MOUNT Gambier’s University of South Australia campus will transfer face-to-face teaching to online delivery in response to the COVID-19 health pandemic sweeping the globe.
All timetabled teaching including lectures, workshops, master classes or seminars will begin transitioning online from this Monday.
The changes – which will affect hundreds of students in Mount Gambier – are expected to stay in place until Monday, June 29.
The news filtered across the busy Mount Gambier campus yesterday as students started to grapple with the changes.
UniSA regional manager Ian McKay said the university had been proactive to ensuring it had alternative arrangements to support the education programs of students.
“Most importantly we are working to ensure the safety and well being of our students and our staff,” Mr McKay said at the campus yesterday.
UniSA vice chancellor and president Professor David Lloyd said all UniSA online programs and other existing online and external offerings would be offered as normal.
“All currently timetabled face-to-face tutorials will move to online provision via Zoom or equivalent, targeting full transition to online tutorials in all instances by March 30,” Prof Lloyd said.
“As tutorials transition from face-to-face mode to wholly online, tutorial rooms will be set up to ensure appropriate social distancing,” Prof Lloyd said.
“That is, at least 1.5 metres between all participants. All attendees at face-to-face tutorials during this time should be encouraged to practice good hygiene.”
But timetabled practicals, laboratories and studios will continue to be delivered on campus.
“These activities will be re-organised to ensure at least 1.5 metres is maintained between all participants. Participants should be encouraged to practice good hygiene. Group work, including working in pairs, will not be permitted,” prominent academic said.
“I recognise and regret these measures will impact on your day-to-day education and research experiences in UniSA during this period of health crisis management,” he said.
“I want to reiterate these interventions are based on current health advice and are made with the best interests of our entire community and its well-being.”
He foreshadowed the move to online learning would create some initial rough edges, with transitions in some courses easier than others.
“I am also asking for your continued patience as we work through this unprecedented scenario,” Prof Lloyd said.
Course coordinators will contact all students enrolled in their courses, to update them on accessing online content from next week.
“As always, I reiterate the current public health advice – if you are feeling unwell, please do not attend at the university until fully recovered, seek the appropriate medical advice as required and act to minimise the risk of infection for others.”
The university will also postpone all graduation ceremonies scheduled for April and May in all locations, including Mount Gambier.
International and domestic travel have also been suspended along with public events until further notice.
