Long Beach City College students shared mixed emotions about an email sent on Wednesday, March 11, that notified students, employees and faculty all in-person classes were transitioning to an online format.
The reason for this transition is prevention of the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.
This period is expected to last from March 17 to June 8, for LBCC employees and until June 10 for all students, according to the email.
Though there has not been any confirmed cases of coronavirus at LBCC, the school decided to take precaution and close down the Liberal Arts and Pacific Coast campuses to avoid any spreading of the virus.
Students who are used to in-person classes now have to learn from home, just as they would at school.
Karina Guizar, who’s a third year student at LBCC, described her reaction to the email, “At first, I was a bit relieved, due to everything going on, but was also upset, because I signed up for in-class sessions, because I know I know online doesn’t work for me.”
Guizar wasn’t the only one who was relieved, Ronn Orden, who is also a third year LBCC student, said “My initial reaction was that I was glad that they finally made classes online. Prior to them sending that email, their only response was that it’s not serious and there are no cases at LBCC, so classes will continue as usual, yet all other colleges were beginning to close in person classes. I was relieved, but also a little scared because the situation is getting out of control.”
Christian Alcantara, who is in his second-to-last semester at LBCC, said, “LBCC made the right decision in moving most of the classes online. Large gatherings are not recommended at this time and social distancing can help slow down the spread of the virus.”
Guizar spoke on the school’s intentions for closing the school down “I think they had good intentions with it, so it was the right thing to keep students and staff in good health. Although, as of grades and our education, I think it was a bad move because most students can’t learn in a virtual environment.”
Guizar also added a potential solution, “They should, at least, curve grades, for those who didn’t sign up for online classes.”
It won’t just be Guizar who’s going to struggle with online classes, both Orden and Alcantara said that they will struggle with the transition to online classes and maintaining their grades.
Orden said, “It will be difficult to maintain my grades, because all of my classes require me to be there, such as physics and chemistry. I once took a one unit online class and it was hard to keep up with the work and find the motivation, so imagine how 15 units will affect them. I’m planning on transferring next semester to CSULB, so I’m a bit worried about my classes, but I’d rather be safe and work extra hard to maintain them and not complain about these inconveniences. Health and safety always comes first.”
When asked about the difficulty of maintaining his grades when transitioning to online classes, Alcantara said, “Yes, it will be difficult to maintain my grades, this period. I took an online class before and I told myself ‘I’m never taking one again’. I have 3 classes that are online now. I prefer to learn in a classroom setting, but I trust that my professors will make the transition work for their students.”
For updates on topic relating to LBCC and the connection to coronavirus, visit www.LBCC.edu/Coronavirus.