In light of complicated developments of coronavirus pandemic, like many other physical training and sports units, the Faculty of Physical Education (PE) of the University of Da Nang (UDN) has encountered many difficulties in teaching and learning activities over the past 2 years. However, the faculty has made best efforts to ensure physical activity and physical education for students of its member schools.

Students from the University of Da Nang at a physical education class (Photo taken at the time when there was no COVID-19). Photo: X.S

Safe adaption to COVID-19 pandemic

According to Master Vo Dinh Hop, Dean of the Faculty of PE, PE teaching is traditionally done in the form of physical activities that are monitored directly by the teacher. However, campus closures prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic have posed a challenge for the faculty’s teaching staff in making timetables and preparing for lesson plans. Also, online learning creates difficulties for PE teachers because teachers cannot be as effective as role models in demonstrating good and correct physical exercise programmes.

Mr Hop, added, during the time of social distancing, the faculty arranged specific online PE schedules and organized PE programmes that were suitable to the specific situations and conditions of each member school of UDN, and its affiliated training unit.

Specifically, since August 2021, the faculty has organized online tests for the remaining students of the previous courses.

As for students enrolled to UDN’s member schools in 2020 and 2021, the unit has urgently organized online teaching programmes, recorded instructional videos, and  built a question bank for tests/quizzes so that students can be certified to complete the PE module, thereby qualifying for graduation, and limiting the backlog of certificates.

In October 2021, leaders of the Faculty participated in the webinar "Challenges and Opportunities in Online Training" with representatives from the PE Centres of the Viet Nam National Universities based in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, and the Can Tho University.

The workshop also was an important opportunity for interactive experiences and reflections on teaching practice and created contact networks that can support teachers. The events of the workshop can help to improve teaching, encourage teachers, and share successful teaching strategies to solve difficulties.

Master Vo Dinh Hop said that currently 39 teachers of the faculty are distributed to teach in UDN’s member schools, namely the University of Education, the University of Science and Technology, the University of Economics, the University of Technical Education, and the University of Foreign Language Studies, the the Viet Nam-Korea Information Technology and Communications University, the Viet Nam-UK Institute for Research and Education, and the Faculty of Medicine – Pharmacy with an average number of 24,000 students/teaching course within 2 years.

Towards online PE teaching for some subjects

In addition to the limitations compared to direct teaching, the online teaching of PE amid COVID-19 crisis has some advantages.

For example, students who learn physical education online tend to boldly discuss with their instructors immediately through the chat system. Online teaching gives PE teachers the opportunity to innovate teaching methods and improve their information technology skills.

Student Nguyen Thi Xuan Mai from the Faculty of Biology - Environment of the Da Nang University of Education, highlighted some benefits of online PE, including helping students save travel time to PE units, and easily interact with lecturers in wake of COVID-19. However, she stressed the need for each student to uphold a sense of self-discipline and overcome inertia while studying online to meet the requirements of the subject.

Master Vo Dinh Hop said that his faculty considers the positive results of online PE in recent years as an opportunity to make orientations and innovate PE teaching ways for UDN students.

“In the new normal, except for sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, and endurance running still have to be taught and tested directly, other subjects that do not require yard space and use exercise equipment can go online for a long time because it is suitable for living conditions with the current pandemic” added Mr Hop.

Reporting by XUAN SON - Translating by M.DUNG