A silver lining amid the pandemic

The need to rely on virtual teaching technologies during the pandemic has been beneficial for both teachers and students as such experiences allow them to be better prepared for the new normal of hybrid work and enhance their overall productivity, according to the Sino-British College of the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology.

The university has again been leveraging such technologies due to the latest COVID-19 outbreak in Shanghai.

"The pandemic has made educators more resilient and provided them with greater familiarity of the functions available through our Virtual Learning Environments platform and the adoption of various pedagogical practices in both virtual teaching and learning contexts," said Gareth Lewis, head of the School of Engineering and Computing of the college.

Daniel Sdrigotti, a French lecturer at the college, noted that the use of digital teaching tools has also allowed teachers to provide students with more individualized feedback.

Lee Henderson, head of the School of Business and Management of the college, stated that staff members have full confidence in the city's pandemic  measures and understand that time is needed to bring the number of cases down to a controllable level. Till this happens, virtual learning will be the primary medium of instruction.

Henderson's sentiment on the city's management was echoed by other foreign teachers from the college who said that Shanghai's grid-based management has made them feel safe.

"I dare say that nearly all expats would agree they feel safer in Shanghai than wherever they may call home," said Tony Ryan, a senior lecturer from the United States.

"China's stringent COVID-19 policy has resulted in the safest living and working environment. Friends and family back home have been envious that while they were living under strong lockdown measures, Shanghai was back to business as usual," he added.