What do the students think about the mixture of remote and on-site teaching this autumn? All students at UiA are being asked about how they experienced the teaching this autumn semester.
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The Covid-19 outbreak this spring resulted in sudden changes in the day-to-day life of every student at UiA.
A large survey was carried out this spring to learn how the students experienced the challenges and consequences of remote teaching and online exams.
“We learned a lot from the response we received, and the survey clearly showed the many challenges connected to exclusively remote teaching. The students missed the social contact with their fellow students and lecturers in particular. That is why, when we planned the autumn semester, we did everything we could to get as much face-to-face teaching as possible, in combination with online teaching”, says Morten Brekke, vice rector for education at UiA.
The coronavirus lockdown this spring was sudden, and everyone had to react very quickly. This autumn, the teachers have had more time to plan and also perfect their own digital competence. The students have also developed their digital skills.
“It is quite possible that the situation is different now. We want the students’ answers on whether we have moved in the right direction digitally and how they rate the quality of teaching this autumn”, says Inger Marie Dalehefte, head of the Department of Education, and responsible for both the previous and current survey.
The current survey distinguishes between those who are new students at UiA this semester and those who went through the spring 2020 lockdown.
“Both student groups receive questions about teaching quality, but they have different starting points for answering the questions. It will be interesting to look at the differences between the two groups in how they perceive the quality of this semester’s teaching”, says Dalehefte.
In the survey, the students are asked what types of online learning they have participated in, and how they experienced the quality, usefulness and relevance of the teaching. They are also asked about their access to information, IT support and resources in connection with Covid-19, and to what extent they felt they received enough information about changes to their courses.
Finally, there are questions about interaction with others, social contact, the balance between studies and personal life, and how the students feel they are coping.
It is important not to confuse this survey with the Student Survey, which is a national survey for all students in their second and fifth year of study.
“Our survey is for all students at our university and specially developed for UiA. Both surveys are important, and we hope everyone takes the time to respond to both”, says Dalehefte.
“By filling out the questionnaire, you can help us learn more about what works well from our side, but also how we can do better to meet the needs that have arisen during this crisis. Moreover, your participation implies that you agree to contribute to research on online teaching in connection with the coronavirus situation, which can be useful for the entire sector”, says Brekke.
The survey is anonymous and takes about five to ten minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, but UiA hopes as many as possible will respond before the survey closes on 30 November.
The questionnaire has been developed by the Department of Education and UiA’s IT division, but the University of Stavanger and the University of Bamberg in Germany have also used this mapping tool.