Tuesday, November 17, 2020

University announces changes to winter 2021 schedule

The University's Senate has approved changes to the academic schedule of the upcoming winter term.

"I know that you have all been working extremely hard this term, and that the additional stress and uncertainty caused by the pandemic may be taking a toll on the mental wellbeing of our students and employees," President Feridun Hamdullahpur wrote in a memo circulated to the University community yesterday evening. "After consulting with groups across campus, we have decided to make some updates to the winter 2021 term academic schedule:

• We will be delaying the start of winter term classes until January 11. All other winter term activities (such as co-op work terms) and regular operations for employees will begin as usual on January 4.
• Classes will be cancelled on Monday, March 15 and Tuesday, March 16 to create a four-day weekend for students from March 13 to 16. March 15 and 16 will be normal work days for employees.
• Reading week will continue as planned from February 13 to 21.

"We hope that these scheduled pauses provide some much-needed relief to students, and to course instructors as well," the president writes. "The Keep Learning team will provide guidance to help course instructors with scheduling assessments around the adjusted term schedule. Additionally, all employees will receive two days off, outside of their regular vacation allotment, to be used between January and April. You can work with your manager to schedule these days."

"We are still confirming some details and will announce more information about how these schedule changes will work as we move closer to the winter term, Hamdullahpur writes. "Please remember to take care of yourselves and each other as we continue into the term, and that help is available if you need it. Thank you again for your continued work to support our students and keep the University running."

Have you signed up for UWinterloo yet?

A message from the International Student Experience team.

Since registration for UWinterloo opened in early November, approximately 250 international students from within Canada and abroad have signed up. This level of participation is wonderful, and we hope to match these students with a Waterloo Warrior like you. 

Whether you are a staff, faculty member, alumni or Canadian student, volunteer to help an international student feel more connected to campus.

Reflections on Renison's Arabic online offerings

By Melanie Misanchuk, Ph.D, Centre for Extended Learning.

In September 2017, Renison University College launched the first online Arabic course in Canada: ARABIC 101R. The department has since developed three more successful online language courses (102R, 201R, and 202R) as well as SI 131R (Arab Culture, which is taught in English).

The big instructional challenge in the first course was to teach students how to write and join Arabic letters; video demonstrations could show students what to do, but giving them meaningful practice and evaluation was a challenge and the course designers eventually settled on having students submit photographs and even videos of themselves forming the letters, for grading. In subsequent courses, students learn how to type in Arabic, and the ongoing challenge—as is the case in all language courses, online or otherwise—is how to get students to practice their listening and speaking. In the classroom, the teacher can walk around the room and listen in on pairs who are practicing exercises, but this is more difficult in an asynchronous online course. The designers addressed this by creating discussion boards where students would post audio clips of questions, and their classmates would listen to the clips and answer verbally, posting their own audio clips. While not as seamless or efficient as a face-to-face dialogue, it does allow students to interact with many topics and different classmates.

The oral proficiency aspect of the language courses is also addressed by two oral exams; these are conducted using Skype or another video conferencing tool, so that instructors can measure the students’ fluency in the language. Because these courses were developed before the University of Waterloo purchased a license to Bongo, the oral interactions use Learn and other tools, but we anticipate soon integrating tools such as Video Assignment, Virtual Classroom, and Question and Answer to support oral and aural language skills. 

Asma Ghanem, the instructor of ARABIC 101R and 102R says, “By the end of the courses, the online students are able to meet all the course objectives equally to the in-class students. For example, in my 101 online class, the students are able to speak with simple but sufficient language in several real-life situations such as greetings and introducing a third person. In the 102 course, the students become more confident in communicating in Arabic in various and more complex life situations such as: speaking about the weather, describing what they need and what they want to others, etc.”

Arab Culture (SI 131R) is taught in English and allows students to gain in-depth knowledge about culture across the Arab world. The numerous assignments challenge students to really engage with both the material and each other throughout the 12 weeks, as well as the community around them (one assignment has students finding an Arabic speaker to interview). Every week, students have discussion topics to address as well as a critique of a reading or video to submit.

Dr. Amir Al-Azraki, author of the Arabic courses and the coordinator of Studies in Islamic and Arab Cultures, says that the online Arabic language program “provides students with a profound understanding of the Arabic language and culture. The program is offered at introductory and intermediate levels (and possibly advanced levels in the future) and teaches students to develop an extensive vocabulary in Modern Standard Arabic.”

Asma reiterates: “The students who want to study Arabic for religious purposes or for work and cannot come to the class to attend the courses, find the online courses as a great opportunity. Most of these students have a big motivation to learn Arabic, however, they have never given the chance to the face-to-face style of education. Many of them contact me with gratitude for the making these courses offered online.”

By their completion of the program, students should be able to demonstrate overall mastery of the Arabic verbal and grammatical systems, and be able to read, write and speak with intermediate proficiency on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Scale, says Dr. Al-Azraki. Students in the program can earn an Arabic Language Competency Certificate, which can be used as a credit towards the University of Waterloo’s Global Experience Certificate.

“In addition to linguistic proficiency, students will also obtain cultural proficiency, and should be able to identify and explain aspects of Arab culture and history,” says Dr. Al-Azraki. “They will be able to engage in culturally competent interactions with diverse Arabic speaking peoples, and utilize various forms of Arabic media, including reading Arabic literature and making professional presentations that will help them both in and outside of academia.”

Future students checked Waterloo out virtually this month

A message from Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment.

On November 7, professors, students, and staff from across the University connected with prospective students during the Waterloo Virtual Open House (WVOH).

Hosted by Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment, WVOH was developed to replace the in-person Fall Open House which typically takes place each year. The virtual event featured live information sessions, 1:1 chats, digital downloads, and video Q&As with students and professors.

Over 6,800 people registered to attend from around the world, and 3,293 checked in on event day. Hundreds more continue to log in to watch the recorded presentations since the event has concluded.

Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment continues to offer a range of virtual offerings for prospective students. If you know a Grade 12 student interested in applying, encourage them to visit our tours and events website to learn more and to register for an upcoming offering.

Special thanks to our campus recruitment colleagues and partners who have supported our new and ongoing undergraduate recruitment initiatives.

Directives against DIY air filters and other notes

A note from Plant Operations is encouraging the campus community to breathe easy—literally.

"Every day we hear about new cases of COVID-19, and at the same time we are learning about possible exposure to COVID-19 through the air around us, writes Stepanka Elias, executive director, facilities. "It is therefore not surprising that some people are feeling uncomfortable." 

"A few have taken matters into their own hands, and modified their office or lab's HVAC supply. Please do not tape filters on your air supply," Elias writes. "It does not help. In fact, it will decrease the quality of the air around you. How? The HVAC systems in our buildings have two functions: 1) provide air that is clean, and 2) provide sufficient amount of it. The installation of any filter medium (cloth, paper towels, vacuum bags, etc.) will reduce the amount of air supplied to your workspace thus exposing yourself to biological materials from you and your colleagues as you breathe, talk, or perspire."

"At the University of Waterloo, we are proud to provide avhealthy learning and research environment for all our faculty, students and staff. Staff in the Central Plant work 24/7 ensuring that all HVAC units are operational and work in accordance with the latest industry standards BAS protocol developed for the campus."

"If you have any concerns about the operation of your building and the HVAC system, please send an email to pltops.maintenance@uwaterloo.ca and our staff will be happy to assist."

The latest in the music department's Noon Hour Concert series will take place on Wednesday, November 18 at 12:30 p.m. Mozart & Chopin, a Hunt & a Mermaide will feature renowned local pianist Heidi Wall performing Mozart's D Major piano sonata K. 576 and Chopin's Third Ballade in A-Flat Major. The online concert will be released online on November 18 and will remain on Conrad Grebel University College's YouTube channel.

The Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) is hosting a virtual workshop featuring speakers from five countries. The International Workshop on Nanotechnology for a Sustainable Future will take place on Thursday, November 19 and Friday, November 20, online via WebEx.