Luzhou Vocational and Technical College is still empty of students and most teachers. Only leaders and administrators are making regular visits at this time.

It’s March 3, and my college in China was scheduled to begin their online teaching program yesterday.

During the past week, I have been in touch with Danli, one of my Chinese colleagues who was to share duties among others in taking over my conversation courses with the freshmen, Lesson Design with the sophomores and then Lindsey’s conversation courses with the sophomores.  In total, that made 32 extra hours per week  of teaching for someone, thus the decision to dole out our workload to other teachers.

As reported previously, teachers were waiting for confirmation of starting online courses and it seems that came through last week.  Danli is my source and she had news last week.  Here is what she told me:

— Online teaching will begin for the month of March.  All teachers were required to send in a teaching plan for 1 month to their departments, which in turn would send to the office in charge of teaching affairs at the college.

–Teachers have not been allowed to return to the campus since January 26. However, because they will need their teaching materials for online classes, it was decided that a rotating system will be in effect.  Teachers will pick up name badges at the front gates which will allow them to enter the college  in staggered time slots.  They can go to their assigned offices to get textbooks or download what’s needed from office computers before returning home.  Administrators will continue to come and go as needed. (See pictures below of limited staff coming to the school as of today:  Temperature checks are done as each person enters.)

— My conversation classes and Lindsey’s have been canceled.  Only core courses for the English majors will be taught.

My Musings

While only a month’s lesson plans were requested, I am guessing this will be extended month by month until the central government deems it appropriate for students to return to school.

At present, from what I understand, schools are still not in session with a majority turning to online teaching so students can continue with their studies.  My greatest hope is that I can return to China in mid-May, although by then, it might be that the virus has spread throughout the States and China won’t want me back! There might be concern of re-contamination, which could very likely be the case.  You never know.

From Illinois, here’s wishing you 平安 (ping an) for your day.