VIEWS & OPINION Online provisions can
ensure education continues Comment by JACQUELINE DANIELL, CEO of Wey Education
Great Britain and the rest of the world are currently operating in completely unchartered territory. Our Prime Minister has called the COVID-19 outbreak the “worst public health crisis for a generation”, and it has led to the Government introducing unprecedented measures in an attempt to prevent any further spread of the virus. These measures are affecting our lives in ways many of us could never have imagined. The closure of schools since 20 March, except for children of key workers and vulnerable children, has led to many parents becoming overnight teachers and students becoming online learners. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has ensured young people and
schools that no child will be “unfairly penalised”, and all students “will get recognition” for all their hard work and endeavours. Therefore, whilst schools remain closed, and students at home, it is essential that young people remain able to receive an education with as little disruption as possible. In answer to this many schools have turned to online education, and while it may not appear to be an easy transition, with the right levels of guidance and support, there is no reason why staff and students alike
cannot continue to thrive. Maintaining high levels of communication is essential for both students
and staff. It is possible to start to feel isolated if you have been used to the presence of co-workers down the hall, or pupils across the classroom. Therefore, it is vital staff regularly update one another and share their best practice. Likewise, students can do the same. Some pupils may experience some initial anxiety moving away from the traditional day-to-day routine of travelling to school, the logistics of moving around the building from lesson to lesson and then later taking part in local leisure pursuits, to being at their laptop or tablet, studying online and socialising in a virtual environment. It’s important for students to collaborate – with teachers and peers – and reassure one another that the same processes and activities can take place, just through a different medium. A lot of the positive feedback we get from our students revolves
around the flexibility and accessibility that online learning provides them. However, at the same time, having a routine and structure can be just
as important. Many families will find a routine enables them to remain focused throughout the day. Virtual learning environments can be treated just like any other educational setting, given that really all the edtech resources required are accessible for both teachers and students alike. Additionally, when studying or working at home mindset can play a vital role. Embracing technology with confidence can really help to internalise the skills required to quickly overcome any barriers that might be first encountered due to unfamiliarity. As I alluded to earlier, we are currently in a time of uncertainty where
comfort comes from working together. Schools find themselves in a unique position, however in difficult times we must look for opportunities. Discovering the value and capability of online learning can really be that opportunity.
Implementing contingency plans on campus to maintain
services Comment by JAN CAPPER, CEO of College and University Business Officers (CUBO)
We are working in uncharted territories right now, in the most challenging times and adverse conditions that college and university campus services professionals have ever had to face. Residence life, catering and security teams
are all at the frontline, looking to ensure that students remaining on campus are safe, fed, and in good mental health. Since universities moved to online tuition and closed libraries and other facilities, many international students have been unable to return home due to flight cancellations and border closures. As per latest Government’ advice, they will remain in student accommodation, along with others who for various reasons have not left. University is in effect their year- round home. This places significant pressure on the wellbeing of those students and
the teams who are looking after them, as staff step back from face-to- face contact to ensure social distancing at the very time students are most vulnerable and looking for reassurance. And when it comes to operational procedures, ‘one size does not fit all’... If we consider the plight of students self-isolating in halls, those halls
may be catered or self-catered and rooms may be ‘ensuite’ or ‘non- ensuite’. Every scenario needs to be thought through from a Covid-19
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health and safety perspective, including delivery of food, essential shopping, cleaning and waste removal. Contingency plans are being implemented fast, as universities share and
learn from each other via online forums like CUBO’s. Some of the changes that we are seeing now include:
• The provision of meals to students in catered halls in a managed way that includes social distancing. This includes ‘take-away’, food packages and a deliver meal service.
• Staff redeployment - with on-line learning and training to help train staff in areas where they don’t normally work, in a bid to maintain the right levels of frontline cover and cover those off sick or in high-risk groups.
• The management of commercial contracts - clarity around cancellation charges and the application of insurance and force majeure clauses.
As to the future, universities are expecting tough times ahead, with the biggest concern that the next academic year intake will remain for some time unknown. The long term impact on international students in particular could be significant. Normally, universities would be planning their new student intake for
the coming year. Instead they are faced with the possibility of housing existing students who may not be able to leave due to restrictions still in place or visa expiry. They would also now be gearing up for their commercial summer
business – conferences and summer schools that deliver important revenue to most institutions. We are hearing that most conferences are postponing rather than cancelling, but whether the companies and industries concerned will be in an economic position to run these events in 2021 is far from clear. Throughout this difficult period, the campus services continue, with our
key workers – cleaners, security, caterers, residence life teams, accommodation staff, campus convenience stores and others - still working to give students every support possible. Some student accommodation is being prepared for our amazing NHS staff. Another group of heroes are the frontline staff in student and other residential accommodation, working hard to respond to a unique situation as it evolves on a daily basis.
April 2020
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