https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nyzhI_Effw
While we recognize the importance of in-person learning—especially given its significance for campus life—at ORT our priority is to protect the health of our community and fulfill our commitment to ensuring the continuity of education, despite circumstances such as those we are currently facing.
Therefore, in accordance with the social distancing protocols required by national authorities, in-person classes will be held in cases where, due to the nature of the subject matter, the use of laboratories, equipment, and in-person attendance is necessary to ensure the best possible learning experience.
Until the coronavirus vaccination campaign begins in Uruguay and a significant percentage of the population has been vaccinated, the public health risk in our country remains the same as it was last year. Added to this is the increase in the number of infections and the faster rate of transmission observed from December through the present, as well as the possibility of new variants of the virus emerging.
We must therefore take every possible precaution to protect the health not only of our students, teachers, and staff, but also of their families and loved ones.
Adoption of new technologies
Regardless of the situation our country faces in 2021 regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, our university will offer its courses in person as much as possible and online and flexibly as necessary, thereby upholding our commitment to ensuring the continuity of our students’ studies.
Depending on their specific characteristics, the courses will be offered in face-to-face, blended, distance learning, online, or hybrid formats.
- In-person: These are courses taught in a physical classroom, mostly synchronous, supported by a technology platform (or virtual classroom), Aulas ORT Aulas , with repositories of materials, platform-based activities, and communication between instructors and students.
- Blended learning: This format combines in-person classes with asynchronous activities.
- Distance or online: Courses are taught entirely online, either synchronously, asynchronously, or through a combination of both. All courses taught entirely via Zoom since the start of the pandemic are examples of this teaching format. In-person classes are not offered, with some exceptions.
- Hybrid: Courses are taught simultaneously in both in-person and online formats. In some cases, students are free to choose which format to attend.HyFlex® is a state-of-the-art hybrid model.
HyFlex® courses are primarily synchronous, taught simultaneously in-person and online. They require a combination of technology, logistics, faculty training, and curriculum planning that allows students the flexibility to decide whether they prefer to participate in person or remotely throughout the course.
This involves audio and video technology specially integrated for this solution, using robotic cameras and multiple high-quality audio and video channels for optimal transmission of image and sound, as well as for active participation in class by both in-person and remote students.
In 2020,HyFlex® saw a significant increase in adoption at leading universities in the United States and Europe. It enhances the experience for users taking the class online, while providing greater safety and flexibility for class attendance during the pandemic. Experiences in 2020 have shown that this format improves participation and interaction among students and with the instructor during class.
In times of constant change and uncertainty regarding in-person attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic,HyFlex® allows students who choose the in-person option to continue their classes online (for example, if they are required to undergo preventive quarantine or in the event they contract the virus).
Start dates by college in March 2021
As for the School of Architecture, classes will begin with a hybrid model, featuring some online courses, others in theHyFlex® format, and some in classrooms adapted to allow for both in-person and remote participation.
The School of Business and Social Sciences will begin the first semester of 2021 using theHyFlex® format for all first-semester students in the class of 2021. All subsequent semesters will continue to be held remotely.
Given the nature of its programs, the School of Communication and Design prioritizes in-person instruction, particularly for first-year courses. Courses in later semesters will be taught primarily in a blended format, but all practical workshops will be held in person.HyFlex® technology will be used for in-person courses where students are unable to attend in person due to capacity limits or circumstances beyond their control.
For its part, the School of Engineering, building on the positive experience of 2020, will conduct most classes online, with some in-person activities and laboratory work for the Biotechnology, Electronics, Electrical Engineering, and Telecommunications programs.HyFlex® will also be introduced as a new technology this year.