The Current | Vol. 32 Issue 1

February 6, 2 018 | nsucurrent.nova.edu 5 April 14, 2021 | ns ucurrent.nova.edu Welcome May 25 2021 | nsu current.nova.edu Edu ation Tech rentals at the library Alexander Martinie Opinions Editor Access to technology is an essential part of everyday life and is integral to our college experience. For students, NSU’s Alvin Sherman Library is a great way to access the technology that they need. The first floor of the Alvin Sherman Library offers best-selling fiction and nonfiction books for kids and young adults and is one of the places on campus where students have access to a variety of technological resources. From computers and printers to movies and video games, the Alvin Sherman Library has whatever students need for academics and entertainment. On the first floor, you can also find DVDs, BluRays, audiobooks and CDs. These can be checked out one at a time for seven days, per account. For video games, the library has a collection of Switch and PS4 consoles, as well as games for older consoles. The Alvin Sherman Library also offers two apps that students can use to download e-books and audiobooks using their library card or their SharkCard: RB Digital and Cloud Library. Through RB Digital and Cloud Library, students can access a variety of e-books and audiobooks on their phones or computers, and when the check-out period is over, the apps will automatically return the items. Kanopy is a database of films that the Alvin Sherman Library offers to students on campus. Through Kanopy, students have access to over 60,000 films, including documentaries, foreign and indie films and classic movies. Kanopy is only available to NSU students and can only be accessed on campus while connected to the NSU Wi- Fi. Outside of the library, the Office of Student Media also offers free movies and TV shows, original content, free on- campus access and free entertainment added every month. Student content can also be found on their YouTube channel. Channel 96 can only be accessed on campus. Students can use their SharkCards or NSU public library cards to check out, at most, 50 items from the Alvin Sherman Library. This includes five video games from the first-floor gaming selection, which can be rented for two weeks at a time, with a one-time renewal for an additional week if the item is not currently on hold. To renew a video game, follow the normal proceedings for renewing an item by going to the Alvin Sherman Library website or calling the circulation desk at 954-262-4601. Enhance your education Rick Esner News Editor If there is one thing to be learned from last year, it is that technology has become an essential part of education in the modern world. As such, as students, it is critical to use the technology around us to our advantage and help support our academic careers. Technology can help in a plethora of areas, whether it be in organization, reminders or tutoring. Here are some helpful websites and apps for those who want to up their educational experience and utilize technology. Zoom Whether you love it or hate it, it looks like Zoom will not be going anywhere anytime soon. Students have the option to attend a variety of courses via the BlendFlexmodel once again, and as such, it is essential that Zoom is downloaded on your personal computer or phone. While other educational institutes may use different meeting platforms, Zoom is the primary platform here at NSU. Canvas app While this one may seem obvious, there are a handful of students out there without the Canvas app. Canvas is the system professors at NSU use to communicate with students, assign homework, projects and exams and host discussions outside of the classroom. Super easy to use and a lifesaver in stressful situations, this app allows you to do anything like on the traditional website. Whether you are on the run or simply too lazy to get out of bed, this app can let you access the benefits of Canvas at your fingertips. Additionally, due to professors being more in touch with technology in the past year, Canvas is being used now more than ever. If you have the app downloaded on your phone, you may not even need a separate schedule for all your academic work. Microsoft Teams Every member of NSU has a Microsoft office account attached to their email, and as such, you have the access to all the platforms that Microsoft Office entails. One important platform offered is Microsoft Teams. Microsoft Teams works as an all-in-one platform for groups or organizations to not only upload documents, but to communicate and meet virtually. Imagine if Zoom and Google Drive had a baby. If you are looking to boost your organization’s meetings or just make gathering a little easier, consider using Microsoft Teams, which can be downloaded to your computer or accessed online. Mathway, Chegg, Slader, etc. These tutoring websites can be grade savers when it comes to certain classes. Some websites and apps require a subscription while others are totally free. These sites can work through tough practice problems with you and help increase your understanding of a topic. Quizlet This one comes in both website and app form and is essential to studying for classes. With Quizlet, you can create flashcards without having to physically go through hundreds of paper index cards. Quizlet also lets you see study sets from other people, so you can supplement your studying with people learning the same topic. A fun note about Quizlet is that it also has games to help you study, which can be a good way to relax while studying and still learning. GroupMe A true essential for college life, GroupMe acts as a texting app that connects people in group chats without having to worry about cross-compatibility between different phones. Returning students know how essential this app is, and new students will soon learn. With GroupMe, there is a form of direct and easy communication within all your important academic groups. Sooner or later, you will be a part of some group and be asked to join their GroupMe. So, get a head start and download it now. Finding success in online classes Nyla Whyte Contributing Writer Taking on a class that is fully online may be nerve-wracking at first, but with a little focus and self-discipline, online classes can be a breeze. Here are some things to keep in mind, and tips to be successful when taking fully online courses. Create a schedule In order to stay on track, you should set aside specific times for each of your online courses. Since online courses don’t have designated lecture times, it will be up to you to find time in your day to get your work done. Be sure to carve time out in your calendar or planner to work on each course and be vigilant about sticking to it. Often in online courses, the traditional attendance policy translates to assignment participation. If you’re not keeping up with the coursework, you’re not likely to get any reminders to stay on track. To avoid this, make an effort to participate when required and take advantage of any extra credit opportunities offered. Utilize the Canvas app Take some time to review the information for your course on Canvas. The class syllabus will be available through Canvas, but consider printing out a physical copy for yourself to highlight due dates and follow along as the semester progresses. If you download the Canvas app, you can set up notifications for when new assignments are posted. The Canvas app also displays a calendar and to-do list that show exactly what assignments are due on each day of the week, assuming your professor has this enabled (be sure to double-check that these functions work for your class before relying on them). Check Canvas every day. Your course information will be quick and easy to access from there and you’ll be able to catch any approaching due dates that you may have missed at first. Stay in touch Get in touch with your classmates using the class discussion boards. Consider starting a GroupMe for easier contact and to help each other stay up to date on deadlines. It’s not always necessary, but it’s often a good idea to get to know your fellow classmates in the case that there is a group project assigned. Reach out to your professors Lastly, and most importantly, keep in contact with your professors. Find out what your professors’ preferred methods of contact are, whether that be through email or Canvas messaging. Introduce yourself to them and learn their office hours. There is a lot less verbal interaction in fully online classes, which can sometimes make it easy for things to be lost in translation. Professors are usually very understanding of this, and will happily answer questions that you have on the course material. So, don’t hesitate to reach out with questions. Online Classes With permission to print from Flor Ana Mireles.