Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at VCUarts Qatar, Dr. Cherif Amor
Doha: The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the education system, giving rise to the use of e-learning platforms, which has become necessary in preventing the spread of the virus.
As education systems worldwide continue to adjust to online learning in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Education Development Institute has launched a platform that enables school teachers from across the country to work together using the digital sphere to improve student outcomes.
Branch campuses of QF were among the first institutions to adopt this sudden shift away from the classroom.
Academics at QF’s Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ) and Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) shared their thoughts and experience about remote learning.
Remote learning has not been incredibly tricky, technology-wise at Texas A&M University at Qatar.
“At TAMUQ, the Center for Teaching and Learning together with IT’s Educational Technology unit, worked separately and together to support faculty members. Jointly offered sessions included options for online assessment and using Zoom to teach online effectively,” said Executive Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, at TAMUQ, Dr. Ashfaq Bengali.
Dr. Ashfaq Bengali
However, this model was accompanied by challenges that students and faculty faced, such as the difference in time zones, communication with students, and conducting lab experiments online.
“Our faculty and teaching staff have worked diligently over the summer to provide virtual laboratory options to ensure that student learning continues,” said Dr. Bengali.
Student mental health was another vital issue that TAMUQ has looked into and assured support when required. At present TAMUQ has adopted the ‘Blended Learning’ model in which students will be allowed to attend classes and labs in person if they choose.
During the remote work phase, VCUarts Qatar hosted various webinars to address factors affecting well-being. At the same time, additional counseling sessions were provided to assist students, employees, and their families dealing with difficulties during this pandemic.
“Supporting students remotely during these challenging times and uncovering innovative facets of the student experience has been a critical priority for the university.
"To enhance students’ online engagement, VCUarts Qatar has increased its use of virtual outreach tools. We also created a strong and reassuring presence on social media platforms,” said Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at VCUarts Qatar, Dr. Cherif Amor.
Several online programs were facilitated to support our students while they were away from campus - including a weekly virtual Karak hour that provided socializing and peer support and online counselling and a weekly meditation experience provided by our counselling services team.
Meanwhile, the academics team created virtual instructional guidelines in the form of a supplement to syllabus terms, i.e., office hours, privacy while online, attendance of virtual experiences, participation, and students’ engagement to assist students (and faculty) in understanding the parameters and expectations of online learning.
“The establishment of a Teaching Lab, created by faculty to curate and disseminate resources about the virtual/hybrid mode of instruction, ensures that our academic staff have the resources, inspiration and guidance needed to provide the best support to all students during a period of virtual learning,” said Dr. Amor.
