Update on digital teaching at the Faculty of Medicine from 20 September
Continuation of digital lectures/seminars/clinics for large groups
In an email written by Dean Ivar P. Gladhaug dated 20 August, it was announced that in the middle of September the Faculty Management would reassess whether a move can be made over to physical teaching after 20 September regarding lectures/seminars/clinics for large groups.
The Faculty Management has now made this assessment in consultation with the faculty’s infection control committee and heads of studies. The matter has also been raised with student representatives.
Due to increasing infection rates and as long as society is kept at level 3, we do not find it justifiable to move over to more physical teaching. The reason behind this decision is that a large outbreak of infection could have consequences regarding participation in teaching and thereby have a serious effect on the progress of study. Despite the fact that there is the possibility of testing oneself out of quarantine, several days may be lost in cases of infection/close contact.
Since the Government has signaled that society will go straight from level 3 to a full reopening, the assessment is that reopening teaching in large groups follows the Government’s plan for the full reopening of society.
The faculty is working on finding solutions for hybrid teaching, where parts of a year group may physically attend lectures. More information about this will be announced during October.
NB: Group teaching in Modules 1 and 2 of medical studies will transition to physical teaching from 20 September.
Guidelines for teaching after 20 September and until further notice will be as follows:
- Lectures/seminars/clinics with all or large parts of the year group present, and where a distance of 1 meter cannot be maintained, will be held digitally as long as society is at level 3.
- Physical or digital teaching may be carried out on the master’s programmes when distancing requirements can be maintained.
- Group teaching may be carried out physically on all our programmes of study. Digital teaching may continue where appropriate. Face masks are recommended in situations where the distancing requirement of 1 metre cannot be met. Hospital rules are to be followed at Oslo University Hospital and Ahus.
- Clinical teaching/courses/skills training is to be carried out physically. Face masks are recommended in situations where the distancing requirement of 1 metre cannot be met. Hospital rules are to be followed at Oslo University Hospital and Ahus.
- Students are encouraged to take a rapid test as close to attending teaching as possible and download the Smittestopp app for easier infection tracking. It is recommended that a break is taken in order to ventilate the premises during group meetings.
When society reopens, it may take up to two weeks for teaching changes to be implemented and all schedules to be updated. All notices of changes will be announced in My Studies.
In addition, we would like to remind everyone to follow the general rules of infection control at UiO and to stay at home in the event of illness.
Yours sincerely,
Elin O. Rosvold and Eivind Engebretsen, Vice-Deans