Going synchronous in online writing center tutoring sessions

The work of a writing center • A narrative of teaching and technology •

unscheduled Delivery (Demands) Course-embedded peer tutors email response (to meet logistical demands) + Faculty

Other centers, other approaches • Data from 25 schools – Drexel’s comparative schools –

Other centers, other approaches • Specific platforms – Skype – Google chat/video/mail/docs – e.

DWC Peer Readers’ experiences • What is your preferred mode of tutoring? • How

Final thoughts • The work of a writing center • Expanding the reach of

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Going synchronous in online writing center tutoring sessions The Drexel Writing Center Julia Casciato, Operations Manager Dan Driscoll, Associate Director Dana Formon, Peer Reader Janel Mc. Closkey, Coordinator for Writing Scott Warnock, Director Xinyi Zhang, Peer Reader

The work of a writing center • A narrative of teaching and technology • What is a writing center? • What are the specific goals of the Drexel Writing Center?

unscheduled Delivery (Demands) Course-embedded peer tutors email response (to meet logistical demands) + Faculty tutor email response (to serve remote students) (anti)Philosophy Lacks tutor-writer relationship/collaboration scheduled Doesn’t always encourage process Peer tutors offering email response (to serve remote students) + Faculty tutors using synchronous online (Skype, Adobe Connect) appts. (to serve remote students) Can play into fix-it shop, or paper-editing service view (submitting for “review, ” “editing, ” “corrections”)

Other centers, other approaches • Data from 25 schools – Drexel’s comparative schools – Centers whose work we are interested in • How other writing centers use technology – Five use email submissions – Eight use online synchronous chat – Three use audio/video

Other centers, other approaches • Specific platforms – Skype – Google chat/video/mail/docs – e. Tutoring – Nine use WCOnline

WCOnline: Appointments

Email appointment registration form

Email appointment

Synchronous chat-based session

Synchronous audio visual

DWC Peer Readers’ experiences • What is your preferred mode of tutoring? • How does text-based synchronous tutoring work for you? • How does video/audio synchronous tutoring work for you? • How, if at all, do the different technologies complement, challenge, or change your perception of your role as Reader?

Final thoughts • The work of a writing center • Expanding the reach of academic support services • Technology meeting instructional/ pedagogical/material needs – The hard work: Finding the right fit