FAQ’s: Blended Learning due to COVID-19 Restrictions

Last updated: August 17, 2020

To ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff and to remain compliant with ministry-mandated guidelines, any course content that can be taught online, will be. In the Blended Learning format, students can expect:

• Daily instruction with personally guided practice and instructor feedback
• Interactive engagement with a supportive, creative community
• Multiple ways to communicate and exchange ideas with both teachers and classmates
• Diverse learning experiences
• Flexibility and opportunity to learn at your own pace
• Daily live demonstrations and video recordings of instructional sessions
• 24/7 access to review materials repeatedly
• Development of life-long, high-value skills such as self-discipline
• Earliest possible graduation dates and job-readiness without a prolonged delay
• Full training on COVID safety and hygiene guidelines

We have received a lot of questions from our student community around the blended learning approach, so we have compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions for your convenience. Don’t see your question answered below? Email [email protected] and we will respond to you within 1-2 working days.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How do CMU’s online classes work and what do I need to participate?

• CMU uses the Google for Education platform to safely and securely deliver course content and provide instruction. While a computer or laptop will provide the best online learning experience, students can participate in classes virtually using any device with internet access.
• Information is communicated through live video-enabled lectures and demonstrations. Lectures include screen sharing of a variety of educational materials. Students are provided with the products and materials necessary to complete their assignments remotely.
• All educational materials including, but not limited to, PowerPoint presentations, photographic examples, pre-recorded video demonstrations as well as examples, tips, guidelines and other educational reference documents, are made available to students on our online platform. They can be accessed 24/7 for repeated review.
• Student feedback, support, monitoring of progress and questions are addressed through distance learning methods including but not limited to both group instruction and individual tutoring sessions through our online platform as well as via email, phone calls, and video conference calls.

2. What if I have trouble learning online?

• Additional time and consideration for assignments will be given to students to address all challenges associated with distance learning versus on location. Teachers make themselves available for both group instruction and one-on-one follow up every day. This individualized approached will ensure and support each student’s ability to understand the content and practice that they have learned.
• Extensions and accommodations will also be given to students that are experiencing technical difficulties while adapting to new teaching technologies.
• In the event that communication methods are unreliable, live-stream video sessions will be recorded, and all screen-shared and other reference documents will be accessible 24/7, allowing students to review them repeatedly and learn at their own pace as may be required while caring for children and/or loved ones and/or while in different geographic regions and time zones.

3. Will we receive grades and diplomas online?

• As always, students will receive their grades and transcripts online. Diplomas are awarded upon successful program completion and given to students at CMU graduation ceremonies, which are currently on-hold due to COVID-19. Diplomas will be mailed to students who are unable or prefer not to attend their convocation ceremony.

4. Are classes being extended by the two weeks students were not in school and not online?

• Yes, classes will be extended to ensure the delivery of all curriculum, plus any additional time that may be required to deliver required in-person instruction including, but not limited to lab work and photoshoots, once the current restrictions are lifted.

5. Can I pause my studies?

• If you are unable to participate in CMU’s online classes, we will of course work with you to accommodate your needs so that you can resume your program as soon as possible. However, we encourage all students to participate in our online programs; continued learning and interactive engagement with our supportive, creative community will positively contribute to everyone’s overall health and well-being during this difficult time.
• Participation in online learning will also ensure continued advancement with minimal disruption to your future plans and opportunities, and the earliest possible graduation date and job-readiness without further prolonging delays.

6. Will new students with future start dates begin online or will classes be postponed?

• Programs that are scheduled to start while in-person instruction restrictions are in effect will commence through CMU’s online learning platform. CMU student makeup kits will be shipped directly to new students to ensure that they have all the products and materials needed to participate in their classes remotely.
• As soon as the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and we can resume in-class instruction, in-person class time will be scheduled to fully cover all outstanding program curriculum.

7. When will in-person classes on campus resume?

• Ontario has recently unveiled a plan to reopen postsecondary education through a phased approach. Ontario’s postsecondary institutions, including publicly assisted colleges and universities, private career colleges, and other institutions may reopen their campuses during the summer for priority in-person education and training on a pilot basis. This pilot is intended to support academically stranded students who, as a result of COVID-19 emergency response measures, were unable to complete their programs and graduate. Institutions may not, under this pilot, provide in-person instruction for programs that can otherwise be provided virtually. We will update all students with information about in-person class schedules as soon as this information becomes available.

8. Can I change my start date?

• If you are unable to start your program as scheduled, we will of course work with you to accommodate your needs so that you can begin classes as soon as possible. During this period of isolation, we strongly encourage all students to begin as scheduled through our online programs.
• Our virtual classes enable and guide students to be proactive, maintain new daily routines, establish and achieve goals, learn and practice skill-building activities, and regularly connect and engage with a supportive, creative community.
• As soon as the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and we can resume in-class instruction, in-person class time will be scheduled to fully cover all outstanding program curriculum.
• Participation in online learning will ensure advancement with minimal disruption to your future plans and opportunities, and the earliest possible graduation date and job-readiness without further prolonging delays.

9. How can the quality of my education at CMU be as good online?

• We fully understand that on-line training is not as desirable as in-class training. However, we believe starting and/or continuing your CMU studies online will be highly advantageous to you for several reasons:
• Award-winning and internationally acclaimed instructors
  Our internationally renowned faculty continue to teach in our virtual classrooms, providing the highest levels of quality education. This includes live lectures and demonstrations, guided learning application and practice through both group instruction and one-on-one follow up, as well as 24/7 access to recorded sessions, pre-recorded videos and a wide range of instructional reference materials.
• Health and well-being through continued learning and guided activity
  During this period of isolation, CMU’s online learning will positively contribute to students’ health and overall well-being. Our online classes enable and guide students to be proactive, maintain new daily routines, establish and achieve goals, learn and practice skill-building activities, and regularly connect and engage with a supportive, creative community.
• Job-readiness without prolonged delays
  We anticipate a surge in demand for makeup artistry services to meet the needs of both new and rescheduled productions and events when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Starting and/or continuing your CMU studies through our online learning platform will ensure your job-readiness with the earliest possible graduation dates.

10. How/when will the material that CANNOT be covered online, such as lab work and photoshoots, be made up in person?

• As soon as the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and we can resume in-class instruction, in-person class time will be scheduled to fully cover all outstanding program curriculum, including but not limited to lab work and photoshoots.
• We will provide all students with information about in-person classroom, lab and photoshoot schedules as soon as dates can be confirmed.

11. How would online courses impact my OSAP Eligibility for New Students?

• CMU College is a Private Postsecondary Institution Registered under the PCC Act, 2005 Temporary Alternative Training Measures. CMU College whose temporary alternative program delivery/accommodation plans have been approved by the Superintendent and are meeting the requirements for OSAP as laid out in the memo from the Superintendent from March 13, 2020, are authorized to continue accepting new students into these programs.

12. I am a frontline worker or I have small kids to take care for. The online classrooms may not work for me for the scheduled time. How would this impact my learning & attendance? What kind of support would I get or extra time to make up the lost time if decide to join online learning?

• Firstly, we would like to express our gratitude to all frontline workers like yourself for your tireless work during this exceptional time. We also empathize with parents who are having to juggle their responsibilities between work, school, and family. CMU is working with all current and future students to ensure flexibility in the online learning platforms.  Additional time and consideration for assignments will be given to students to address all challenges associated with your life circumstances. Teachers make themselves available for both group instruction and one-on-one follow up every day.