Term 2 was due to commence on April 20th, however with the ongoing corona virus situation and the sensible rules limiting gatherings of people to groups of no more than two, it is improbable that we will be able to conduct face to face meetings for some time. Knox City Council have also precluded us from using Parkhills, Carrington Park Leisure Centre and the Basin Senior Citizens hall until further notice. Therefore, until these rules are relaxed, we cannot operate normal classes or outdoor activities.
This gives us no option other than to cancel
normal classes for term 2.
Hopefully, we can resume in Term 3, which is scheduled to commence on July 13.
In the meantime, some classes are continuing to run in a modified format via video technology. The feedback from tutors has been positive so far.
There are several free video meeting programs, including MS Teams(free), Skype, and Zoom.
Most of our tutors who are running modified classes currently are using a free version of Zoom.
It is relatively easy to use, although like some software programs, it does have security vulnerabilities (some of the known problems have been sorted in recent software updates).
Most of the above free video meeting programs can be used on computers, laptops and tablets. It is great to share conversation and see the friendly faces from your class whilst you continue with your studies. For Telstra and Optus internet clients, these companies are allowing unlimited download of data until the end of April.
As well as continuing classes, isome new video classes will eventuate, including some on how to uses the above communication programs. You will be advised of this via email, our website and Newsletter.
It is important to stay in touch with each other in this time of isolation, so please let us know anything that your class is doing; just a few lines is enough.
You can post it on U3A Knox Facebook page, our moderator will look at everything and post it for all to see.
Otherwise, email your article to our Newsletter editor newsletter@u3aknox.org.au, or send it to me president@u3aknox.org.au
Please keep checking our website www.u3aknox.org.au and Facebook page for any newsy updates.
On behalf of your Committee of Management, I thank you for your patience and trust that you are keeping well and keeping in touch with your “classmates”