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: W2020 and S2020 tips and reminders

Monday, March 30, 2020

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


Some of the following items are new while others are old friends that are coming back as reminders ...

(a) W2020 INC grades: This is a reminder to please minimize the use of INC grades this term.  They will be especially challenging to deal with because of the unique nature of courses this term and uncertainty in upcoming terms. A student might prefer a low but passing grade (e.g., 55%) that they can convert to CR instead of an INC grade that might be difficult to clear up.

(b) W2020 record keeping: Please retain a record of the contingency plans that you adopted this term. There are various reasons why we might have to go back to a W2020 course and determine how grades were calculated.  (Examples:  a student discipline case, a student re-assessment challenge, accreditation, ...) It is fine to simply attach (literally or in softcopy) a copy of the contingency plans to your course outline.

(c)  W2020 tips for online tests/exams:  

  • Run a "dummy" test or exam to work the bugs out of the technology.  I did this in LEARN and found a few surprises(!) which will help me in preparing my actual exam.  
  • Have a back-up plan in case the technology fails.  In my case, I will have several randomized exams prepared as pdf files that I can email to students if they can't get into LEARN on the exam day.

(d) S2020 is an online term: As mentioned many times, S2020 is being run university-wide as an online term without a central schedule. This involves a true mind shift from our familiar schedule-driven thinking. So the bulk of academic activities campus-wide in S2020 should be asynchronous. For those who do want some synchronous activities in their courses:

  • Remember that we cannot assume all students are able to attend any specific activity. They are scattered all over the globe, some have new responsibilities due to the pandemic, some have unreliable internet connections.
  • If you want to schedule the occasional synchronous activity (for those students who are able to attend), poll the class to determine which time works best.  Consider offering the activity twice if that would result in overall higher attendance.  
  • Be sure to record any synchronous activities for the benefit of those who couldn't attend (and possibly those who could attend too).

(e) Tip of the day for online teaching (courtesy of Carol Hulls): If you post recorded lectures and then have students work on assignments, consider using the "release conditions" on LEARN to ensure students can't access the deliverable until they have first accessed the lectures.

(f) Do you have a pressure controller in your lab? A Canadian company is helping to manufacture ventilators and desperately needs some pressure controllers. They are looking for Mensor model CPC6050 or CPP6000 (x6). If you have any that you can spare, please contact me.

(g) Afraid you are losing track of emails? Fear no longer. The university is archiving emails sent out to all instructors: https://uwaterloo.ca/associate-vice-president-academic/covid-19-messages-uwaterloo-instructors-archive

If you have an non-obvious online teaching tip that you think would benefit many, please let me know.