Which Website?

Sometimes, I forget where I am. I actually wake up confused for a moment. Then I realize that I am in my dorm room – not home. But that’s actually not what this article is about.

My fellow freshman Adam Gincel always questions, “You go to Stevens Institute of what?” And I answer, “Technology!” It’s something he reminds me of when I’m having a technological difficulties.

To be honest, I have no shame admitting that I am not super tech-savvy. It’s not like I suffer from technological difficulties such as turning on my computer, but it is taking me some time to get acclimated to using my Stevens laptop instead of my personal laptop from home. Becoming super comfortable on my Stevens laptop is actually at the top of my priorities. Using the Stevens laptop, programs, and websites comfortably is necessary for getting good grades in your courses here – which is different than my high school.

None of my teachers actually handed out syllabuses the first week of class. Violation of the Stevens Honor System? No! All of the information is available online. Which is great because my Stevens laptop is like my best friend, and I bring it with me everywhere I go, and I can always access the super speedy internet – but the question is where to go from there.

It alarmed me, at first, how many different websites and programs different courses were using. Here is list of what I understand thus far:

Moodle: Something that sounds like a modern type of pasta that is actually one of the older online learning platforms.

Canvas: Something you paint on, or the new system for online coursework for classes that aren’t still on Moodle.

Mastering Physics: $60 paid for an online homework, tutorial, and assessment product with a tutorial that taught me that avocado is a fruit.

WileyPlus: The place to do mathwork but you need a magnifying glass because the text gets smaller when you type more.

Virtual Learning Environment: Where you can access SolidWorks online, but still have no clue how to make a 3D box.

OWL: Something that people in Chemistry are constantly asking questions about.

On the whole, one thing I already know is that I should bring my laptop everywhere I go. My laptop should be like a security blanket. If I need to send an email, refer to a textbook, or do some online homework it should be done on a Stevens laptop.