Elizabeth NesiusWriting Center Coordinator

Passaic County Community College

The Hybrid Tutoring Experience: The Path to Better Writers

Colleges too often view online and face-to-face tutoring as completely separate and

even in opposition to each other.

This presentation will discuss using online tutoring in conjunction with face-to-face tutoring as two halves of a complete tutoring experience. We will look at the PCCC Writing Center’s combination of the use of eTutoring with face-to-face tutoring to help students improve not only individual papers, but also their writing in general.

Historical Backdrop

In 2007, a Title V Grant was awarded to Passaic County Community College to fund the creation of a writing intensive program.20 interdisciplinary, multi-section writing intensive courses are being developed over 5 years.A writing center was created to support these courses.

PCCC Writing Center

The mission of the PCCC Writing Center is to support students taking writing intensive courses.A secondary function of the Center is to offer tutoring for students preparing to take the College Writing Exam.

College Writing Exam

The College Writing Exam (CWE) is a graduation requirement for all PCCC students. For the CWE, students are asked to write a five paragraph essay of at least 450 words about a general topic or a topic from their major. Students have two hours to compose a coherent, college level essay on one of the two topics. (The topics are not given in advance.)

Creation of the Hybrid System

Face-to-Face tutoring is traditional methodOnline tutoring is becoming increasingly popular at many schoolsPCCC used online tutoring to support students in writing before the Writing Center; no face-to-face facility for college level students.

Creation of the Hybrid System

Neither system satisfactory to all studentsWith the creation of the Writing Intensive program, it became apparent that the best system for the students would be a combination of online and face-to-face tutoring.

Face-to-Face Tutoring

Writing Intensive CoursesStudents receive help with all writing assignmentsHelp offered at all stages, from prewriting to development to revisionStudents also get help with research, information literacy, and grammar

Face-to-Face Tutoring

CWEStudents preparing for the CWE given chance to practice with topics similar to those on the examHelp offered for several stages: prewriting, writing, and proofreading.The focus is on creating a passable product in a 2 hour period.

Face-to-Face Tutoring

Workshops on a variety of writing topics offered for small groups. Topics include:

Academic WritingVarious stages of the writing processResearch and information literacyGrammar topicsExam preparation

Making an Appointment

Students make appointments through an online scheduling interface.WC Online allows students to pick time and date as well as the tutor they would like to meet withThey can access the schedule from anywhere and make appointments 24/7

Online Tutoring

Online tutoring offered to all PCCC students through eTutoring.orgWriting Center tutors trained to be etutors as well as face-to-face tutorsStudents in Writing Intensive courses required to use eTutoring at least twice during the course

eTutoring.org

Online tutoring system made of several consortiums nationwide.

30+ colleges in the Northeast ConsortiumMade up of both 2 and 4-year colleges

Shared resources; each college provides tutorsWriting tutoring asynchronous: submission and response system

eTutoring.org

Tutors address essays from any of the participating collegesTutors address essays on any subject. Students may submit any single assignment up to 3 times for commentsTutors have specific guidelines on what to address for each draft (1st, 2nd, 3rd)Comments in the form of a 1 page letter at the beginning and embedded comments throughout

Face-to-Face vs. Online

Benefits: Face-to-Face

One-on-one time with a living person Ability to ask questions on the spotStudents make physical corrections to papers rather than tutorsHelp for people uncomfortable with or don’t have access to computers

Benefits: eTutoring

24/7 access for students Remote access

Distance and online studentsSchool closingsTravel

Fast turnaround of essays: 24-48 hoursGood for students uncomfortable working face-to-face

Face-to-Face vs. Online

Benefits: Face-to-Face

Ability to make appointments; students guaranteed a specific time slotStudents get as much help as desired for assignmentsStudents choose tutor they prefer to work with

Benefits: eTutoring

Several points of view on a single assignment: Essays submitted for multiple drafts have a different tutor for each draftStudents directed to websites for additional help: unlimited resources and expertiseTutors (to a certain extent) choose essays relates to their areas of expertise

The Hybrid SystemThe Hybrid System

Student writes a draft of essayDraft is submitted to eTutoringStudent brings etutor comments to the Writing Center and reviews comments with a tutorStudent then revises the draft, either in the Writing Center or on his/her own and resubmits to eTutoring.The cycle continues….

Benefits to Students

Assistance with/explanation of tutor commentsTutoring sessions are more productive (both face-to-face and online)eTutoring gives an overview of issues with an essay. Students can then go through the essay with a tutor to find instances of these problems and workshop how to correct them.

Benefits to Students

Ability to revise with a tutor present to assistBoth long term and immediate feedback on revisionsAbility to rework a draft (with guidance) at least 5 times Assurance that tutor suggestions are validOn-the-spot technical support for eTutoring problems

Benefits to Staff

Writing Center Administrators

Ability to track students’ progress through WI coursesWC tutors write reports on each session; hybrid system allows administrators to see reports that include eTutoring

Writing Center Tutors

Tutors don’t have to look at an essay “cold”Tutor comments born out by etutor comments, and vice versaTutors have structure and guidance for their live sessions based on etutor comments

Benefits to Instructors

By the time the instructor sees the essay, it’s significantly improved. Instructors can spend less time on grading.

Papers are easier to read.There is less to mark/correct.

Validation for instructor as his/her comments born out by professional writing tutors

Looking to the Future

Hybrid system started informally in the Fall 2008 semester; result of student need and faculty inputSystem formalized for this semester in the Writing CenterThe hope is to make it a part of the course requirements for future WI courses

PCCC Writing Intensive Courses

Introduction to LiteratureIntroduction to PsychologyWestern Civilization IWestern Civilization II

Spring 2009

PCCC Writing Intensive Courses

Introduction to Critical Thinking in a Diverse WorldIntroduction to PhilosophyIntroduction to Political ScienceMusic Appreciation

To Be Added in Fall 2009

Contact Info

Elizabeth Nesiusenesius@pccc.edu

Thank you!