Dear colleagues —
As you know, we’ll be going back to online teaching for at least four weeks from 2 March. I know you are working hard to create an online teaching environment for your students. This is not easy, particularly in the limited time, and with the uncertainties of the last few weeks.
Many people, both staff and students, are asking what our expectations are regarding online learning activities. Exactly what form “online teaching” should take will necessarily vary from class to class. However, I think we all have the common understanding that it should be more than simply distributing a powerpoint file to students. For most lecture-based classes, at least at the Undergraduate level, it should be possible to livestream a lecture to students, or record the lecture and place it online. I know that many of you are doing this. It should also be possible to have a period of time that the instructor is available for students to ask questions about the recorded lecture. Online tutorials are perhaps more challenging but many solutions seem to have been found. My understanding is that Departments are coordinating these activities, and I am grateful to them for that.
If your solution for your class differs substantially from this model, I would suggest that you discuss the relevant issues with your Head of Department. We do recognise that one size does not fit all, and not everyone will be able to record their lectures, nor will this be desirable in every case. At the same time, discussion with your Head of Department gives you some cover if students express any concerns that your practices may differ from those of other classes.
Teaching activities are more varied at Taught Postgraduate level so I encourage Programme Directors to check in with teachers in order to enhance consistency.
We are all learning how to deliver online teaching (no-one more than me!), and so I would encourage you to join the online Workshop that we have arranged on Tuesday 25 February, 3pm — a link will be circulated prior to the workshop. For more details on the workshop, please contact Phoebe Kan (phoebeka@hku.hk).
If you have concerns or questions about online teaching in general, please contact your Head of Department, or me directly.
Best wishes
Will