All face-to-face Writing Center tutoring takes place on a walk-in basis. No appointment necessary!
Appointments are required for online sessions held through our Virtual Writing Center. Learn how to schedule your appointment here.
It is your paper. Research shows that students who make their own corrections are more likely to remember what they have learned than students who have others mark up their papers for them. At the Writing Center, we want you to get a higher grade on the assignment you've brought to us, but more importantly, we want you to learn the concepts that will enable you to get higher grades on all your subsequent assignments.
All tutoring is provided free of charge (you are already paying for it with your tuition and fees, so you might as well come in and get your money's worth!).
Instructors receive an electronic feedback form sent directly to their email account.
You will need to be able to provide your 7-digit AACC Student ID, your instructor's name and your course number.
Not at all. You are encouraged to bring multiple drafts of an assignment to the Writing Center.
Yes. Students frequently come to the Writing Center with essays or personal statements for transfer or scholarships.
Members of the public are welcome at the Writing Center. Our Virtual Writing Center sessions are intended for current AACC students completing AACC coursework or personal essays for transfer or scholarships.
Most sessions last approximately 30 minutes. If there is no waiting list, tutors can extend sessions at their discretion.
You can use the computers and printers in the Technology Learning Center at Arnold or the computer lab at Arundel Mills. Computers in the Writing Center are exclusively for use by tutors.
It is nearly impossible to help someone improve his or her writing without knowing what that individual is trying to accomplish.
Proofreading is going through one's draft to find typos and errors in punctuation, grammar, mechanics and usage. The assumption is that the writer knows how to avoid these errors. Proofreading is a student's responsibility, but tutors can teach students proofreading strategies they can employ on their own.
Just ask! Tutors will be glad to help you locate errors in grammar, mechanics and style, and then teach you how to correct these errors.
From any Canvas course, click on "Enroll in Virtual Writing Center" on the main navigation bar. "Virtual Writing Center" will appear in your course list. Follow the prompts to complete the Orientation Module and Readiness Survey and schedule an appointment.
Skype with a whiteboard instead of a webcam. You and the tutor will talk to each other in real time using your computer's microphone and speakers (or your cell phone, if you prefer to teleconference into the session) while both of you can see your essay on the whiteboard. Your tutor will go through your paper with you, making sure you understand how to improve the areas you identify as your priorities for seeking help. Plan on taking notes, as it is unlikely that you will be able to make all of the changes during the session itself.
Both services are staffed by AACC faculty and offer the same high-level assistance with papers in any course. Here are a few differences: Virtual Writing Center sessions take place online, while Writing Center sessions are held in person at AACC's Truxal Library Room 136, or Arundel Mills Room 204. Virtual Writing Center sessions are by appointment, while the Writing Center serves students on a walk-in basis. The Virtual Writing Center allows students to schedule an appointment with a research librarian for assistance with finding, evaluating and citing sources.
Smarthinking is a corporate vendor, while the Virtual Writing Center was developed by AACC to serve our students. All VWC tutors are faculty who are familiar with AACC's courses, programs and resources. Also, Smarthinking's services are asynchronous: students email a paper to Smarthinking and receive comments a few days later. At the VWC, students work with a faculty member in real time, and rather than editing your paper for you, we teach you how to improve your writing. We're also able to answer any questions you might have and to make sure you understand the rules and reasons behind our suggestions.
At AACC'S Virtual Writing Center, we want to talk and work with you in real time to make sure you really understand the suggestions we are making. Smarthinking allows you to work by email, if that is your preference.
Once you have completed the Orientation Module and earned 100 percent on the Readiness Survey, you always will have access to the scheduling application. To schedule an appointment, just click on Modules and choose "Schedule an Appointment with a Writing Tutor or Research Librarian." You will continue to have access to the Orientation Module for reference.
Review the Orientation Module and take it again! All of the answers are in the Orientation Module and students are permitted to make multiple attempts.
If you did not type your email correctly when you booked your appointment, you will not receive a confirmation email or have access to the cancellation link should you need to cancel. Email Jessica Rabin, Ph.D., at jgrabin@aacc.edu for information about your appointment. And be sure to type your email address carefully!
We're glad to provide you with as much help as you need. It is fine to schedule multiple appointments at the same time, but be sure that you've given yourself time to make revisions after each session. Be careful – students who schedule multiple appointments are more likely to forget about an appointment, resulting in an attendance warning and potentially loss of access to the Virtual Writing Center. Because students are expected to revise their work in accordance with the assistance they receive each session, scheduling two Writing Tutor appointments back-to-back or on the same day is not permitted. (It is fine to schedule a Writing Tutor and a Research Librarian appointment on the same day.)
All in-person tutoring takes place on a walk-in basis. The scheduling link is for Virtual Writing Center online tutoring only.
Absolutely!
Absolutely!
When you book your appointment, you will receive a confirmation email which includes a cancellation link. Click on the link to cancel. Keep in mind cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
At least 12 hours before your session time, you will receive an email from "Tutor Name via YuJa" with the subject line "You've been invited to a YuJa Meeting by Tutor Name." This message will contain the link you will use to access your session at the scheduled time. Fifteen minutes before your scheduled appointment time, you can click on this link to access your session. For details, review the page in the Orientation Module entitled "How to Attend a Tutoring Session."
Check the email account that you entered when you booked the appointment. If you are not in the tutoring environment when your session is scheduled to begin, your tutor will send an email to the address you provided and will guide you through any difficulties you are experiencing.