Covid-19 affects how students use NWU computer labs

The North-West University (NWU) Potchefstroom campus has set up a different system, compared to what it was before Covid-19, for students who want to use its computer laboratories.

For some students the system works well, but others think some aspects need attention.

Students have to book and reserve computers for work use. The new system has proven to be problematic for some of the students who rely on the university-supplied computer labs as it affects them when they have to complete assignments.

The changed system was introduced due to the Covid-19 regulation that restricts the number of people who are allowed to gathering in one place without social distancing precautions, and formerly, the curfew times, which also aimed to reduce social interactions.

As the country moved from lockdown level two to an eased lockdown level one on 1 October 2021, the NWU also eased the curfew times of the computer labs. 

However, for some students, the transition from normal operating hours to specific operating hours at some of the computer labs has been a serious concern, especially to those students who live in private accommodation and do not have free access to the internet as well as electronic study materials.

NWU students are limited to only using four computer labs on campus. These labs are only available when online reservations have been made. 

The E7 computers are only permitted to students from 08:00 am till 10:00 pm. The G1 and G4 computer labs are strictly reserved for students who make an online booking. Students are given two-hour restrictions for computer use however, they are permitted to book twice in one day (which restricts them to four hours in a day).

Orefile Phiri (21), a BA Communication student, visited the labs earlier in the semester to check which labs were operating and how to get access to the labs.

 She confirmed that most of the computer labs are closed but some are operating. The only ones that are operating are in Building E7 ( Ferdinand Postma Library building),  Building G1 (Natural Sciences building) room 113 and room 117 and Building G4 (room 204) under set conditions. 

In a survey conducted by threestreamsmedia, that aimed to evaluate how students were affected by the computer lab restrictions, four out of six students complained that the time limits placed on the use of computers affected them negatively because they needed over fourhours to complete their school work. 

Priska Napo (22) a BSc honours student in the field of ecological interactions and ecosystems resilience said “The G1 labs close at 5pm and that’s usually the time when my brain is at its optimum. I find myself having to leave my work halfway and this sometimes leads to a loss of ideas or flow especially when writing research reports .”

Tshireletso Moroke, an IT assistant at the NWU who assists students who make use of the labs said: “Some students complain about the limited time they are allowed to spend in the lab because they require even more time to complete their school work.” 

He added that students are unable to complete their school work later because they do not have personal computers.

Napo explained that it is important for her as an honours student to have a stable internet connection and unlimited time to use the computer labs for research purposes. “Using the labs for research purposes makes it easier to access articles from NWU sources than on my computer and broadens research options,” she said. 

Constance Moholo (25), a BA Communication student, emphasised that labs used to work around the clock and it was beneficial for students. 

“Labs were operating 24/7 and we were allowed to cross night (work through the night) at the labs which made things easier for us as we were able to balance our social life and academics without pressure and stress,” she said. 

Many students were hoping that with lockdown level one and two, things would change for the better and student life on campus would get back to normal.

Despite the concerns a majority of students said they were happy with the ease of the booking system and that the functionality at the labs was good.

The booking times for the computer labs at Building G1 are: G1-113  from 10:30 am to 12: 30am & 15:30 pm to 17:30 pm, G1-117 from 10;30 am to 12:30 am & 15:30pm to 17:30pm and G4-201 from 10:30 am to 12:30 am &15:30 pm to 17:30 pm. Potchefstroom students are encouraged to book and reserve space using the VERALAB booking service.

At the time of writing, the NWU manager responsible for the the labs was not available to comment. – Khanyisile Mahlangu, Keitumetse Makgala, Kamohelo Mollo, Orefile Phiri