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Categories: Corona virus, Current, Studies

The effects of emergency powers legislation on teaching at Diak

Diak’s campuses are closed between 18 March – 13 April and teaching is implemented remotely. 

This article has more detailed information for students about distance learning, placements, exams, days where you complete unfinished work and international exchange. See also Q&A from briefing 16th March.

Move to distance learning 

Diak moved to distance learning on 17 March. The lecturer responsible will make the required changes directly in the timetable. You can check your timetable for information on teaching (Collaborate or Teams).  

Make sure that your equipment required for virtual teaching is working properly (internet connection, computer, headset).  

When you participate in distance learning, please use Chrome browser. If you join Collaborate distance learning environments, please connect your headset and other sound equipment before connecting. Make sure that the equipment settings are in default in the computer’s settings and connect to the session only after this has been done. 

Only a few final phase health care simulations will be organised live so that graduation won’t be unduly delayed for the students concerned. The simulations will be carried out in groups of eight students. The lecturers will brief these student groups separately. If a student has a cold or is otherwise sick, they are not allowed to participate. 

Other simulated teaching will be carried out with distance equipment, and the parts that require contact teaching will be carried out later. Please follow your timetable regarding this. We are also looking for solutions on how to oraganise medication administration exams. 

Information on final exams in interpretation for the students of sign language and alternative and augmentative communication will be sent to students on 25 March. The exams will be implemented partly as distance learning and partly on campus. The implementation will follow the government’s 10 person rule. 

The Turku campus’ interpretation studio is accessible for thesis work. The room wcan be reserved via MyDiak. Inform Raija Roslöf about the reservation also by email (raija.roslöf@diak.fi) for additional information.  

What do I do if I’m on placement or starting a placement? 

  • The placements will be implemented normally if the employer has no restrictions in place. 
  • If a student has to go in quarantine, they will not be allowed to continue the placement or start a new placement during the quarantine. 
  • If you are in the risk group, sick or have the symptoms of a common cold, you cannot go on placement. 

Finnish institute for health and welfare definitions of the risk groups are: 

  • A difficult heart disease 
  • A lung disease, which is in bad glycemic control Diabetes associated with organ damages 
  • A chronic dysfunction of liver or kidneys 
  • Diseases that weaken the immune system like leukemia or lymphoma 
  • A disease for which you are getting treatment that weakens your immune system (for example organ transplant or chemotherapy) 
  • Over 70–year–old people 

Factors that might increase the risk of the coronavirus for your health are morbid obesity (BMI or Body Mass Index over 40) and daily smoking. They weaken the functioning of the lungs. 

If you have people close to you that are part of the risk group, please follow the instructions given by the institutions who treat them and the Finnish institute for health and welfare. 

The cancellation of placements and compensatory studies 

The placement employers have started to cancel more and more placements and the cancellations affect a large number of students. 

The Head of Education will decide with the lecturers what other studies we can offer to replace the placements. We will have more information about this soon. You can also take modules from CampusOnline and include them in your personal study plan. Please make a plan with your study guidance counsellor. 

In some cases, graduation might be delayed if placements are cancelled. Compensatory placements may not be possible under the circumstances. 

Many hospitals now require nurses and public health nurses for the work at hand. Work which is equal to paid internships and its goals can be accepted as a placement in some cases. These situations will be evaluated on a case by case basis with the supervising lecturer. It is advisable that the placement includes a mentor even in these cases, but if that’s not possible, the goals can be agreed on with the supervising lecturer. If the contract for the paid placement cannot be made because of the exceptional situation, it is possible to be more flexible in this regard as well. 

The students on placement must follow the corona instructions given by the employer.  

What do I do if I feel sick? 

According to Finnish institute for health and welfare instructions (13 March), if the symptoms are mild, you treat the infection until you are healthy at home. You should not contact health centers if you experience mild symptoms because the infection isn’t dangerous for most people. You should contact a health care provider if the symptoms are severe. Unnecessary calls burden the health care system. 

What does the campus closure mean? 

Because of the emergency powers legislation, the government has closed all schools and campuses. You cannot study on campus except for the simulations and the final exams in interpretation. The group size in these cases are always a maximum of 10 people. 

The campus libraries are closed but their services are available remotely. The lecturers have asked the library personnel to find alternative e-materials that can replace exam materials. 

The study office services are available remotely, but not on campus.  

Can I come to the campus for a reserved appointment (for example, the student councellor)? 

The meetings will be held remotely at the agreed time. The study guidance counsellor or student councellor will inform you of the remote connection you can use. 

Can I participate in the days for unfinished assignments and exams? 

The days for unfinished assignments are carried out remotely if possible. More information will be sent out later.  

Exams will be implemented online at the agreed times. We will decide this week how to register for exams and how to complete them online. We will send out more information about this as soon as possible. 

How can I complete an exam if I can’t get the exam books?  

The library is looking for options concerning e-materials. If the material isn’t available for replacing the exam books, the exams will be moved to a later date. 

I have just returned from abroad, can I go on placement? 

All travel related to work and studying abroad is forbidden until 31 May. We do not receive international visitors during this period. The government’s decision also means that all international travel is forbidden.  

If you have recently returned to Finland, you are not allowed to go on placement for 14 days after returning. 

I’m on student exchange or planning to go on exchange. What do I do? 

The Finnish government has instructed all Finnish people abroad to return to Finland immediately. International exchanges are also cancelled. The international office will contact all students who are on exchange. You do not need to pay back your stipend. 

All student exchanges will be cancelled for the spring. 

Student services at Diak between 18 March – 13 April 2020 

Where can I find more information? 

When needed, you can contact corona@diak.fi. Regarding the completion of your modules, please message you lecturer on the MoodleRooms module platform.