Posted: by Verity Hilton in Higher Education
Lifelong Learning and COVID-19: New Approaches at Oxford
This is our second profile regarding how our member institutions are responding to the new challenges brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic. Again, it is our hope that by sharing these practices, we can provide ne wapproaches and tips to all our members and colleagues during these difficult times.
New Approaches at Oxford
At Oxford, the Department for Continuing Education is in the process of moving as much of our face-to-face teaching and assessment online as possible. We have also launched this regularly updated free-of-charge learning resource, Curious Minds, which UALL members and any affiliate would be welcome to utilise.
Latest additions include:
Our Associate Professor in English Literature Dr Sandie Byrne has opened a 'Literary Clinic' – prescribing literature to sooth all ills – and so far she's had more than 100 patients through the door:
Business has been so brisk that the marketing team are well behind posting to the prescriptions page, but the advice is sortable by category:
Our Associate Professor in History Dr Elizabeth Gemmill recorded a 10 minute talk which we put out last week as Episode 1 of our 'Curious Minds Podcast' series. Future episodes will feature other colleagues speaking for 10 minutes on a research topic, or something timely from their subject area:
Response to Curious Minds
Since the ‘Curious Minds’ pages were launched on the website, which host the regularly updated free of charge learning resources for the general public, have so far received 75,000 visitors, 2/3rd of whom are new visitors and within hours of launching, we have received incredibly positive responses from around the world.
"Absolutely God’s gift, I am using the phrase even though I am an atheist, as it fits perfectly. I am self-isolated for three months. This is what I need. Thank you."
"Thank you - wonderful resources to keep the brain alive :-)"
"Wow, amazing! Thank you so much."
"Outstanding concept. Thanks."
"Thank you - a lifeline in these isolating times"
"Curious Minds is a brilliant idea particularly while we are all self isolating as much as possible. Thank you Oxford University."
"Hi, Thanks for sharing resource online to enhance our knowledge when the world is facing a serious health crisis. I am looking forward to read the resources."
"Sounds like a great idea."
"We are in Lock-Down in New Zealand for at least four weeks so your online Curious Minds will be a wonderful resource."
"Looks an interesting "something" whilst we are all confined to barracks... thank you..."
"Thank you very much for keeping in the loop. We’ll just have to keep our fingers X’ed and hope the whole thing fizzles out, I look forward to better news next time."
"Thank you for the Curious Minds initiative...it looks fantastic."
"This is awesome. Many thanks from across the pond to the Continuing Education team!"
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