Taking new tech in his stride

A teacher (right) livestreams his class from the center for integrated media in Xiangcheng, Henan province, on Feb 7. Chinese universities have delayed the new semester and moved classes online in a bid to control the novel coronavirus outbreak. [Photo/Xinhua]

Even though he has taught the course for more than two decades, Zhang still prepares the lectures by himself every year. Before the livestreaming class, he discussed the course plan with Hu several times and went through several rehearsals to get used to online teaching.

"His professionalism deserves respect and admiration," Hu says.

During the virtual class, Zhang keeps in mind that a delay in audio transmission might happen and he will turn each slide layout after a pause to ensure viewers can follow.

While he is teaching, Hu opens the class on another computer to check if the sound quality and internet connectivity are stable and he also keeps an eye on the WeChat group to see if students raise questions.

To help students better understand the course, Zhang and Hu answer questions online from 9:30 am to 11:30 am on Saturday.

As, probably, the oldest teacher livestreaming a course in the country, Zhang's class has gone viral on social media. Many internet users commented that Zhang proves it's never too late to learn.

Born in 1925 in Tianjin, Zhang began teaching at Tsinghua in 1957 and became the first head of the department of Physics when it was reestablished in 1982, according to Xinhua News Agency.

He usually works at least eight hours per day, and sometimes even on a Saturday, according to People's Daily.

Thanks to regular exercise, he is in good health and is as sharp as a tack.

In 1977, he started jogging every morning. The habit didn't stop until he was 90 when a doctor suggested he change to walking.

"Morning exercises help me figure out academic problems," Zhang says.

Apart from teaching, Zhang also frequently attends various lectures held by Tsinghua's Institute for Advanced Study.

When asked about retirement, he says: "It will be the time when my mind doesn't work. I will not surrender before that."

In the new semester, Tsinghua plans to offer 4,254 courses involving 2,681 teachers and 25,091 students. More than 3,000 of the courses are scheduled to be broadcast online.

Tsinghua, like other universities nationwide, have delayed the new semester and moved classes online in a bid to control the outbreak.

According to the Ministry of Education, so far, there have been 22 online education platforms offering more than 24,000 college courses for free. They cover 12 undergraduate disciplines and 18 majors in polytechnic and vocational education. Many of them are for-college-credit programs.

The ministry says that before the epidemic is under control, all colleges should remain closed. Zhong Nanshan, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said at a news conference in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on Thursday that he believes the epidemic will be brought under control on the Chinese mainland by the end of April.

The virus, which started in Wuhan, has infected more than 78,000 people and killed more than 2,700 across the country as of Friday.

Contact the writer at wangqian@chinadaily.com.cn