5. Technology requirements
In Spring 2020 when CUNY campuses shut down due to COVID-19, all classes went fully online. Some classes met synchronously on a video conferencing tool, meaning that the class still met at specific days and times. Other classes met asynchronously, meaning that students did not have to "meet" at a certain day and time. As a result, students accessed most of their classes through the college's Learning Management System (LMS). At Queensborough Community College (QCC), the LMS is Blackboard. Honestly, it was a crazy time, but we all managed to get through it.
In a "normal" semester, you may have professors who do not use any technology at all. Other professors use a variety of tools, including Zoom, Google, Microsoft 365, Flipgrid, and many others. Some only use Blackboard, while other instructors use a combination of elearning tools and technologies.
Your syllabus, therefore, should have a section telling you what you will need to participate in the course, including reliable wifi and a computer. It may recommend a particular browser, such as Chrome or Firefox. This section may also direct you to a place where you can get assistance if you do not meet all the technology requirements for the course. The COVID-19 section of this website has this information. I can tell you this, however. Your phone is probably not a powerful enough tool for a course that is fully online. While it's great for communication and access to the internet, not all the applications you will use in your courses will work on your phone.
Sometimes the technology part of the course can present the greatest challenges so contact your professor if you are struggling in this area.
In a "normal" semester, you may have professors who do not use any technology at all. Other professors use a variety of tools, including Zoom, Google, Microsoft 365, Flipgrid, and many others. Some only use Blackboard, while other instructors use a combination of elearning tools and technologies.
Your syllabus, therefore, should have a section telling you what you will need to participate in the course, including reliable wifi and a computer. It may recommend a particular browser, such as Chrome or Firefox. This section may also direct you to a place where you can get assistance if you do not meet all the technology requirements for the course. The COVID-19 section of this website has this information. I can tell you this, however. Your phone is probably not a powerful enough tool for a course that is fully online. While it's great for communication and access to the internet, not all the applications you will use in your courses will work on your phone.
Sometimes the technology part of the course can present the greatest challenges so contact your professor if you are struggling in this area.