Staffordshire University shifted to remote learning and teaching in March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout this period, our team has also been busy developing a comprehensive suite of delivery models that will support our transition out of lockdown.
Blended learning lies at the heart of our approach, but what does this actually mean? What can our students expect from September 2020 onwards?
We know we all have a part to play in safeguarding our University community and surrounding areas, which is why Staffs fully supports social distancing. As we begin to reopen our campuses, social distancing will play a crucial role in ensuring a COVID-secure environment for everyone.
For this reason, all lectures during our first semester will be delivered virtually – because full lecture theatres do not lend themselves to effective social distancing.
However, we also appreciate that our state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge facilities play an important role in supporting the success of our curious and daring students, so we plan to welcome our community back onto campus in a phased manner, delivering a selection of on-site activities – such as teaching in smaller groups – within a COVID-secure learning environment.
We also understand that the relationships our students build with their peers, academics and external partners represent an essential part of the Staffordshire University experience, which is why all our students will benefit from an enhanced and extended period of welcome and development activities from September 2020.
This period will include a range of activities and workshops that will go beyond the core curriculum, plus opportunities for our returning students to cover any essential materials missed during our period of remote learning. There will also be plenty of time to make new friends and enjoy our University’s amazing social scene.
You’ll also have access to our outstanding team of Student Support, Wellbeing and Inclusion experts, who will be on hand to provide guidance and assistance both remotely and face to face.
Our Connected University has all the tools and services necessary to support our students’ learning and development through a combination of virtual and on-campus delivery.
Blended learning means that we can continue to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and local communities, while delivering a first-class educational experience. We’re also confident that this approach will help us to shape a more flexible, engaging and innovative student experience in the longer term – crisis or no crisis.
We will be sharing further information about the measures we are putting in place for the 2020/21 academic year over the coming weeks.
Our students, staff and partners have proven time and again that we can overcome any obstacle when we work together, so rest assured that Staffs will be back in September 2020 and, when it’s time to come back, we want you to know…
We’ve got your back!
#ProudToBeStaffs
If you are a Staffordshire University student studying with one of our Collaborative Academic Partners, please contact the institution in question for information about local arrangements.