51Âþ»­

March 18

Dear students;

Since our last update yesterday, we have been working to further establish how our new model of online teaching is to work.

I understand how frustrating the situation is for you: there are a lot of uncertainties and you will all have questions you want answered as soon as possible.

I want to assure you that we are all working as hard as we can to get you these answers as frequently and as fully  as we can.

Today, I can update on a few new measures:

LinkedIn Learning

There have been some positive developments, not the least of which is that we are making access to LinkedIn Learning available as soon as possible. LinkedIn Learning provides access to a huge range of video tutorials supporting learning in software, creative and business skills etc.  It will be available to all 51Âþ»­ students. There are over 15,000 courses supporting learning in software, creative and business skills, access is personalised and through your 51Âþ»­ login. It can keep track of your course history and recent activity, you can download content to watch offline too. Information available here

We are also acutely aware that the spread of coronavirus follows weeks of interruption caused by industrial action by some staff. I know how difficult this combination of events is making your study and that’s why we are doing everything we can to mitigate the impact these events will have, including adjusting deadlines. Information will be uploaded to Blackboard as soon as it is available.

I know that the closure of some labs and workshops yesterday has caused a lot of stress and anxiety.  We will make sure that no student is disadvantaged in any way by what has happened and continues to happen. I will work with staff to ensure that the impact on your learning and your assessments is fully taken into account, since these are events which are out of your control.  It is our imperative to ensure you are able to complete your studies to the best of your ability.

We are continuing to update our new microsite for COVID-19 information – this is now our main source of information and policy about the situation. Today we have updated the site with more detailed building opening times and have plans to add specific FAQs for postgraduate students and more as the week progresses.

We ask you to view this site as the primary source for all COVID-19 updates and guidance and visit it first with any question.

Every student’s circumstance is different so you may find our answers do not exactly address your issue. Just let your personal tutor know and they can work with you to provide you answers.

Finally, I just want to thank you. Considering these unique, challenging circumstances, there is a positive and largely optimistic spirit about how we can continue to work.

As we have said before, we are going to these lengths to ensure you are free to put your health and that of those closest to you, first.

Jackie Labbe

Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic)