The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the lives of people around the world and, aside from its negative impacts on our health, has also affected the way students receive higher education by having to adapt to the new virtual learning environment. A lot of people are not fond of change because it can be nerve-wracking, stressful, and overwhelming. However, for most college freshmen, the transition from high school to university is what they have been waiting for, for years. Although they’re still able to attend classes online, COVID-19 has been a roadblock in their ability to achieve a college experience. For Thomas Napolitano, a freshman marketing major and baseball player, the … [Read more...] about Freshmen adapt to college in the midst of a pandemic
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Advice: Succeeding in online classes 101
With online classes now being the new normal, students have to adapt to this new change. Unfortunately, this poses a lot of challenges for students that aren't accustomed to this type of learning. Compared to in-person classes, online classes have the flexibility of doing work at your own pace and working independently, but for other students, traditional classroom learning is one of the key factors for their successes. As someone who prefers online classes and has been taking them ever since the start of college, I understand the struggles of online classes. While it's not for everyone, here are some ways that have helped me succeed in online classes and hopefully will help you as … [Read more...] about Advice: Succeeding in online classes 101
Work, teach, study, repeat: The life of CSUSB parent/student during the COVID-19 pandemic
“I have to spend the day with my children first and then I have to get to work,” says CSUSB student, Miriam Barajas. “It's tiring and I know it is my responsibility as a mother, but that does not make the situation any less difficult.” Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the university will continue with the virtual semester in the fall, while the fate of K-12 school learning mode remains to be determined. Miriam Barajas is 1 in 5 college students, who according to the U.S Department of Education, are parents. She is one of the parent students who are facing the struggle of having to be active members in their classrooms and that of their children. It’s important in times like these to … [Read more...] about Work, teach, study, repeat: The life of CSUSB parent/student during the COVID-19 pandemic
Will the show still go on?
CSUSB's 2020 Spring musical “Once Upon A Mattress" is in a state of limbo on whether or not the live performance will take place on campus. The hard-working cast and crew of the musical are pressing on forward given the current pandemic crisis. They hope to perform an actual live show during the Fall semester 2020, with a hint of the possibility of a cancellation again. Thomas Provenzano, the director of the spring musical, said, "We are open to many ideas -- but nothing is certain." There is discussion about how and what can be done concerning the presentation of the musical given the unknown nature of the pandemic timeline. Approximately a year of planning has gone into the … [Read more...] about Will the show still go on?
Students strive for distraction-free learning at home
Zoom meetings have become the new norm for many college students throughout the nation. However, this new way of learning can become very distracting for the students and professors. There are many potential distractions at home for students to succumb to in the middle of lectures. Some distractions might include the TV being on, the phone pinging with notifications, and pets and children who are seeking attention. It is difficult for everyone to not be on a college campus, inside a classroom where there are minimal distractions, and to know that there are consequences to be faced for those who conduct disruptive behavior for trying to distract others. While Zoom meetings are … [Read more...] about Students strive for distraction-free learning at home
Faculty senate held its first remote meeting
Senators and prominent guests discussed policies from a pre-approved agenda, questions on campus access, spring parking fees’ reimbursement, and the possibility of grading all students as pass or fail. The meeting took place on April 7, 2020. President Morales did not participate. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Shari McMahan, and Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs and Development, Seval Yilderim, along with the deans of various colleges, were in attendance. Senators and other meeting participants struggled to unmute and mute the microphone for when they were to speak. Quite often, the screen glitched making it difficult at times to hear when a Senator was … [Read more...] about Faculty senate held its first remote meeting
Simulated classroom learning
By Robert Klimper |Staff Writer| Faculty and students discuss the challenges and advantages of online courses in the light of students' demands and quality factors. Though online courses offer a more flexible schedule, it is not unheard of for students to feel a somewhat of a disconnect to the instructor of the courses as they can just be a wall of text with no face to face interaction. “I probably won’t take another [online course]...I would rather be able to speak to the teacher myself,” said Joscelyne Baisa, a freshman at CSUSB taking her first online course this quarter. CSUSB offers opportunities for professors and students to hold a simulated classroom environment with … [Read more...] about Simulated classroom learning