The first four cases of coronavirus in the country confirmed by the government led to the immediate suspension of classes throughout the entire education system. Consequently, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the authorities and the resolution of the Council of Rectors of Private Universities, Universidad ORT Uruguay from in-person to online classes starting Monday, March 16.
This is a way of teaching and learning that feels unfamiliar to many teachers and students, but through the use of various technological tools, it has emerged as an opportunity for education amid the crisis caused by COVID-19. Not only does it offer an alternative now, given the impossibility of holding classes in classrooms, but it also holds promise for the future.
A complete turnaround
The experience ORT has gained over two decades of offering graduate-level distance learning was crucial to the university’s ability to respond swiftly to the health crisis. However, according to ORT’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Julio Fernández, the current situation calls for a complete overhaul of the university’s operating philosophy, which until now has been based on in-person instruction.
In this regard, the collaboration and dedication of teachers and staff, the understanding of the students, and technology have been the key factors in driving this change forward. “Everyone has shown remarkable commitment in the face of this situation that keeps us connected 24/7. We do this with great affection because, for us, the task of teaching and educating future generations is in the university’s DNA,” says Ana Olmedo, Academic Secretary of the ORT Institute of Education.
In any case, the new setup relies on the Aulas virtual platform, where instructors post assignments—whether for asynchronous work (with students logging in whenever they choose) or to hold a session at the time the in-person class was originally scheduled. For the latter case, the university purchased licenses for the Zoom platform so that instructors could effectively teach their courses there.
In the School of Engineering, in particular, in addition to those two tools, Microsoft Teams is also being used, not only for teaching classes but also for administrative purposes.
Despite the negative aspects of the current situation, the vice-chancellor emphasizes that, once the crisis is over, a major overhaul will become apparent. “Some activities, which will prove useful in the coming days, will be permanently incorporated into the courses, enriching the student experience. Many teachers will have overcome the initial adjustment period and will continue to use teaching ideas, tools, and technical platforms that the crisis forced them to discover. They will also have discovered that the limits of their own abilities and those of their students were much higher than they thought. Perhaps this is the most positive outcome of the crisis,” he says.
Testimonials from teachers and students about online classes
According to Alejandro Moreno, a professor at ORT’s School of Business and Social Sciences: “The technology we use at ORT has broken the paradigm that excellent results can only be achieved through in-person classes.” While he acknowledges that this presents teachers with an unfamiliar scenario, he insists that it is their responsibility to adapt to the new reality without losing their enthusiasm or passion for teaching.
For his part, Plinio Gañi, a professor in the School of Engineering, says he has seen a positive response from students, as they quickly acquired the skills needed to follow the classes without any problems. “The students not only greatly appreciate all the effort the university has made to quickly switch to online classes, but they have also shown a wonderful spirit of collaboration with the faculty to ensure that everything runs smoothly,” he says.
For Leticia Di Fabio, a professor at ORT’s School of Architecture, this experience leads her to view the crisis as an opportunity. “It’s an opportunity to rediscover ourselves as a team, as educators, to rediscover our courses and rethink them, and to seek out new alternatives and tools so that the teaching and learning process can continue,” she explains.
Tamara Ubilla, a student in the Bachelor’s Degree in Business Communication program, shares the view that crisis equals opportunity, as it presents great possibilities to challenge one’s creativity. “Through Aulas interacted with professors via forums, which, in a way, bridges the gap. And the Zoom platform offers us many tools for conducting classes in a dynamic and interactive way,” she notes, adding in conclusion: “It has been a very positive experience, as we were able to continue our courses.”