20.03.2020
Dr. Tatyana Belyaeva, Head of the Department of Informatization and Information Technologies of RSUH, spoke about how distance learning is implemented at the University.
Dr. Tatyana Belyaeva, Head of the Department of Informatization and Information Technologies of RSUH, spoke about how distance learning is implemented at the University.
- Can teachers get advice on teleworking with students?
All computer classes, located on the 5th floor of the 6th building, are now modified for video conferencing. Every day at 11.00 there are group classes in groups of up to 12 people, whom we teach Zoom and Discord. Those who work from home, need to come with their own equipment. Our employees help set up the equipment, and answer any questions. Each lesson lasts 1.5 - 2 hours, and the teachers leave with a thorough understanding of what they are to do.
You can also be consulted in Office 521, by Dr. Leda Sysoeva. She and her staff help organize communication with students. For instance, teachers can place an announcement about the form in which they plan to conduct a lesson – via a video conference or asynchronously, through uploading of materials, or in any other way. All options are available.
It is very important that the teachers understand the entire cycle of work, from the moment of posting information about a webinar, to conducting interactive seminars and saving video lectures, as well as planning them in accordance with the schedule.
- What technology is used for this?
There are several kinds. If you need to stream lectures for a 100 people or more, we will organize a YouTube broadcast with a recording option. There is a room equipped with technology for holding video conferences, with good cameras, there we show presentations, etc., and many teachers use this. If you plan to teach fewer than 100 people, you’d want to use Zoom. Its developers kindly removed the 40-minute restriction, so lectures can be read uninterruptedly. So far there have been no problems, although we have broadcasted simultaneously from 30 places.
A teacher who wants to record his lecture can also contact Dr. Natalia Berezina at the Center for Distance Learning Technologies,.
So far we have equipped 26 rooms, we can potentially broadcast from another 10, and it seems to be enough, as 5-6 rooms are usually empty.
- What equipment will the students need?
When it comes to video conferencing, just a smartphone is enough. Strictly speaking, all you need is a computer device with headphones if the teacher does not expect feedback. As a rule, students use Zoom; it allows a large number of people to connect simultaneously. You can download it, it’s only 35 megabytes, easy to configure, and the registration is not necessary for listeners. For the host of the conference the process is a little more complicated: you need to create a conference, schedule a time, invite participants, etc., but it all works fairly intuitively.
- Are there any snags at the moment?
The main problem lies in providing information to a large number of students. Not all of them can connect and watch the streaming lectures designed for more than a hundred people. Not everything is up to snuff, and many academic schedule have gone slightly awry, but this is pretty much all there is. A lot of work falls on the Department of Educational and Methodology and the Deans. I would like the students, for their part, to also be active, and contact teachers and their Deans’ offices.
The issue of communication “teacher - student” is felt especially acute in those groups whose classes are just beginning. If the teacher has already seen the group, he has the students' contacts. But when the module is about to begin, the teacher is often at a loss. Moreover, so far not all students have checked their RSUH accounts.
- The dates of the final exam periods are shifting. Is it possible to take these tests remotely if the distance learning period is extended after April 1?
This question is best addressed to Dr. Ivan Kossov, Head of the Department of Education and Methodology. As far as I know, a decision has already been made that State Final Exams can be taken remotely. But everything is decided on an individual basis. If extramural students have already arrived, we try to organize the most complete communication with teachers in real time or otherwise. The good news is that teachers take a responsible approach to this, and they not only upload the programs, but do everything to transfer knowledge in all possible ways.