducting online teaching last semester, we can do the same now and emerge wiser and stronger in the process. Some faculty members at Lingnan have already experimented with hybrid teaching with success, and colleagues in ITSC and TLC are ready to help.  Let’s work together and provide the best teaching and learning experience to our students.

 

Sincerely,

CP Lau