Emily Heady, Ph.D. Executive Director, University Writing Program Shelah Simpson Director, Distance Writing Center What's New in the Writing Center?

Emily Heady, Ph.D.Executive Director, University Writing

ProgramShelah Simpson

Director, Distance Writing Center

What's New in the Writing Center?

Big AnnouncementsLike LU, we have adopted a growth plan.Expansion of GWC to distance grad

studentsOpening residential Undergraduate

Writing CenterExpansion of GRST 500 to distance

students

Expansion to DLP StudentsAll services except ESL conversation

groups will be online in Fall 2008—for DLP GRADUATE students only.

New staffTen trained tutors – DLP grad studentsOne part-time admin assistant

Location The Distance Writing Center website,

linked from the GWC site: www.liberty.edu/distancewritingcenter

Software & Hardware – The Online Tutoring Service

Based on Microsoft SharePoint & Microsoft InfoPath

Windows XP or Vista or Mac OS X; Word 2003 or Word 2007

Either Yahoo, AOL, or Skype for live sessions

Microphone & speakers or headset required for live sessions

The Online Tutoring Service Request Form

The Online Tutoring Service Request Form

The Online Tutoring Service Request Form

The Online Tutoring Service Request Form

The Online Tutoring Service Request Form

The Online Tutoring Service Request Form

Online Tutoring Service Policies

Students may submit drafts only once per assignment—must schedule a live appointment if they need further help with a draft.

Turn around time is 48 hours for regular assignments, longer for dissertations.

Live appointments may only be scheduled a week in advance.

Not a proofreading or editing serviceNot a “prove my professor wrong” serviceTutors may contact professors for clarificationProfessors may request the content of a

student’s tutoring session or reviewed draft. (contact [email protected])

Expansion to Undergrad StudentsTimeline: Fall 2008Location: DeMoss 2nd floor—glassed areas

just past Jazzman’sNew Staff:

FT ManagerFT Administrative Assistant10 tutors (graduate and advanced

undergraduate students)Hours: M-F, all day and a few evenings

What the UWC Will DoOne-on-one writing tutoring

ContentStructureGrammar/Language UsageDocumentation

Develop writing aids for coursesProvide conversation groups for ESL studentsEngage in an ongoing teaching program with

studentsEnable students to write their own papersDocument all activities for cumulative instruction

Assurances for FacultyThe UWC will not edit or proofread.The UWC will not write students’ papers for them—

tutors do not hold the pen.The UWC will not question or contradict a

professor’s instructions. If in doubt, the UWC will query the professor.

The UWC will consult assignments on Blackboard and follow instructions.

The UWC will not comment on or make judgments about grades.

The UWC will make all tutoring reports available to professors and discuss any tutoring session in depth upon request.

What To Tell Your StudentsMake an appointment—don’t just walk in.Plan to go to the UWC a few days before a paper

is due.When you find a tutor you like, schedule with

that person every time (like going to the doctor).Don’t expect suddenly high grades on

everything you do—it’s a teaching center, and you’re responsible for using the skills yourself.

The UWC is for all writers—good, bad, and somewhere in between.

The UWC is free! Use it!