This update is provided for archival purposes only.

Public Health guidance and University of Waterloo operations may have changed. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our COVID-19 frequently asked questions.

Engineering update: Important updates for instructors (W2020 and S2020)

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

This message was originally sent to instructors in the Faculty of Engineering by Daniel Davison, associate dean, undergraduate studies.


W2020 teaching updates

  • If you are aware of any students who are not enrolled in your course but who were planning to write your final exam (typically as a supp exam or to clear an INC), please communicate with those students or talk to your associate chair/director to ensure those students know exactly what is happening. This is especially important if you no longer have a final exam in your course this term!
  • FYI, yesterday Senate approved a new twist on W2020 grades:  after grades are released at the end of term, students will be able to convert individual numeric grades into CR/NCR grades. Instructors are not involved with this process, but you should be aware that students are now able to do this. The exact process is being worked out by the Registrar's Office. This new twist does not affect our strong encouragement to instructors to submit numeric grades for their courses if at all possible.
  • FYI, all Faculties are modifying promotion rules (for W2020 only) to accommodate CR/NCR grades. It's unclear what the full approval process will be, given there is no time to go through the normal process (FOPS/FUGS/EFC/SUC/Senate).


S2020 teaching updates

  • You should have received an email from the Registrar yesterday explaining that S2020, as on-line term, will have no schedules.  (Search for the email with subject line "Extended deadline for Spring offer decisions to March 30".)
  • No schedules???  This might sound crazy, but it makes sense. The memo explains the rationale. It took me a while to "get it". Basically, our students are now all over the globe, with various levels of internet accessibility, and we can no longer assume they are able to show up in a classroom (physical or virtual) at a given hour.  So instead of being a scheduled-based term, as we normally are, it will be a totally open term, and instructors will instead use assignment deadlines and/or quizzes/tests as the only scheduled events. But even quizzes/tests must be flexible because students may not be able to access a quiz or test at a certain hour. This is truly a new way of thinking. For those familiar with our WatPD courses, think of how they are run.  

Example:  For my S2020 course, I'm planning to go from 1 midterm + 1 final to 6 tests instead, every 2nd week, to help keep students on pace.  And I was scheduled for two 80-minute lectures per week, but because we no longer will have a schedule, I'm going to instead prepare three 45-minute pre-recorded lectures (each with a few breaks embedded) per week, which I think is easier for students to absorb. Students can watch the videos whenever they want during the week. And we're going to convert the lab into a simulation lab, with several deadlines throughout the term.  I won't be having a final exam. I don't plan on having any "live" sessions in the course because that sounds really stressful and l can picture 100 things going wrong.

  • If you want to try to arrange a time when your class can synchronously meet (i.e., a "live" session), try polling your class at the start of term to find out if there is any time that works. Even if you arrange such a time, please record any on-line sessions because some students may not be able to attend due to extenuating circumstances associated with the pandemic. Some students are in dire situations.
  • A good list of technologies that you may consider using is at https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-tips/by-category/151. Remember that the most important advice to anyone starting to teach on line is to keep it simple. In an earlier email I sent out a bunch of other tips that I find useful (search your email for "Keep the technology simple!").

Peace to you all.