{"id":5360,"date":"2020-05-28T10:00:54","date_gmt":"2020-05-28T08:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/law\/?p=5360"},"modified":"2020-05-28T10:01:49","modified_gmt":"2020-05-28T08:01:49","slug":"update-on-teaching-and-learning-during-covid-19-terugvoer-rakende-leer-en-onderrig-gedurende-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/law\/update-on-teaching-and-learning-during-covid-19-terugvoer-rakende-leer-en-onderrig-gedurende-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Update on teaching and learning during COVID-19\/Terugvoer rakende leer en onderrig gedurende COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

The pilot of online teaching and learning<\/strong>
\nThe Law Faculty students and lecturers commenced with online learning and teaching from April 2020. Adjusting to studies in law is challenging for many students whilst the increased complexity of pre-final year and final year modules present challenges of its own. As a Faculty we are therefore concerned with each and every student\u2019s adjustment to our new reality, whether a first year or final year student and everyone else in between.
\nOur Faculty\u2019s experience after 5 weeks of online learning has been mainly positive or at least as positive as is possible under the extraordinary circumstances. It has, however, not been plain sailing and important lessons have been learnt, which will help us going forward. Without reflection and continuous adjustments, we run the risk of losing students to this year, which is something that we want to try and avoid at all costs. We are grateful that our students have tackled this term with dedication and perseverance and we want to recognise the efforts of students and lecturers to complete this year successfully. We remain confident that we can achieve this goal.<\/p>\n

Our response to the main challenges<\/strong>
\nThe Law Faculty (together with the relevant institutional divisions) spent significant resources to identify and trace students in need of technological equipment and\/or data. Despite severe lockdown limitations on setting-up laptops and delivery of instruments to students, we are confident that law students are in a good position to participate fully in online teaching.
\nThe Faculty established a small committee (comprising of the dean, vice-dean, our dedicated student coordinator and the chair and vice-chair of the JV\/S) to meet on a weekly basis to discuss pressing matters, to facilitate communication between students and the faculty\/lecturers and to identify the need for areas of increased academic support for law students. At-risk students are contacted by the coordinator individually on a one-on-one basis. After the first week of teaching student feedback enabled the blended learning coordinator and lecturers to make adjustments to SUNLearn module pages to encourage continuous feedback and interaction. With the proficient assistance of the JV\/S, a survey regarding students\u2019 experience of online learning was conducted that provided us with valuable insights regarding pressure points and matters where the Faculty could assist. Some of the matters that students highlighted include dealing with the workload in this new context, mental wellness, structured communication in law modules, etc.
\nThe Faculty engaged with the library and legal publishers to facilitate broader access to online resources, which was successful to a large degree but unfortunately not every prescribed text book is available as an e-book yet. Students and lecturers are, however, innovatively making use of different source materials to help bridge the gap.
\nOnline (open-book) assessments are both a chance to present students with creative and enriching learning opportunities as well as a challenge to assure the continued quality and integrity of our learning and assessments. Following the first round of online assessments, the Faculty has held a series of internal discussions with the respective role-players, so as to learn from the initial test experience, in order to finalise a standardised assessment template of \u2018best practices\u2019 that is to be implemented in the upcoming June\/July assessment round.
\nThe University has also rolled out a comprehensive training programme for lecturers to equip themselves with the latest skills and knowledge about online teaching. Senate approved the Faculty\u2019s changes to the Annual Calendar to provide for longer examination times for all semester module June\/July examinations.<\/p>\n

The move to online teaching and learning has been a significant adjustment for both students and lecturers. We are, however, positive that we will be able to adjust our sails to the wind and weather the storm.<\/em><\/p>\n

Supporting our students<\/strong>
\nBased on the feedback we have received, we plan to provide law students with the opportunity to reflect on changes in their learning approach(es) that are necessitated by online learning. To this end, we have liaised with the Centre for Student Counselling and Development, specifically the Unit for Academic Counselling and Development, to prepare a tailor-made and targeted webinar to assist students with evaluating the success of their study techniques thus far.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnline learning as a law student \u2013 suggestions & feedback\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Date: Wednesday 3 June 2020 (further details to be announced)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOnline learning as a law student \u2013 panel discussion\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Date: Wednesday 10 June 2020 (further details to be announced)<\/em><\/p>\n

Law101 SUNLearn module<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

A general observation, for example, is that many students are attempting to transcribe audio podcasts\/lectures instead of using it as a replacement for a contact session and as one of several inputs (including prescribed reading work) to satisfying a module\u2019s study outcomes. It is important that students make use of this opportunity! The only certainty right now is that everything is changing rapidly and continuously \u2014 lecturers also have to reflect on their teaching approach and style in order to adapt and are continuously attending webinars on various topics related to teaching and assessment.<\/p>\n

All scheduled tutorials are continuing and we invite feedback regarding suggestions for alternative or additional learning engagements. All lecturers are available for consultation and appreciate the inputs and recommendations received from students. It is important for students to realise that adjustments to, and tweaking of, the online experience can only be done in instances where the lecturer(s) are made aware of any issues or challenges. All law students are therefore encouraged to engage with their lecturers in this regard. Students are also reminded of their class representative, should they prefer to make use of this channel of communication.
\nWe encourage students to provide feedback to the JV\/S so that the Faculty can proactively deal with matters of mutual concern.
\nPlease consult the useful resources developed and uploaded on http:\/\/www.sun.ac.za\/english\/learning-teaching\/student-affairs\/cscd\/Pages\/Guidance-for-Student-Online-Learning.aspx<\/a>, and be sure to keep periodically checking the Law101 SUNLearn page. Remember that all counselling and academic development services continue and don\u2019t hesitate to reach out https:\/\/www.sun.ac.za\/english\/learning-teaching\/student-affairs\/cscd.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Message of encouragement<\/strong>
\nArtificial intelligence provides machines the ability to \u2018adapt in changing situations with high precision, accuracy and speed\u2019 due to insights from big data and the environment. Humans are not machines and we require emotional intelligence, motivation, support and a clear mind to adapt and find our feet in fluid contexts. Your ability to adapt is being stretched and while this may test your resilience now it will without a doubt contribute to your success in life.
\nPersevere, hang in there and please believe in yourself. Reach out to your support system, including family and friends. Make a conscious effort to stay in contact with your fellow law students, many of whom will no doubt be experiencing the new online environment in similar fashion to you. Use this contact as a means to get a sense of where you are in your understanding, relative to your peers \u2013 and work together where feasible so as to facilitate the adjustment to the online learning paradigm. We also see ourselves as part of your support system and believe that you can successfully complete this academic year.<\/p>\n

The first and second examination opportunities as scheduled for June and July will all remain online assessments as per our prior communication. As soon as more clarity is available regarding COVID-19 and its implications for the second semester of 2020 we will update you.<\/p>\n

Sincerely<\/p>\n

Prof Nicola Smit,\u00a0Dean<\/p>\n

Prof Richard Stevens, Vice-Dean<\/p>\n

Sound bite<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Die loods van aanlyn onderrig en leer<\/strong>
\nStudente en dosente aan die Fakulteit Regsgeleerdheid het vanaf April 2020 begin met aanlyn leer en onderrig. Die aanpassing aan die studeer van regte is vir baie studente uitdagend, terwyl die toenemende ingewikkeldheid van modules in die voor-finalejaar en die finalejaar sy eie uitdagings bied. As Fakulteit is ons dus besorg oor die aanpassing van elke student aan die nuwe werklikheid, hetsy \u0149 eerstejaar- of finalejaarstudent en almal tussenin.
\nDie ervaring deur die Fakulteit n\u00e1 vyf weke van aanlyn leer was hoofsaaklik positief of ten minste so positief as moontlik onder hierdie buitengewone omstandighede. Dit was egter nie maklik nie en belangrike lesse is geleer, wat ons sal help om verder vorentoe te gaan. Sonder reflektering en deurlopende aanpassings loop ons die risiko dat studente hierdie akademiese jaar verbeur. Dit is iets wat ons ten alle koste wil probeer vermy. Ons is dankbaar dat ons studente hierdie kwartaal met toewyding en deursettingsvermo\u00eb aangepak het en ons wil erkenning gee aan die pogings van studente en dosente om hierdie jaar suksesvol te voltooi. Ons is vas oortuig dat ons hierdie doel kan bereik.<\/p>\n

Ons reaksie op die hoofuitdagings<\/strong>
\nDie Fakulteit Regsgeleerdheid (saam met die betrokke institusionele afdelings) het aansienlike hulpbronne bestee om studente wat tegnologiese toerusting en\/of data benodig, te identifiseer en op te spoor. Ondanks ernstige beperkings op die opstel van skootrekenaars en aflewering daarvan aan studente, is ons vol vertroue dat regstudente in \u0149 goeie posisie is om volledig aan aanlyn onderrig deel te neem.
\nDie Fakulteit het \u0149 klein komitee (bestaande uit die dekaan, vise-dekaan, ons toegewyde studenteko\u00f6rdineerder en die voorsitter en ondervoorsitter van die JV\/S) saamgestel om weekliks te vergader. Ons bespreek dringende aangeleenthede, soos die fasilitering van kommunikasie tussen studente en die fakulteit\/dosente asook die identifisering van areas waarin meer akademiese ondersteuning vir regstudente aangebied moet word. Studente wat akademies \u0149 risiko loop, word individueel deur die ko\u00f6rdineerder gekontak op \u0149 een-tot-een-basis. N\u00e1 die eerste week van onderrig het die studente terugvoering die gemengde leerko\u00f6rdineerder en dosente in staat gestel om aanpassings aan die SUNLearn-modulebladsye aan te bring om deurlopende terugvoering en interaksie aan te moedig. Met die vaardige hulp van die JV\/S is \u0149 opname gedoen oor studente se ervaring van aanlyn leer wat waardevolle insigte gebied het oor drukpunte en aangeleenthede waar die Fakulteit kan help. Sommige van die sake wat studente uitgelig het, is die hantering van die werklading in hierdie nuwe konteks, geestelike welstand, gestruktureerde kommunikasie in regsmodules, ens.
\nDie Fakulteit het met die biblioteek en regsuitgewers saamgewerk om bre\u00ebr toegang tot aanlyn bronne te vergemaklik, wat tot \u0149 groot mate suksesvol was, maar ongelukkig is nog nie elke voorgeskrewe handboek as \u0149 e-boek beskikbaar nie. Studente en dosente het egter innoverend gereageer deur verskillende bronne te raadpleeg en so die gaping te oorbrug.
\nAanlyn (oopboek-) assesserings is \u0149 kans om studente kreatiewe en verrykende leergeleenthede te bied, sowel as \u0149 uitdaging om die voortgesette kwaliteit en integriteit van ons leer en assesserings te verseker. N\u00e1 afloop van die eerste rondte aanlyn assesserings, het die Fakulteit \u0149 reeks interne besprekings met die onderskeie rolspelers gevoer, om te leer uit die aanvanklike toetservaring, ten einde \u0149 gestandaardiseerde assesseringstemplaat van \u201cbeste praktyke\u201d te finaliseer. Hierdie assesseringstemplaat sal in die komende assesseringsrondte in Junie\/Julie ge\u00efmplementeer word.
\nDie Universiteit het ook \u0149 omvattende opleidingsprogram vir dosente bekendgestel om hulself toe te rus met die nuutste vaardighede en kennis oor aanlyn onderrig. Die Fakulteit se wysigings tot die Algemene Kalender om voorsiening te maak vir langer eksamentye vir alle semestermodules in Junie\/Julie-eksamens is deur die Senaat goedgekeur.<\/p>\n

Die skuif na aanlyn onderrig en leer was \u0149 wesenlike aanpassing vir studente sowel as dosente. Ons is egter positief dat ons, ons seile by die wind kan aanpas en die storm kan weerstaan.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ondersteuning aan ons studente<\/strong>
\nOp grond van die terugvoering wat ons ontvang het, beplan ons om regstudente die geleentheid te bied om na te dink oor die veranderinge in hul leerbenadering(s) wat deur aanlyn leer genoodsaak word. Vir hierdie doel het ons met die Sentrum vir Studentevoorligting en -ontwikkeling, spesifiek die Eenheid vir Akademiese Voorligting en Ontwikkeling, kontak gemaak om \u0149 pasgemaakte en doelgerigte webinar voor te berei om studente te help om die sukses van hul leertegnieke tot dusver te evalueer.<\/p>\n

\u201cAanlyn leer as \u0149 regstudent \u2013 voorstelle en terugvoer\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Datum: Woensdag 3 Junie 2020 (verdere besonderhede soos afgekondig)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAanlyn leer as \u0149 regstudent \u2013 paneelbespreking\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Datum: Woensdag 10 Junie 2020 (verdere besonderhede soos afgekondig)<\/em><\/p>\n

Law101 SUNLearn module<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

\u0149 Algemene waarneming, byvoorbeeld, is dat baie studente probeer om die klank-opnames\/potgooie\/lesings oor te skryf in plaas daarvan om dit as \u0149 plaasvervanger vir \u0149 lesing te gebruik. Die klankopnames is \u00e9\u00e9n van verskeie insette (insluitend voorgeskrewe leeswerk) om die leeruitkomste van \u0149 module te bereik. Dit is belangrik dat studente van hierdie geleentheid gebruik maak! Die enigste sekerheid op die oomblik is dat alles vinnig en voortdurend verander \u2013 dosente moet ook nadink oor hul onderrigbenadering en -styl om aan te pas en deurlopend webinars volg oor verskillende onderwerpe wat verband hou met onderrig en assessering.<\/p>\n

Alle geskeduleerde tutoriale duur voort en ons verwelkom terugvoering en voorstelle vir alternatiewe of addisionele leerbetrokkenhede. Alle dosente is beskikbaar vir konsultasie en waardeer die insette en aanbevelings wat deur studente gestuur is. Dit is belangrik vir studente om te besef dat die aanpassing sowel as die hersiening van die aanlyn ervaring slegs gedoen kan word in gevalle waar die dosent(e) bewus gemaak word van enige probleme of uitdagings. Daarom word alle regstudente aangemoedig om met hul dosente in hierdie verband te kommunikeer. Studente word ook herinner aan hul klasverteenwoordiger, sou hulle verkies om van hierdie kommunikasiekanaal gebruik te maak.
\nOns moedig studente aan om terugvoering aan die JV\/S te gee sodat die Fakulteit proaktief sake van wedersydse belang kan hanteer.
\nRaadpleeg die nuttige bronne wat ontwikkel en opgelaai is op http:\/\/www.sun.ac.za\/english\/learning-teaching\/student-affairs\/cscd\/Pages\/Guidance-for-Student-Online-Learning.aspx<\/a>, en sorg dat u die Law101 SUNLearn-bladsy gereeld nagaan. Onthou dat alle voorligtings- en akademiese ontwikkelingsdienste voortgaan en moet nie huiwer om daarna uit te reik nie https:\/\/www.sun.ac.za\/english\/learning-teaching\/student-affairs\/cscd.<\/a><\/p>\n

Boodskap van bemoediging<\/strong>
\nKunsmatige intelligensie bied aan masjiene die vermo\u00eb om \u201caan te pas in veranderende situasies met ho\u00eb presisie, akkuraatheid en spoed\u201d as gevolg van die insigte wat die omgewing en groot datastelsels bied. Mense is nie masjiene nie en ons benodig emosionele intelligensie, motivering, ondersteuning en \u0149 oop gemoed om aan te pas en onsself in veranderde kontekste te vind. Jou vermo\u00eb om aan te pas, word uitgestrek en hoewel dit jou deursettingsvermo\u00eb toets, sal dit ongetwyfeld tot jou lewensukses bydra.
\nVolhard, hou aan en glo asseblief in jouself. Reik uit na jou ondersteuningstelsel, insluitend familie en vriende. Maak \u0149
\ndoelbewuste besluit om moeite te doen met jou mederegstudente, waarvan baie waarskynlik die nuwe aanlyn omgewing op dieselfde manier as jy beleef. Gebruik hierdie geleentheid as \u0149 manier om \u0149 idee te kry van waar jou begrip in
\nverhouding tot jou vriende s\u0149 is \u2013 en werk waar moontlik saam, om die aanpassing tot die aanlyn leerparadigma te vergemaklik. Ons sien onsself ook as deel van jou ondersteuningstelsel en glo dat julle hierdie akademiese jaar suksesvol kan voltooi.
\nDie eerste en tweede eksamengeleenthede, soos geskeduleer vir Junie en Julie, sal volgens die voorafgaande kommunikasie aanlyn wees. Sodra meer duidelikheid oor COVID-19 en die implikasies daarvan vir die tweede semester van 2020 beskikbaar is, sal ons jou in kennis stel.<\/p>\n

Vriendelike groete<\/p>\n

Prof Nicola Smit, Dekaan<\/p>\n

Prof Richard Stevens, Vise-Dekaan<\/p>\n

Klankgreep<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

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