Sask. Polytech to modify how it delivers education this fall

Saskatchewan Polytechnic will take a two-pronged approach to how it delivers education this fall in light of the pandemic and the fact physical distancing will likely still be in place.

Starting in September, the institution will provide a combination of online/distance instruction and limited in-person courses where needed to ensure students who require hands-on experiences to complete their programs can get it. The polytechnic believes this approach will give students the best opportunity for academic success during the changing environment of a global pandemic.

Sask. Polytech is responsible for the health of its students and staff, and as part of the provincial government’s reopen plan, the school will manage the number of students on its campus, explained Has Malik, vice-president of academics and provost.

The Ministry of Health gave the polytechnic permission to allow limited in-person gatherings for students who need to use shops or laboratories. The educational institution began that approach this week to ensure students could complete their programs. Malik noted this approach has been successful so far.

“We’re using that same method for our fall planning … ,” he said. “We’re planning for students to come in in a very structured manner and take the learning in a face-to-face modality.”

To ensure the polytechnic could meet physical distancing requirements, it looked at the layout of each lab or shop to determine how students could work more than two metres apart. It also decided to install signs on every campus to indicate the direction in which students should move.

Similarly, the school is co-ordinating with faculty to ensure each has a designated time for classroom bathroom breaks, along with a designated washroom. Each floor and wing in each building on the four campuses will have specific bathrooms to use; classrooms will have designated entry and exit points; and some classes will start at different times.

When the pandemic struck in mid-March, Sask. Polytech acted quickly to move classes online — it did this in four days — and shut down its campuses to ensure there was nothing hands-on, Malik said. Staff and teachers also worked diligently to make the transition online smooth.

“It’s gone really well,” he continued. “More than 90 per cent of classes are now delivered online or remotely. It’s been a resounding success.”

Even before the pandemic hit, though, some classes already had an online component or were already delivered online. Malik noted the school was able to capitalize on that experience when moving more courses onto the internet.

While moving online has been a success, the school still faced some challenges. One challenge, Malik explained, was how some students and faculty found it difficult to move online so late in the semester when courses were already being delivered in-person.

“At the same time, we’re really heartened and encouraged by the fact everyone is determined and dedicated to succeed,” he continued.

While education might look different in the fall, Sask. Polytech will continue to enhance learning, Malik said. The quality of its education and value of its credentials will remain the same; it will work with industry partners to develop and update curriculum; and it will ensure students have an enriched educational experience.

“We will do the best we can to maintain our high standards,” he added, “and also to ensure we are following the chief health officer’s guidelines (on physical distancing) … .”