I just realized that I haven’t posted anything for the month of September!
School has kept me busy.
The pandemic edition of the fall semester made me realize a few things:
- Remote learning is certainly doable… but not for all subjects/fields
- Technology issues can hamper the learning material
- In addition to being a student, I’m also my own IT specialist haha
On one hand, I’m grateful that I’m able to finish up my final semester of undergrad, even though it’s online. But on the other hand, doing most of it online from my home has been a struggle.
It definitely feels more lonely. I regularly hold virtual meetings with friends and colleagues, but nothing really beats being with them in person. Some things just don’t translate well or can’t be done over remote learning (ex. Zoom). For example, I’m still expected to work on my senior design project in-person despite the pandemic. Can’t imagine doing it ALL online. So far it’s going well, but I wonder how the future senior design group is doing. Are they all doing simulations? Are they able to meet up and make something? I know that some sponsors had to pull out of the senior design program due to COVID-19. I get the feeling that some students had to come up with their own projects.
Everything just feels so up in the air.
Speaking of technology, let’s talk about lag! First of all, I have great professors. It’s been a pleasure and an honor to be taught by very knowledgeable people. However, sometimes the internet connection suffers and they get cut off/lag/or even disconnect entirely.
Somewhere during the end of September, I somehow became the host for one of my Zoom classes when the professor’s internet died (it was great, I said, “I am the captain of this ship” before the professor came back about 15 minutes later).
I understand that it’s not my professor’s fault for the tech issues. Because I’m also having similar issues.
When Microsoft 365 was down (I believe it was last Wednesday on September 30, 2020), I couldn’t log into Canvas to submit my homework. In fact, no one* at San Diego State University could log into Canvas, Blackboard, or anything that required that Microsoft 365 login.
*if you were still logged-in before the Microsoft 365 went down, you were fine (from my understand)
I emailed my professor about the situation (like a bunch of other students haha, I would imagine haha). Unsurprisingly, I still couldn’t log in. BUT! I was still logged in to Canvas on my phone, and I managed to submit my assignment from there.
Anyway.
At the end of the day, I think we’re all trying our best to get by. I’m almost at the halfway point of my semester. Exciting!
Roselynn Conrady 