University Of Georgia: Task Force To Examine Lessons From Pandemic

Press release from University of Georgia:

Sam Fahmy

2021-06-30

Faculty, staff and students to focus on enhancing the learning environment

As the University of Georgia prepares for a full return to normal campus operations this fall, it is also looking back to identify how lessons learned from a year and a half of teaching during the COVID pandemic can enhance the learning environment.

The Task Force on the Future of Teaching and Learning at UGA, charged by Provost S. Jack Hu and Vice President for Instruction Rahul Shrivastav, is composed of 27 faculty, staff and students from across the institution. Its members will meet regularly over the next several months and are scheduled to deliver a report on their findings at the end of fall semester.

“The dedication of faculty, advisors and staff in supporting our students was abundantly clear as the pandemic forced us to make an abrupt transition to remote learning in spring and summer 2020, followed by the adoption of a mix of in-person, hybrid and online instruction from fall 2020 through spring and summer 2021,” Hu said. “This task force provides an opportunity to examine what worked well, what didn’t and how we can apply the lessons learned for the benefit of our students in the months and years ahead.”

The scope of the task force is broad, encompassing areas such as instructional formats, instructional spaces and technology, academic support services, student life, equity and inclusion. Its work is guided by the university’s 2025 Strategic Plan, the Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Plan, and the 2017 Task Force on Student Learning and Success.

The task force is co-chaired by Joseph Goetz, Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, and Naomi Norman, associate vice president for instruction.

“When it comes to teaching and learning, UGA has a long history of looking ahead and implementing plans to ensure that our students get the best educational experiences possible,” Shrivastav said. “We greatly appreciate Professor Goetz and Associate Vice President Norman’s willingness to lead this group. They will be reaching out to other faculty, staff and administrators to ensure that a range of insights and perspectives is represented.”

Members of the Task Force on the Future of Teaching and Learning are listed below:

This press release was produced by University of Georgia. The views expressed here are the author’s own.