Burnaby’s BCIT is making the move to primarily online classes starting this week due to COVID-19.
But it won't be easy, as many programs are "hands-on."
“BCIT’s COVID-19 Emergency Operations Committee, with members representing functions across the Institute including Academic programs, have been working to develop a plan to transition BCIT’s applied educational programming to remote learning,” read a statement by the school. “Given the hands-on and practical nature of BCIT’s unique and industry-based programming, this transition has been complex and multi-faceted. It will begin this week.”
Simon Fraser University announced it was cancelling in-person classes as of last Friday.
A big issue for BCIT is how “hands-on” its classes are compared to university classes.
“Given BCIT’s complexity, this transition will occur on an as-possible basis to ensure our students’ academic goals are respected, our technology is available and effective and — most importantly — that we protect the ongoing health and wellbeing of our community during this unprecedented pandemic situation,” read the statement. “The Provincial Health Officer and the BC Centre for Disease Control continue to advise that the threat to residents of B.C. and Canada is low, and so this is a voluntary and proactive measure.
“We understand that this is a significant change in our program delivery and there will be questions and details to be determined as this rolls out. We ask for and appreciate your patience as we deliver on this transition in this rapidly evolving situation.
To facilitate this transition, full-time program classes will be suspended for two days on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17. Students in these programs are being told to not come to class on Monday or Tuesday and will receive instructions for online learning to begin on Wednesday.
Things are trickier for the trades courses and, as of Sunday, the school doesn't have a solution, but is working on it.
“At this time, accrediting bodies are assessing alternate delivery of trades courses as an option. We will be cancelling related classes on Monday and Tuesday while we assess the need to delay, cancel or have an alternative delivery method for these courses. Students will receive an email from their chief instructor on next steps before Wednesday.”
