Dear colleagues,
The following information has been provided by our Vice President for Teaching and Academic Programmes and contains details on the course of action regarding teaching and learning in light of the current situation. This guideline will be used as a basis for handling coursework and examinations in winter semester 2019/2020. Further information on teaching activities in summer semester 2020 will be provided by the middle of this week.
The following key actions have been developed by the Presidential Board and the Student and Academic Matters Department and will serve as a foundation for various procedures illustrating a decentralised scope of action as well as discretionary powers. The current situation requires creative, flexible and innovative approaches. However, we may need to revise these approaches according to new provisions issued by the federal or state governments regarding the coronavirus pandemic.
Simultaneously, students have received an email containing information on the provisions listed below - however, not as detailed as the information provided to members of teaching staff and examiners. Please be prepared for dealing with queries from students via telephone, email or - where possible - via Skype. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Vice President for Teaching and Academic Programmes, Professor Billmann-Mahecha at vpl@uni-hannover.de.
Yours sincerely,
Prof. Dr. Volker Epping
President
Impact on coursework and examinations in winter semester 2019/2020
First of all, suspended examinations include written and oral examinations. In certain circumstances, it is still possible to complete written coursework such as term papers, essays or reports. Please note the following information and do not hesitate to contact the clerks in the Examination Office with any queries.
Written examinations
Written examinations are suspended until further notice. We are currently in the process of discussing suitable periods of time for rescheduling written examinations such as the Pentecost week. However, this ultimately depends on the development of the pandemic.
Oral examinations
Oral examinations are suspended until further notice. The development of the pandemic will determine when it will be possible to reschedule these.
In the case that assessments cannot be rescheduled (last examination in the course of studies, international students who need to return to their home countries, students who need to complete their studies prior to commencing employment), oral examinations may be conducted via Skype. An individual course of action shall be determined by the Examination Board and the respective member of teaching staff. The usual provisions shall apply with respect to conducting oral examinations (observer, preparing a transcript, registering marks).
Written coursework (term papers, essays, etc.)
It is still possible to complete written coursework that has already been commenced, provided that relevant literature is available online.
Due to the closure of libraries and limited online resources, deadlines for written coursework that has already been commenced may be extended. This also applies to written coursework that has been scheduled to commence (impending assignment of topics for term papers, essays, etc.). Please determine on an individual basis and in collaboration with your institute, whether coursework may be completed using the resources available online. Deadlines should be extended to the necessary extent. Within the scope of your subject, please also consider innovative and creative approaches in order to adapt topics according to the resources available.
Topics may by assigned via email stating all relevant information including the topic, the date of assignment, the deadline, as well as the student’s confirmation of the assignment.
Written coursework may be submitted electronically.
As usual, examiners are required to enter marks online. If this is not possible (e.g. subjects in teacher training courses), please provide the marks to the respective clerk in the Examination Office stating the student’s name and enrolment number.
If students decide to discontinue coursework that has already been commenced in spite of an extension, please determine an individual course of action in collaboration with the respective Examination Board.
Changes to assessment types
Should it be considered necessary, the assessment type originally planned (e.g. presentations in person, written examinations in small groups) may be changed. This may be implemented within the scope of the assessment types indicated in the examination regulations. The duration of the new assessment type must be precisely defined.
Bachelor’s and master’s theses
Deadlines for bachelor’s and master’s theses currently in process may be extended following consultation with the Examination Board.
As usual, students must submit their thesis to the examiners via email, as well as submitting a printed version via post or, if possible, by using the post boxes in the institutes. Submission should be confirmed by the receiving member of staff via internal mail to the Examination Office or by using the electronic form.
Likewise, thesis reviews can be sent to the Examination Office via post or using the electronic form with an electronic signature. This also applies to theses that have already been scheduled to commence.
We are aware that many theses rely on experiments, laboratory work and other means of data collection, which cannot be conducted as planned due to the current situation. Experts within the institutes and faculties affected should discuss possible individual cases, under serious consideration of the current measures, determining how they will be managed as well as possible modification of the topic to focus on a more theoretical perspective if necessary. The same applies with regard to the required software that can only be accessed at the institute. In the event that a thesis cannot be completed due to the current situation, it shall not be counted as an unsuccessful attempt.
Field trips, internships and school placements
In light of the current situation, it is no longer possible to complete field trips, internships or school placements. Wherever possible, please seek alternative flexible solutions in the departments and institutes in terms of rescheduling or equivalent options.
The Leibniz School of Education will gladly provide expert assistance with any queries concerning school placements.
Coursework
The same provisions shall apply for coursework. In this respect, please also establish whether it is possible for coursework to be completed in a form that exclusively utilises online literature.
Deadlines for correcting assessments and coursework
In view of the current challenges regarding examinations and the preparations to facilitate online teaching for the summer semester, deadlines for correcting assessments and coursework will consequently be extended. Please communicate this clearly within the institutes, bearing in mind that students are subject to external deadlines such as Federal Education Assistance Act (BAföG), grants and employment offers that are dependent on grades.
Oral examinations (viva voce) for doctoral degrees
The dean of research offices and doctoral committees in the relevant faculty must make arrangements for current doctoral proceedings. The following also applies in this respect: Oral examinations must be rescheduled unless there is urgent reason for this to be conducted via online communication (e.g. Skype, or similar). Please evaluate each individual case.
Representatives for Federal Education Assistance Act (BAföG) and grants: general course certificates
Depending on the course and specifications of the relevant non-university administrative bodies and facilities, many students require course certificates. As examinations have been suspended, students cannot complete any assessments or course units. We are in constant contact with the relevant administrative bodies and facilities in order to establish possible solutions for the matter. In this respect too, processes and provisions must be adapted to the current situation. As a representative in this area, students will turn to you for expert advice. Please gather all information available to you. We will provide detailed information on how to proceed once as soon as this becomes available.
