Y3 UoS Bio reps

2 new updates:

MGT388 finance content should all be available from 7am each Monday

MPY modules should now have a dedicated blackboard section for virtual lectures, in line with other modules

We're currently chasing updates from BioEng and the Management school regarding the consistent late release of lectures for MGT388. Hoping to get this resolved soon.

Hi guys,
As you all know, we've had a pretty rocky first week back due to challenges with online learning, so thanks to everyone who got in touch with us and raised issues.
Yesterday we had our first staff student committee meeting of the year and discussed these problems, the outcome of which is summarised below. (A more exhaustive list with explanations can be found in the photos.)

- Too many emails is a common issue. We will ask lecturers to use the announcements section of blackboard instead. This will automatically generate an email as well, but this means the information for the module remains easily accessible in one place.

- Inconsistent timetabling is a tricky problem - get in touch with biosupport regarding any clashes or immediate issues
In the meantime, keep us in the loop of any ongoing issues and let us and/or biosupport know which specific modules are problematic

- Make sure module leaders organise their blackboard pages clearly, with a breakdown of the week’s expectations. If a specific module page is particularly hard to navigate, please let us know and we will see what can be done to improve it.

- Please don’t be afraid to use discussion boards to ask questions and to help each other out if you are able. Staff will be informed of how to set up notifications so they don’t miss posts.

- Too many deadlines close together - if you let us know which modules are a problem, we can attempt to get deadlines tweaked. Not sure what is possible yet, but communicating with module leaders is key.

- Unfortunately, thanks to covid-19 pre-recorded content is here to stay and it will not be possible to timetable this. To help structure your day, it will be necessary to self-timetable around synchronous sessions. We will ask module leaders to release all content for the week at a more convenient time to enable this.

- Live recordings missing - staff are aware of and investigating this issue, and hope to recover the lost recordings.

It's pretty clear that so far the transition to online learning has been tough for both students and lecturers, and that our interdisciplinary course is particularly poorly suited to this format. On the bright side, the lines of communication are very much open and we're here to make sure your voices are heard (and more importantly - listened to). Our bioengineering cohort has a lot to be proud of and we'll all get through this year together.

- Maddie, Ben, Lise, Joud & Nadine

Hi!
We are your academic representatives for year 3 of bioengineering at UoS and we're here to listen to and voice your concerns to the department. Please feel free to use the message feature to get in touch with us.
~ Ben, Joud, Lise, Maddie & Nadine