Students and faculty all over the country are using Zoom as their main platform to communicate during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Zoom website, “Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, collaboration, chat, and webinars across mobile devices, desktops, telephones, and room systems.” Zoom can be a great way to have an in-class experience while sitting comfortably in your own home. Users have access to many different opportunities and advantages while using the app, including the ability to record sessions, share screens, and keep in touch with peers and faculty. Although Zoom can be very beneficial during this pandemic when used properly, there are many reports of appalling behavior during online meetings worldwide. Our campus will continue to rely on Zoom to provide an experience for students similar to the in-class setting. Here’s what students at Sonoma State are thinking of Zoom so far.
“Zoom is working very well for me! My professors are doing a great job on informing everyone about assignments due. Even though the situation is unfortunate, I’m glad that we are able to have some sort of communication that’s similar to being in class. I definitely miss my classmates and philosophy discussions, but other than that, Zoom has been a good experience for me so far.”
-Meghan Berggren , First Year, Philosophy major
“I think zoom is harder to follow along with and I feel that the distractions are limitless when at home.”
-Joseph Berljafa, Second Year, Business major
“My personal experience transitioning to Zoom has been difficult. Almost all of my teachers decided to go asynchronous, so now that we no longer have class meetings and just get our assignments from Canvas, it makes learning the material and staying on top of things a lot more stressful.”
-Brooklyn Nunez, Third Year, Undeclared
“Overall, it’s going well. At first, the idea of using zoom was slightly weird to me. In the beginning, I would forget that I had a zoom meeting for a class or had homework due that day. But, as soon as I kept myself on top of things and became well-organized with my school work, I adjusted to it just fine.”
-Anayeli Sanchez, Third Year, Criminal Justice major
“I think everyone is doing their best to make the most of moving to online sessions, but there is still going to be a disconnect from students and their professors. We are all still trying to get used to this change, but I think everyone is struggling and their grades will be a reflection of how well students were able to adapt/overcome their own personal struggles.”
-Lauren Wenner , Third Year, Biology major
“It’s hard to keep up with deadlines and school work without having an in-person interaction. It’s not the best situation, but I’m grateful we get to finish the semester.”
-Jessica Irene Wood, Third year, Computer Science major
