Cal State Long Beach students have united. We may seem apathetic in the political and social spectrums, but there is something that is equally and universally hated by several students at CSULB: BeachBoard. Unfortunately though, our deep disliking of the obnoxious and irritating Web site may be misguided.
It was created with the kindest of intentions in the ’90s and, in theory, it should be a useful tool that enables students to better communicate with their professors and classmates. In actuality, BeachBoard can be a hindrance for students, acting as a mechanism for separating students from accessing course documents, work and professors instead of connecting us to them.
As a response to the myriad of troublesome issues, students have attempted to establish patterns to explain the problems they experience with the Web site, many of which are apparently erroneous.
One myth that has been floating around campus explains the inherent problems with BeachBoard is that Mac computers are more prone to problems with connecting and accessing information on the Web site.
Other less popular claims include the idea that while other schools have two to three servers providing access to their campus’ Web sites, CSULB only has one. Then there is, of course, the most appealing yet untrue explanation of the three: The Web site intentionally drives students mad and so we are less likely to nag and complain to professors about accessing documents and assignments. Teachers would be able to claim, “Hey, we’re doing all we can. It’s you that’s the problem.”
Unfortunately, none of these fables are true. According to two students working at the Technology Help Desk at the Steve and Nini Horn Center (the place you’re supposed to go to get help and advice on computer problems), there is not a pattern of computers being prone to problems with the Web site. The most common problem students have with connecting is using the wrong kind of browser (the program that allows you to view Internet content) and the kind of connection students use in accessing the Internet, according to the students working at the Help Desk.
Dial-up connections pose the most problems with accessing the Web site, and the browser that is the most problematic in providing a connection to it is AOL, according to the students at the Help Desk. Also, despite the myths, there may be between three and four servers working to connect students to BeachBoard.
The most common complaint the Help Desk receives, according to the students working there, is that many students forget their passwords and cannot log in to the Web site.
BeachBoard is a tremendously effective tool. Instead of complaining about it, let’s take the time to understand how it works and how to use it. We also need to use the facilities available on campus that help students with understanding this kind of technology. After all, that’s what they’re there for.
