CSUSB makes resources more accessible during virtual learning

Student necessities can be expensive, and with the cost of academic resources increasing, CSUSB has found a way to allow its students to access free or discounted technological services. 

Information Technology Services (ITS) has collaborated with John M. Pfau Library Information Technology Team, and the local College IT Team to roll out resources and to help students be successful in this new learning environment says an email issued by Samuel Sudhakar to students and colleagues.   

Some of the resources the email expressed are:

• MATLAB, Mathematica 
• Coyote Labs: Virtual Computer Labs
• Student Software – anti virus protection 
• Laptop Lending program
• Internet access and technical support due to COVID-19

“I had seen those emails from the school and I finally clicked on it and saw how much free resources the school had offered. I downloaded an antivirus software for my laptop, and it was free,” says Karina Rodriguez, a senior at CSUSB.

Due to COVID-19 more services are being offered to help students transition to online classes. Coyote virtual labs lets students access computer labs remotely from just a web browser, just log in and you can access all the software as if you are physically there. Adobe Creative Cloud is a collection of 20 plus apps and services for photography, design, video, etc. It is a resource that is $500 or more yearly and it is offered to students for just 20 dollars for the year. This resource has now been made temporarily free so students continue to work from home since they cannot access computer labs. 

Beth Jackson, a senior at CSUSB, has found these resources to be a life saver.

“When I found out that ITS has a free software page, I immediately went to it and found the adobe creative cloud. As a communications major I found this resource really helpful and it was at a great price,” says Jackson. 

CSUSB offers students, staff, and faculty resources. Academic technologies and innovation offers experienced and qualified experts to help increase faulty knowledge and achieve their instructional goals. They offer workshops, appointments with an instructional advisor and faculty peer advising. Another resource offered is ITS training which provides hands-on workshops for faculty as well as students.

Apart from apps, CSUSB offers other services through librarians, who are online to offer research and library assistance. Since campus is closed, we cannot go up to the librarian and ask them questions. There is the librarian chat service  where librarians can answer research questions and library related questions with available times being Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m.-6pm, Fridays  from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Students can also schedule an appointment, ask 24-hour librarians, email and text a question to 909-542-8990. 

“Now that I can’t go to the library and get help it’s been tough to do my research papers, I’m really grateful that I can still access a librarian for help,” says Alex Perez, a sophomore at CSUSB.

The Pfau library contains a film collection where students and faculty can stream thousands of films courtesy of CSUSB. Kanopy is an on-demand streaming video service for public libraries and universities that offers films and documentaries. “I started using Kanopy in my film class, my professor would have us look at films using Kanopy and I liked it, so now I just watch films that I think are interesting,” says Perez. 

Most students may not know where to find these services. The software can be found by typing in the Information Technology Services (ITS) on CSUSB website and clicking on the tab software. The student software page has information about the different types of software and also gives instructions on how to download it. Students can call, email or visit ITS with any questions on how to access all the resources.