Everything you need to know about blended learning in the School of Physical Sciences
We are planning for the delivery of degrees with social distancing in place and are guided by government regulations. As a student within the Division of Natural Sciences – which includes Chemistry, Forensic Science and Physics and Astrophysics – you will continue to benefit from a truly engaging and blended learning approach.
Will I get any face to face learning?
We are planning enjoy face-to-face teaching from September.
In particular, our practical and laboratory-based learning will take place in facilities dedicated for this purpose, and adapted to ensure you are working in a Covid-secured environment. This will ensure that you gain these important elements of a degree in the sciences and meet the expectation of employers. Unlike many other institutions, we were able to provide practical training in the Autumn term 2020, prior to the Winter lockdown.
Where possible, and depending on the subject area, we are planning that other smaller group activities (e.g. academic adviser group meetings, seminars and workshops) will take place on campus and in person. These plans are in progress and we will be in a position to provide an update later in the summer.
Of course, like all Universities, all plans for face-to-face delivery are subject to changes in Government restrictions in place, and their application in higher education settings.
What will be delivered online?
Lectures will be delivered online during the Autumn term. Lectures tend to involve larger groups that are difficult to accommodate in socially-distanced rooms.
The University now has substantial experience of delivering lectures online and they have been well received by students.
There may be other elements of your degree offered online where they are additive to your programme, e.g. skills sessions focused on employability, seminars involving external speakers, discussion groups and informal coffee breaks.
How will online lectures work?
All online activities, including lectures, will be included in your timetable – ensuring you can structure your time.
Within the Division of Natural Sciences– we are keen to take the best bits from our experience last year as well as working together to continue to improve how we deliver online learning. You can read more about our approach to this here.
What about other elements of the student experience?
The university experience has always been wider than your studies. The people you meet, experiences you have and wider life-learning is a key part of your time at Kent. We are very well served with a lot of extra-curricular activities, a strong community and a beautiful campus environment – and we are working extra hard on ensuring students benefit from this. This includes working with Kent Union as well as student reps and societies to ensure you can truly be part of our world.
Please note, these are our current plans but they are subject to changes in Government guidance.