I SAT IN a TippFM Roadcaster as information trickled in from the States where An Taoiseach laid out plan to self-isolate the Republic of Ireland. Some of his guidance was already in place on the Clonmel Digital campus in the form of warning signs and planning to cancel face-to-face meetings with students.
Schools, Further Education Centres and Higher Education Institutions closed for students from 6pm on Thursday March 12th. But as a staff member, I am "encouraged to work from home per the advice from Health officials". This is challenging for me because I have to concurrently supervise the spontaneously activated online and flexible learning programmes of my two primary school children. I'm using skills developed over the past 17 years while working with young teens. [1]
And the physical premises of the LIT-Clonmel campus remains open to staff "if they wish to access the facilities in order to provide online delivery, or essential services once this is in line with HSE advice on social distancing" (see chart at top of post).