eNews Summer 2020 - Burman Prepares for Fall Semester
A Hybrid Approach
Burman's campus will be open in the fall, but all classes will be taught online. After meeting with faculty, staff, and Student Association officers, Burman University decided to use a hybrid approach for the fall semester of the 2020-21 academic year. Classes will be taught online; students can choose to learn from home or come to campus.
Because of COVID-19, the final weeks of the 2019-2020 academic year moved from face-to-face classes to online instruction. The transition to online classes was abrupt. When the campus closed on March 12, students and faculty scrambled to adapt to adjusted assignments, online delivery, and a modified schedule. Despite challenges, faculty and students successfully completed the semester.
Faculty will not be scrambling during the fall semester of 2020-21. During the spring and summer, all faculty members were required to take two classes dealing with online teaching. Another class was available for those who teach lab courses. Burman acquired many resources that deal with best practice for online education. In addition, faculty members shared suggestions, ideas, books, and articles they had discovered. Clearly, faculty members are working hard to make the comprehensive changes necessary for best-practice online education.
The Information Technology Department, led by Colin Hill, has purchased software and provided tutorials. John McDowell, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, developed a funding proposal for needed equipment; two individuals donated funds that will allow full-time faculty members to have a camera, lights, and a microphone that enhance their online interaction with students.
As one teacher states, “My online classes this fall are going to be dynamite! Students will learn better than ever before!”
Some courses, by their very definition, require activity—courses like choir, weight training, swimming, education practica (student teaching), and science labs. Faculty are in the midst of planning for these courses.
Darren George, Professor of Psychology, Tells about Online Teaching
“When I learned that I could not meet face to face with my students, I had two immediate reactions. First, I wondered how I would teach my classes with no students present—I had never done any form of distance learning before. But a moment later, I was even more concerned for the students. Their world, just as mine, had been completely disrupted—and humans do not respond well to uncertainty.
“The faculty had one week (spring break) to figure out this transition. I had special help from my wife, Elizabeth, a professional speaker and corporate trainer. She coached me on lighting, position, use of graphics while teaching, virtual break-out groups, and more. Teaching online became a positive experience for me.
“I wanted my students to know that learning online could also be positive. They could perform well academically. Despite distance, they would be connected and cared for. And so I "attended" the virtual academic scholarship awards ceremony. After the ceremony I sent an email of warm personal congratulations to each student I knew. I sent comforting, instructive quotes to my students. I sent frequent—almost daily—emails to each of my classes instructing and clarifying. Every student in every class completed every assignment!
“I also cared, and expressed my care by individual emails to students. I sent about five personal emails to each student in the final three or four weeks of the semester—that's over 400 emails! And finally, I expressed care for students in both my synchronous and asynchronous videos.
“Online teaching was a new experience for me, but my students and I were successful. I look forward to similar—or even greater—success in the fall.”
Wendolin Pazitka-Munroe, Professor of Music and Director of the Burman University and PAA Choral Union Shares Plans for Choir
“Choir will be taught online during the fall semester. Music for the choir will be available online and rehearsals will be accessed via Zoom. Some choir members who are on campus will serve as section leaders. We will focus on studying vocal technique, diction, and breath support; learning music; and performing. We’ll endeavour to have one online performance each month and a Christmas concert via live-stream.
“If many choir members are on campus during the fall, we’ll consider having one or two small choral groups that will rehearse and perform within the guidelines for COVID-19. Membership in these groups will be no more than 16 singers.
“This fall we will be delving into new territory for sure! I hope to make our online choir a fun, yet challenging semester of music that will stimulate our souls!”
Joseph Blaney, a third year elementary education major and a member of the Choral Union and Chamber Singers, echoes Dr. Munroe’s enthusiasm: “I am super excited to see what we can accomplish next semester as Burman University's Choral Union goes online!”
Ron Schafer, Associate Professor of Physical Education and Director of the PE Centre, Speaks about Activity Courses
“Weight training and swimming classes will be taught online in the fall. Of course, these classes require practice and participation. If you’re on campus, you’ll schedule time at the Gwen Bader Fitness Centre and at the Burman University swimming pool. If you’re off campus, you’ll need to have access to a local fitness centre or pool where you can complete the requirements.”
Chloe Weir, Chair of the School of Education, Speaks about Education Practica
“Burman University will be on a hybrid system for the fall semester and education students plan to be involved in practica—student teaching—in K-12 schools. All schools in this region are planning for various scenarios as they await directives from Alberta Education. Our involvement in the schools will be determined by advice given by the Ministry of Education. We continue to pray for God's guidance as we plan in this changing time.”
Peter Otieno, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Shares a Statement about Science Labs
“The health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and general Burman community are our highest priority. Laboratory instructions for all biology, biochemistry, chemistry, and physics courses, with laboratory components, will be carried out online.
“To maintain the integrity and continued excellence in our laboratory courses, these exercises will be supplemented with virtual resources like Labster (https://www.labster.com) and others, in addition to faculty-led synchronous demonstrations during the weekly laboratory sessions. Labster will be integrated with Burman’s learning management system, D2L. The students who will be unable to attend the synchronous online laboratory sessions, a recorded version of the laboratory will be available on D2L.
“In some courses, students may be required to collect and document biological specimens in their local environments or may be given data and be required to complete the laboratory write-up (chemistry and physics)."
Burman Campus Will be Ready for the Fall Semester
The fall semester begins on August 31, 2020, and Burman University is committed to having the campus ready for the students who choose to return. Building managers, the Health and Safety Committee, and the Risk Management Committee have been working diligently and collaboratively to achieve this goal.
Each building is carefully scrutinized with guidance provided by Alberta Health Services. Plans are being finalized for screening, distancing, cleaning, personal protective equipment, and responsibilities.
Prior to entering campus, everyone must visit one of the three campus monitoring stations and fill out a questionnaire in front of an assessor. An email is sent out each day, so people can provide information for contact tracing.
Changes have been made in each building to enhance safety. After working at home for several weeks, one staff member returned to her office in the Administration Building and stated, “I was amazed at the changes in the building. Students, staff, faculty, and visitors should be able to keep a safe distance from others and to accomplish their goals.”
Arriving at the Administration Building, you'll notice one-way staircases between the main and upper floors, closure of the chapel and prayer room, signage to maintain 2-meter distancing, minimal seating in common areas, lexan screens in front of service windows, cloth and sanitizing spray for common touch surfaces, and restricted access to offices.
Similar changes to each building on campus will be complete before the fall semester begins. Burman is also making plans for quarantining arrivals as necessary.
COVID protocols are in place at the Physical Education Centre. The Gwen Bader Fitness Centre re-opened on June 16. All the equipment is available for use. Statistics show that patrons are clearly pleased to return to their exercise routines: despite distancing and other COVID protocols, there were more visits June 16-July 16, 2020 than there were during the same time period in 2019. The pool re-opened on June 22. Patrons must book a lane prior to swimming.
All employees are required to take Return to Campus Training to ensure they have the necessary information and skills to work in the new environment.
How Will Students Participate in the “Burman Experience” This Fall?
As Burman looks forward to the fall semester, our goal is to ensure that all students—current and future, those who study remotely and those who return to campus—will participate in the "Burman Experience."
We are committed to providing social and spiritual opportunities for on-campus and off-campus students so everyone can experience these vital components of the Burman community. Our events and other co-curricular programs will also be available online.
We are also committed to provide returning students with a safe environment. As health and government officials announce new protocols, we will respond and continue to ensure that our campus remains safe.
Campus life will be different due to COVID-19 protocols, but Burman is committed to provide the best possible experience for students.
Although no visitors will be allowed in the residence halls, Vege, the campus dining facility will be open. Rather than self-service buffet lines, students will find that they are served by employees.
Spiritual programming (Vespers, Power Up, church, etc…) will be happening in person with physical distancing protocols in place. These programs will also be available online.
Burman Athletics will not participate in league play in the fall of 2020. We will follow government guidelines for reopening the athletic programs. The decision for the Winter semester league play has not yet been determined. Options are available for other activities like the Acronaires who are eligible to be a cohort group. We’re studying if intramurals can be offered under the direction of government protocols.
Monique Scott, 4th year education major, sums up her expectations for the fall semester.
“I realize that it will be different to attend Burman in the fall. Taking classes online won’t be the same as face-to-face, but this is a chance to be flexible, to adapt, to change…to grow. I’m studying to be a teacher, and I know that when teachers present their material to a class—even with the best lesson plan—they’re not always as successful as they’d like to be. And so, to meet the need of their pupils, they change their approach.
“That’s what Burman’s doing. That’s what the whole world is doing. For me, it’s a life lesson.”