Sophie Berveiller, a lecturer and researcher in materials science, and Oliver Watts, an English teacher, both work at the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers Metz. Like all the school's teachers, they have been working hard to ensure the school's educational continuity since March 16.
Getting started with the tools
Two tools already existed to facilitate distance learning: the SAVOIR platform, for uploading files in various formats, conducting tests, and collecting student work, and Teams, a collaborative work tool that allows users to organize videoconferences. Sophie Berveiller and Oliver Watts were already using SAVOIR.
As for Teams, specific training was provided for teachers the day after the campus closed, so that they could quickly organize live classes via videoconferencing.
Adaptation of courses and materials
Classes are always scheduled in the timetable. Teachers are free to choose the format: face-to-face via Teams, exercises on SAVOIR, teamwork with assignments, etc.
This practice requires adjustments to course materials. Sophie Berveiller explains: "In my lectures, digital materials are supplemented by elements written on the board as I go along. So I had to readjust the materials available to students to add this information."
As for Oliver Watts, he turned to creating video clips using free screencast software to provide students with instructions.
Making classes interactive
If preparing lessons already takes a lot of time, you also have to find a way to captivate your audience, which can number up to 75 people in a lecture.
"I always break up the monotony of lectures by incorporating interaction, such as Wooclap. But even with that, it's difficult to hold a two-hour video lecture,"explains Sophie Berveiller.
So teachers have to be even more creative to attract and captivate students.
For her first lecture during lockdown, Sophie Berveiller encouraged students to log in with a carrot and a kitchen knife. After a 30-minute presentation (which included using the carrot and knife to explain residual stresses), she divided the students into groups of five. Each group had to work on a section of the course and produce (eventually) an explanatory video. There will even be a prize for the best video!
Students want this connection with their teachers.
Oliver Watts also maintains some face-to-face interaction, particularly at the beginning of the session: "It energizes the class and allows me to make the connection with the materials I make available to them on SAVOIR. What's more, students want this connection with the teacher. Otherwise, students can chat (in English, of course) via a chat room on SAVOIR, which I check every day."
Distance learning over a long period of time is an unprecedented situation, so the two teachers are adapting their teaching methods every week to meet the needs of their students as closely as possible!
