Supporting Rapid Transition to Online Teaching and Learning at AKU During COVID-19
In response to COVID-19 pandemic that has led to suspension of on-campus teaching, the Network of Quality, Teaching and Learning (QTL_ net) has developed the following support system to help AKU faculty members move to online learning in a short time.
Support for Faculty Members
Workshop on “Teaching in a Virtual Classroom: Live Online Learning via Zoom” to enable faculty to design and teach interactive online sessions via Zoom
Workshops on Using Virtual Learning Environment for teaching and learning
One-to-one meetings with the faculty member and programme leaders to address their specific needs
Online EdTech Lounge to enable sharing of experiences and good practices
Training of VLE Assistants
As a part of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) project (2017- 2019) we have trained VLE Assistants (n=17) in Karachi and East Africa to provide support for creating course sites on the VLE. Some VLE assistants have also been trained to help faculty members use Zoom for interactive online teaching. BDL will be running sessions for the VLE assistants to strengthen their knowledge and skills further and prepare them for a rapid transition to online learning, based on principles of good online teaching.
Support for Students
VLE assistants are being trained to offer appropriate guidance and support to the students.
Resources
A ‘
Decision Grid’ has been designed to help programme leaders and faculty to plan for online learning.
Guides have been developed and curated to help in the rapid transition from F2F teaching to online teaching.
Collaboration with Other Support Entities
We are collaborating closely with IT and Library for online learning, for example through knowledge and resource sharing and supporting activities together.
The above measures will enable faculty members to continue the teaching and learning process despite the disruption.
For more information on QTL_ net’s plan to support online learning, contact:
azra.naseem@aku.edu
