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Engineering update: Redesigning course tips to instructors

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

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

Here are today's updates. You heard it here first (or maybe not)...

1. AccessAbility: The attached long memo from David DeVidi and Jeff Cassello, issued today, addresses many issues that are not new. The main new item concerns AccessAbility (see the memo for details):

  • AccessAbility is no longer offering in-person exams this term.
  • Instructors with any AccessAbility students can review their students' accommodations. Extra time for exams if likely the only one of interest.
  • Instructors should add the appropriate time to their exams. The memo suggests an easier solution is to give everyone extra time, but watch out for time conflicts during the exam period.

2. Online teaching technology: The CTE webpage now gives a much more comprehensive listing of technologies. See https://uwaterloo.ca/keep-learning/ and specifically the link https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-tips/by-category/151

3. Dealing with time zones: Earlier it was thought that not many students would be in very different time zones, but it looks like many will be. If at all possible, please try to accommodate such students in any on-line testing. Consider allowing a 12-hour window to write the exam. In the worst case, if accommodation isn't possible, and the student refuses to write a 2am exam, please use an INC grade instead of a DNW grade.  

4. Supp exams: I've been getting many emails about students who are entitled to write supp exams this term. If the on-line version of the course has an exam, and the student is fine writing it, I think everything proceeds as usual. If the on-line version of the course does not include an exam, then there can be no supp exam, and the program should automatically extend the supp deadline appropriately. If the student doesn't want to write the on-line version of the exam, I think it's also reasonable to extend the supp exam appropriately. If the student is in 4B, and the course doesn't have a final exam, I encourage programs to try to find an instructor who can create a remote exam (maybe orally) for the student. I may at some point hear more about how to handle supps from higher up.

5. Off-campus meetings with students: These are not allowed. Apparently some instructor on campus tried to get around the "no in-person classes" rule by telling students to meet at their house! Ontario is in a state of emergency, and in-person contact should be minimized.    

This is no joke. I just found out my uncle caught the virus flying into Toronto a few days ago.