[LINK] Cambridge University Using Online Lectures Until 2021

[Tom Worthington]

On 22/5/20 10:24 am, Bernard Robertson-Dunn wrote:

> Some students, especially those doing an MBA, where networking is a
> vital part of the course are starting to demand re-reimbursement of
> course fees. ...

Cambridge University does not appear to be alone with students asking 
for a refund, when they found themselves studying online, rather than in 
the hallowed halls. 
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/mar/25/hundreds-thousands-uk-students-call-tuition-fee-refunds

However, Cambridge University is only suspending mass lectures, which 
are not particularly useful for networking (or much else). It is 
expected students will be able to attend small group teaching, where the 
magic of Oxbridge is supposed to happen.

Even online there are ways to help students to network. One commonly 
used icebreaker is to have students form small groups to find out about 
each other. They then introduce each other to the whole class. Students 
can then be guided to work together.

For those with good social skills, this can seem a very trivial and 
artificial. However, I was once enrolled in a course, face to face, 
where I never met *anyone*. I went to the lectures, listened to the 
lecturer, and went home. There was no get-to-know-you: the lecturer 
lectured and we were supposed to listen, no questions, no discussion.

Icebreakers can be done online, where video conference system puts 
participants into small groups for a set period. Online text forums can 
also be used. This was done last weekend for the ANZDF logistics 
hackerthon, where teams were formed using Slack.

It will be interesting to see to what extent such icebreaker exercises 
can be held face to face, while maintaining social distancing. The 
Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN) had very successful First Wednesday 
Connect events with hundreds of people crammed in. These events have 
moved online. But when they can again be held in person will it work, if 
everyone has to keep their distance in a mostly empty room?

On my last visit to Cambridge I dropped in on their business faculty 
(where the MBAs are) and talked to the equivalent of CBRIN. One insight 
was that most students *do not participate* in networking activities if 
they are not required to. They tend to only turn up shortly before they 
graduate, when they realize they might need to network to get a job.


-- 
Tom Worthington, MEd FHEA FACS CP IP3P http://www.tomw.net.au 
+61(0)419496150
TomW Communications Pty Ltd. PO Box 13, Belconnen ACT 2617, Australia
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Prof. Standards Legislation

Honorary Lecturer, Computer Science, Australian National University 
https://cecs.anu.edu.au/research/profile/tom-worthington