Pursuant to Article 23 (1) and (2) (2) of the Act of 20 July 2018 - Law on Higher Education and Science (i.e. Journal of Laws of 2020, item 85, as amended), § 14(1) and (2) of the Statute of Lodz University of Technology - Resolution No. 88/2019 of the Senate of Lodz University of Technology of 10 July 2019, § 12, § 13 and § 13a of the Regulation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of 27 September 2018 on studies (t. j. Journal of Laws of 2018, item. 1861, as amended), in connection with preventing, counteracting and combating the COVID-19 epidemic, following the recommendations of the Polish Accreditation Committee and the guidelines of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland, I order the following:
§ 1
I define the rules for the organization of classes with the use of distance learning methods and techniques in force at Lodz University of Technology in the academic year 2020/2021.
§ 2
1. Classes planned to be run remotely are conducted with the use of IT infrastructure and software, enabling synchronous and asynchronous interaction between class participants and academic teachers as well as other instructors. The following tools are available at Lodz University of Technology free of charge to all authorized users, in compliance with applicable law, in particular copyright and licensing, and ensuring the security of personal data processing:
1) distance learning tools offered as part of the university e-learning platform WIKAMP;
2) Office 365 cloud tools, in particular MS Teams;
3) TUL webinar platform.
2. The use of other, additional tools is allowed only in justified cases and provided that it does not lead to unauthorized use of personal data. The consent to use additional tools (apart from those mentioned in section 1 items 1, 2 and 3) is granted by the head of the unit providing education. In the case of supporting education with additional tools, the WIKAMP platform should be used simultaneously for a given course. In particular, it is forbidden to require participants to pay for the use of these additional tools.
3. According to the interpretation of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, classes with direct participation of academic teachers or other persons conducting classes may only include classes carried out by the method of synchronous participation of the lecturer and participants (i.e. conducted in a manner ensuring synchronous, direct interaction between the participant and the teacher in real-time, enabling the immediate flow of information). Due to the above, min. 75% of hours planned for remote implementation should be carried out synchronously, i.e. in real time, according to the schedule.
4. In exceptional cases, the Vice-Rector for Education may consent to the asynchronous mode of classes, with the statutory requirement to implement min. 50% of the ECTS credits included in the study program with the direct participation of academic teachers or other teachers and students.
Classes conducted with the use of distance learning methods and techniques should be carried out in accordance with the study plan. It is allowed to agree on other dates of classes, provided that all participants of the classes agree to the change and the change is agreed with the head of the unit. Attendance at classes should be confirmed each time by an entry in the attendance list generated with the use of available tools.
6. Participants of the classes have the opportunity to participate personally in consultations with academic teachers and other persons conducting classes at the University premises or via the MS Teams application on dates strictly specified by the teacher or other person running the classes. Information on the date and place of consultations should be placed in the employee's profile on the website and communicated to the participants of the classes during the first lesson.
7. It is recommended to monitor the learning progress on an ongoing basis. Verification of the learning outcomes achieved by the participants of the classes takes place at the seat of the University, provided that safe and hygienic working conditions are ensured. It is allowed to conduct course completion tests and examinations remotely, using licensed online tools provided by the University. The rules for conducting course completion tests and examinations with the use of distance learning methods and tools are set out in Appendix 1 to this Ordinance.
8. Academic teachers and other persons running classes should be prepared to conduct classes with the use of distance learning methods and techniques, by undergoing appropriate training (the full training offer and training webinars and tutorials are available at the E-learning Center of Lodz University of Technology).
9. Academic teachers and other persons conducting classes with the use of distance education methods and techniques are obliged to prepare and provide didactic materials to the participants of the classes to support their education.
10. Academic teachers and other persons conducting classes should oblige the participants of the classes to read the training materials on the use of university tools referred to in para. 1, which are available on the WIKAMP platform, and also, in the case of using additional tools, conduct a short training.
11. The immediate supervisor controls the implementation of education activities in a remote and mixed mode on an ongoing basis by an academic teacher or another person conducting the classes, using, among others a monthly report on the performance of activities, the template of which is set out in Appendix 2 to this Ordinance. The results of the analysis of these reports are sent to the appropriate Vice-Dean for Education.
12. The limits of people participating in individual forms of classes, specified in the Work Regulations of Lodz University of Technology, may change for classes carried out with the use of distance learning methods and techniques. The decision in this matter is made by the dean / head of the unit organizing education, taking into account in particular substantive considerations (maintaining the quality of classes and verification of the assumed learning outcomes) and financial effects.
13. Classes carried out with the use of distance learning methods and techniques are subject to lesson visitations in accordance with Resolution No. 90/2019 of the Senate of Lodz University of Technology of September 25, 2019 on the survey of the education process and visitations of didactic classes. In this case, members of the visiting team are joined to selected online classes that take place on a given day using a predefined communication platform (MS Teams or TUL webinar platform).
14. In the case of classes that develop practical skills, distance learning methods and techniques can be used as an aid.
§ 3
1. In connection with the loss of validity as of 30 September 2020 of the Ordinance of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of 21 May 2020 on temporary limitation of the functioning of some entities of the higher education system and science in connection with preventing, counteracting and combating COVID-19 (Journal of Laws of 2020, item 911), the implementation of education returns to normal mode, subject to changes introduced by the Ordinances of the Rector of Lodz University of Technology in connection with preventing, counteracting and combating the COVID-19 epidemic concerning the education process.
2. In the Ordinance No. 50/2017 of the Rector of Lodz University of Technology of 20 December 2017 on teaching methods and techniques of distance learning (e-learning), the application of § 3(2) of the Appendix shall be suspended until the new Ordinance comes into force.
§ 4
The Ordinance shall enter into force on 5 October 2020, with effect from 1 October 2020.