Sunday, 15 March, 2020
Arrangements for Online Teaching of the Non-lab Courses | Plans for the Practicum and the Lab and Studio Courses
(For all students except Medical students who will receive information from their course administrators depending on their year of study in the MD and MBBS programmes)
Dear Students
We would like to thank you once more for your understanding, flexibility and cooperation in embarking in online learning during this extraordinary situation. Your health is our highest priority so please ensure that you take very good care of yourself, your family and others. Please refer to the University’s latest announcements regarding health-related issues at www.unic.ac.cy/coronavirus.
Based on the latest directive of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport announced on Friday, 13th March 2020, the restrictions on the activities of all educational institutions in Cyprus will be extended to Friday, 10th of April 2020. Given that the following week after the 10th April is the Orthodox Easter Week, it is safe to assume that, unless the situation changes, we will not resume on-campus student activities before Wednesday, 22nd of April 2020 at the earliest. As already announced, the University is moving to online teaching as of Monday 16/3/2020.
1. Arrangements for Online Teaching for Non-lab Courses
The following information aims to enable you to move forward smoothly into the new learning environment. Please be patient and understanding. Your lecturer in each online course will be guiding you to familiarize yourself with the learning process and the online learning material.
a. Online Student Training Sessions Monday 16th March 2020
You should attend online one of the following University online training sessions:
10:00 – 12:00 (in English) – Prof Panayiotis Angelides, Gregoris Vishnumolakala
13:00 – 15:00 (in Greek) – Prof Panayiotis Angelides, Neophyta Paphiti, Yiannis Kargarotos
16:00 – 18:00 (in English) – Prof Panayiotis Angelides, Gregoris Vishnumolakala
19:00 – 21:00 (in Greek) – Prof Panayiotis Angelides, Neophyta Paphiti, Yiannis Kargarotos
During the online session you will learn how online classes are run and how you can attend videoconferences and study online. Furthermore, you will be able to ask various questions related to the online learning process, as well as questions of academic nature. Once you complete this training session, you will be able to smoothly adjust to the online learning process.
To join one of the sessions please click on https://www.youtube.com/user/UNicDL
b. Online Classes as of Monday 16th March 2020
- Online Class:
a. The online teaching of your course will take place during the same class/section hours that your course was scheduled. Thus, your online schedule will be exactly the same as your existing face-to-face course schedule and therefore you will now attending the online lectures during the same days/time as your current course schedule.
b. Instead of physically visiting your classroom, you will be joining from home your virtual online videoconference class. Your lecturer and your colleagues will be virtually present and your lecturer will deliver the online lectures.
c. When you join the videoconference to attend/participate in your online class you will be able to watch your lecturer live, watch his/her lecture/presentation, ask questions and discuss any issues related to the lesson. - Your lecturer will:
a. make available on the platform that s/he is using (Moodle or Faculty Intranet) the teaching/learning material and other learning activities of the course.
b. contact you in order to inform you about the course material and the activities on the platform
c. inform you as to how teaching/learning will take place following distance learning methods and how you will communicate with her/him and with each other. - You have to:
a. attend/participate in the online synchronous videoconference lectures
b. access daily the platform that your lecturer is using (Moodle or Faculty Intranet)
c. check your emails daily
d. study the course material
e. communicate with your lecturer via the platform, by email, by skype or by any online ways that your lecturer suggests. - Course Adjustments:
a. No face-to-face midterm exams will take place; instead, alternative assessment methods such as projects, assignments, portfolios, etc. will be assigned.
b. Extension to deadlines will be considered accordingly
c. Any group work assigned will be re-considered by your lecturer and individual assignments may replace group work. If deemed essential to keep group work, no physical interaction should take place between you and other students; instead virtual meetings, electronic communication and online group-work tools (such as wiki) should be used.
Finally, we would like to inform you that for technical support you need to contact the Distance Learning Unit at: Email: [email protected] Tel: (+357) 2284 2065, (+357) 2284 2066.
2. Arrangements for the Practicum and the Lab and Studio Courses
The University Schools’ Departments are currently looking into alternative solutions for the completion of the lab and studio courses, as well as the practicums. You will be informed in due course about these arrangements.
Dear Students,
The University is doing everything possible to practically assist you to complete the Spring 2020 semester with the minimum interruptions. We are looking forward to your cooperation and collaboration, in order to achieve the best results possible for all.
We thank you once more.
Professor Philippos Pouyioutas – Rector
Professor Andreas Polemitis – Senior Vice Rector
Professor Constantinos Phellas – Vice Rector for Faculty and Research, Senior Vice Rector Elect
Professor Panayiotis Angelides – Vice Rector for Academic Affairs
Professor Demetris Vrontis – Vice Rector for Faculty and Research Elect
