Reinventing the Writing Center

1
Reinventing the Writing Center

• Serving Distance Learners Through Online Tutoring

2
Addressing University Needs

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) instructors
  recognized need
• Distance learners inquired about tutoring
  services
• Short-term Plan pilot with MSN classes
• Long-term Plan expand to accommodate all
  distance learners

3
Developing Bb Site

• Created site with course designation
• Controlled enrollment in courses
• Used Horizon Wimba tools

4
Service Details

• Tutoring available for students in three MSN
  courses
• Students can have one 45-minute appointment per
  week
• Instructor receives e-mail notification of
  appointment

5
Tutoring Session Policies

• Tutor and student view students paper
  simultaneously
• Student identifies session goals
• Tutor works with student on any aspect of writing
• Tutor does not edit, proofread, or write any part
  of students work

6
Expectations and Concerns

• Student usage
• Student expectations
• Interpersonal communication
• Mental and emotional strain

7
Outcomes

• Usage exceeds expectations
• Technical difficulties are easily resolved
• Communication occurs despite physical disconnect
• Sessions are creative and productive
• Success outweighs mental and physical costs

8
Challenges

• Navigation
• Lag time
• Java and voice tools
• Window overload

9
Achievements Success Stories

• Technology Anxiety
• Impersonality and Isolation
• Writing Anxiety

10
Session Feedback Forms

• Blackboard Sample
• Results
• Satisfaction Ratings
• Students Suggestions

11
Results for Pre-Pilot Evaluation
Do you plan to use this service?
12
Results for Pre-Pilot Evaluation (cont.)

• What do you plan to use this service for?
• APA Format - 12
• Organization and Flow - 5
• Sentence Structure - 4
• Grammar - 4
• Other - 8

13
Mid-Semester Evaluation for Student Users

• Reason for using service
• Wanted reassurance that I was using the APA
  format correctly
• Most helpful aspect
• Having some one else read your paper to see if
  they understand it
• Problematic features of service
• Trying to figure out how to drop the paper and
  waiting the 5 minutes

14
Mid-Semester Evaluation for Non-Users

• Reasons for not using service
• Time Management
• Paper Schedule
• Suggestions
• Provide tips for finding secondary sources

15
Changes Considered

• Evening Hours
• Drop-In Hours
• Voice Tools
• Live Classroom