Writing Center Theory #1

1. Choose one sentence or a longer passage from Ch. 1 that you would like to quote and then comment on. Quote the passage and cite the page number. Then write your reaction to that quoted text.

“To the writers you encounter, you represent the writing center. They judge the writing center not only by the competency of your tutoring but also by the attitudes, courtesy, and respect you display toward them and your co-workers” (4).

I agree with this statement. One bad experience with a writing tutor can ruin the entire experience for a student. It’s like when you go to a restaurant and you have a bad meal – the chances of you returning to that restaurant are slim. Tutors need to keep in mind that they are walking advertisements for their writing center. Students are observing how the tutors express themselves and searching for trustworthiness. They want to feel safe in their writing center. Gossip and bad attitudes can make a student feel not only uncomfortable, but exposed as well.

4. Choose one sentence or a longer passage from Ch. 6 that you would like to quote and then comment on. Quote the passage and cite the page number. Then write your reaction to that quoted text.

"Use humor and sarcasm carefully. These don't translate as well in writing as they do face-to-face and can offend writers inadvertently" (80).

I think this is an important point. Because of the anonymity of online tutoring, tutors really don't know who they are dealing with and need to be very cautious. There are certain words that people use in conversation with friends and family that you just can't use with strangers. Different rules apply and being professional means you're there to help a writer, not confuse them with sarcasm and attempts at humor. Emoticons can help sometimes, but adding smiley faces and acronyms can sometimes look childish. I use "LOL" way more than I should, but if a writing tutor used "LOL" anywhere on my paper, I would think that there's a kid giving me advice and I'm way too old to have a kid give me writing advice. But that's just me ;-) Everyone's different and it's probably best to let the tutee set the mood of the tutoring session. If they joke, you joke back. If they avoid jokes, then you avoid them as well.

5. What is a valuable point of information, term, or tutoring strategy that you have you learned about online tutoring as a consequence of reading this chapter? Why are you choosing to focus on this point or term or strategy in this discussion forum?

The whole concept of online tutoring is new to me. Synchronous Tutoring and Asynchronous Tutoring are new terms that I now understand. Synchronous Tutoring occurs on real time through chatting, internet phone, video conferencing and web-immersive environments. It's very similar to face to face tutoring. Asynchronous Tutoring occurs through email, database and online classrooms. Asychronous Tutoring is beneficial to both the tutor and tutee, as long as the tutee doesn't need an answer RIGHT NOW.

Going to a writing center to ask for help is not easy for some students. Online tutoring offers tutees anonymity and the convenience of having access to a tutor from any location. Asychronous Tutoring provides them with a written record they can go back to time and time again. The tutors benefit from Asychronous Tutoring by being allowed the time to think over a student's questions and then being able to give them well thought out advice. Tutors can also easily include links to information that may further clarify points of discussion for the tutee.

It's important to understand the different types of online tutoring because so many students (tutors and tutees) are comfortable participating in an online world. Emailing, texting, chatting, and Blackboard have become such a huge part of college life. Online tutoring is just another way to reach out to students in form they feel comfortable and safe in.

Reply to Stacy's post:

Totally agree with you, Stacy! It's a bad idea to offer up a grade when you don't know the teacher or the course and don't have any of the additional information that may have been provided in class. The tutor may not have a full picture of what is expected of an assignment and can create conflict between the student and teacher because of an uninformed comment.

Reply to Holly's post:

Hi Holly! I agree with what you're saying about how a positive attitude is an important part of the tutor/tutee relationship. Tutors also need to be approachable and friendly, so that they feel more like peers and not teachers. Having a "classmate" suggest you change something in your paper is much less scary than having a teacher suggest the same thing.