LAKELAND, Fla. — With its classrooms closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, Southeastern University in Lakeland took its course offerings online via virtual classes on Tuesday.

Professors at the university received special technical training Monday so they would be prepared to stream their classes to students. 

Professor Aaron Ross used Google's Meetup platform to teach his class about how to read the gospels. Students connected from their dorms or homes and were able to send chat messages when they had questions or comments.

They could also make comments or ask questions by video. 

Ross said the interactive nature of the format held students’ attention.

“It doesn’t let them zone out quite so quickly while just looking at a screen and watching,” he said.

The university said most of the around 1,500 students living on campus were now attending classes virtually. 

Student Kayla Ferreira said she took part in an early morning class while still in bed.

“Just turned on the camera and had all my classmates see me with bedhead, but I’m sure they all looked the same way too,” Ferreira explained.

She went on to say she could get used to the new approach to taking classes.

“It’s actually been a lot of fun," Ferreira said. "I kind of enjoy doing it from the comfort of my own bed. It’s kind of like living the college life but from my room. It’s a lot of fun.”​