Zoom, Canvas, and Emails: CSULB Students Adjust to Virtual Learning

CSULB Students are struggling to adapt to a class-free learning experience. Life, as we had known so far, has been disrupted due to COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus. For many students, including those at the California State University of Long Beach, it has affected their education.

Cal State Long Beach announced the suspension of on-campus and in-person classes on March 11. The popular video chat platform ‘Zoom’ has replaced classrooms, advising hours have been moved to emails and all assignments are now on the online learning platform called Canvas. 

“I’ve never really been into online classes because I don’t do well without structured face time with my teacher. My friends say that theirs have assigned extra busy work so I guess I’m pretty lucky,” said Nathan Rusiniak, a student at Cal State Long Beach.

Some professors have gone the opposite route and have turned once required assignments into extra credit to help their students ease the transition to online learning. Appointments with academic advisors have been available via Zoom.

Not only has the Spring 2020 semester been disrupted, but the summer and fall classes will also be different. All summer courses have been moved online and the university is unsure if all classes will resume on campus come August.

“I feel virtual learning is more stressful than actually having a face to face class. I think because we are essentially doing classwork and homework it is a lot, and not being able to be in a learning environment can make it harder to concentrate on your studies,” said Iman Palm.

Virtual learning isn’t the only change Cal State Long Beach has made. Parking passes have been refunded, students have been offered alternative grading this semester, and the 2020 Graduation ceremony will be held online.

For updates, continue to follow Long Beach Local News.

By Casey N. Wilson

IG: _caseynwilson/