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Student Resources for Virtual Learning

Technology Resources for Students - Fall 2023

Welcome to the Fall 2023 Semester at CSUSB!  Your Information Technology Services (ITS) Team, in collaboration with the John M. Pfau Library Information Technology Team, and your local College IT Team, continues to roll out resources to help you to be successful as we all transition back to campus. Please see below for a list of some helpful resources.

Steps to Success

You will have many questions as you experience this type of new learning. It won't always be easy, but if you follow these steps, it can be as smooth as possible.

1. Your Well-Being Comes First

Self care is an crucial part of learning. Below, find resources that can help make sure your basic needs are met, both physically, mentally and emotionally during this challenging time.

 

2. Ease Your Transition with Services

The one thing we can count on during times of change is that sometimes we may need a little assistance. The services listed below will keep us connected with the resources we need to succeed.

3. Technology is Your Tool for Learning

Online learning uses different "stuff" than the in-person classroom. That means there are new strategies for success.

4. "Thrive" In Your New Virtual Classes

Your mindset and your self-discipline are going to be important now, more than ever. It may not always be easy, but education is worth it. These resources are here to support you as you take on this challenge.

 

Things to Do

  • Wash Hands Often
  • Practice Social Distancing

Don't

  • Meet in Groups
  • Shake Hands

Find Services

CSUSB is committed to student success. This page was made to provide resources and information to ensure our student’s success in learning in a virtual environment.

Digital Coyote OneCard and Photo Submissions Online 

Did you know you can access your digital Coyote OneCard through the GET Mobile app? Add funds in minutes using your credit/debit card.

Avoid the lines! You also now have the ability to submit your Coyote Photo online.

For more information on how to submit your Coyote Photo online and obtain the digital OneCard, visit https://www.csusb.edu/its/support/coyote-onecard  

Free SPSS Software 

IBM SPSS Software is now available at no cost to CSUSB students. To request the software, students need to click on the following links to request SPSS or to request AMOS.

Laptop Lending Program 

The John M. Pfau Library Laptop Lending Program is distributing laptops to students who need them. Students need to fill out a reservation form at: https://libguides.csusb.edu/laptopreserve. Palm Desert Campus students are able to pick up the laptop at the PDC. 

For additional information, please visit the John M. Pfau Library Laptop Lending website. 

eduroam Campus Wireless Network (WiFi) 

eduroam, our secure wireless network, is available to CSUSB students, faculty, staff and visitors. To connect to eduroam, enter your username/password in the following format: 

Username: CoyoteID@csusb.edu (NOTE: This is not your email address) 
Password: Your CSUSB Password 

Detailed instructions on how to configure your devices can be found in our knowledgebase article Connecting to Campus WiFi.

Adobe Creative Suite

Adobe has made its Creative Suite available to all students for only $19.99/year. Please visit our software page to take advantage of Adobe Creative Suite and all the software available to CSUSB students: https://www.csusb.edu/its/software/student-software

Free New York Times Subscription

You now have access to the New York Times! thanks to the collaborative partnership between the President’s Office, Associated Students Incorporated (ASI), the Faculty Center for Excellence (FCE), ITS, and the John M. Pfau Library.  Activate your access today

HETS Virtual Plaza

The Hispanic Educational Technology Resources (HETS) Virtual Plaza offers CSUSB students free access to over 300 online practice exams including the SAT, GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, NCLEX, LSAT, MCAT, and ASVAB.

You can log-in by visiting the Cengage Learning website and entering the code: calstate2013. Once logged in, select the Testing & Education Reference Center and then College Prep Tools from the menu. Additionally, CSUSB students can explore careers, scholarships, internships and financial aid opportunities.

Student Software

Many of the campus-licensed software such as Microsoft Office 365, ESET Antivirus, HETS Virtual Plaza, JMP, Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor, ArcGIS Online, will continue to be available to students for download at https://www.csusb.edu/its/software/student-software. 

Virtual Library Multimedia Center

The Virtual Library Multimedia Center has just about everything you need to produce great videos for your class assignments: free media production resources, quick how-to videos, and more. Our Media Services Specialist gives you one-on-one help with your DIY video questions and offers online workshops on video production. For more information, see: https://www.csusb.edu/library/services/library-media-services/virtual-library-multimedia-center

Check Out Audio-Visual Equipment

The Multimedia Center also offers an Audio-Visual Equipment Lending program, through which we loan digital SLR cameras, camcorders, GoPros, and more to CSUSB students with valid Coyote ID at no cost. For more information, see: https://www.csusb.edu/library/services/library-media-services/check-out-audio-visual-equipment

Technology Support

The Technology Support Center is available 24/7 at (909) 537-7677, support@csusb.edu and on the web at https://support.csusb.edu. 

Follow us on Twitter @CSUSBSupport, Instagram @csusbitssupport and Facebook @CSUSBSupport 

Learn About Zoom - Video Conferencing 

ITS Training Services offers the campus community assistance with Zoom, CSUSB's video conferencing tool.

Zoom unifies cloud video conferencing, simple online meetings, and group messaging. Zoom transforms the real-time collaboration experience and offers the best video, audio, and wireless screen-sharing experience across various platforms. The trainer will guide you through set-up, personal profile settings, and basic meeting scheduling.

In addition, ITS Training Services would also like to offer training sessions for the following tools in order to better prepare students for success in learning in a virtual environment.

 

ITS Trainings 

  • Microsoft Word Fundamental

  • Microsoft Word Intermediate

  • Microsoft Word Tips and Tricks

  • Microsoft Excel Fundamental

  • Microsoft Excel Intermediate

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Fundamental

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Tips and Trick

  • Microsoft Access

  • Qualtrics Basic

  • Qualtrics Intermediate

  • Qualtrics Tips and Trick

  • Zoom Video Conferencing

  • Microsoft Teams Intro

  • Microsoft Teams Tips and Tricks

All sessions will be held online, tune-in to the training virtually.

 

We highly encourage you to pre-register for these trainings before seats fill up!

Register for Training Sessions

If you have any questions please reach out to our team at itstrainingservices@csusb.edu or (909) 537-7425.

Basic computing skills needed

You don’t need to be a technical expert to succeed in a virtual learning environment or to navigate an online classroom. As long as you are able to do basic things on the internet such as search Google, navigate websites, and send email, you will do fine with navigating through Blackboard, the CSUSB learning management system.

Your courses may all be different

There are many different ways for your professors to deliver content and materials online.

  1. Synchronous delivery (live or real-time) delivery by Zoom: Your professor will have students join a “live” class using the Zoom web-conferencing app at the scheduled meeting time of the course. They may create breakout rooms during the sessions so groups of students can discuss course content before re-joining the main group.
  2. Asynchronous delivery: Your professor may post class materials (e.g. reading assignments, recorded lectures, quizzes, etc) on Blackboard where you can learn at your own pace. Assignments may have due dates and times to which you will need to adhere.

Be proactive about connecting with your professor

Your professors will deliver courses via different methods, so you need to be proactive on reaching out to your professor to understand their teaching method for a specific course.

You will also need to be proactive by reaching out for help. Your instructors won’t know what’s normal or abnormal for you.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

One major difference when it comes to online learning is being physically separated from your professor. It makes it harder for them to realize that you may require additional assistance. For example, if you are consistently receiving lower than expected grades on your assignments in a particular course, your instructor may assume that is just on par for the course for you. They don’t necessarily know you tend to perform better.

Be patient with your professor and your classmates

Students should recognize they may need to connect with their instructor by sending an email or picking up the phone. Online students need to have a certain amount of patience. For example, if you email your instructor, you may not get an immediate response. It may come a day later.

Even though you may be the only one at your computer, you are not alone. Just as with a face-to-face course, interactions with your peers and your instructor are critical to you having a rich, engaging experience in the course. Be sure to go out of your way to introduce yourself to others. These are the people with whom you will work throughout the quarter and it pays to build strong relationships. Don’t just say “hi” and retreat into seclusion. Stay in touch!