ACTLA 2009 Conference

Lighting the Way for a Diverse Student Population

Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College ACTLA Presentation

        Power Point Presentation

Handouts for download and printing.

• Providing Tutorials for Online Learners
  at Saddleback College - Saddleback College
  
  
• Models used in Online Tutorial Support and
  a Brief Overview of Existing College Programs - Saddleback College
  
  
• The Online Tutoring Program - Irvine Valley College
  
  
• Quick Questions
  
  

Responses to quick questions that we asked conference attendees at the beginning of our presentation. We answered most of the questions during the presentation.

Online Tutoring Pilot Project

Our goal is to create a virtual tutoring environment that emulates a physical one-on-one experience for distance learning students.

Our online English tutoring pilot project is available only to Saddleback College students who are currently enrolled in designated courses. A dedicated webpage is available that includes instructions on how to initiate the turoring appointment and how to submit a paper in preparation for the tutoring session.

When the tutoring session is completed the paper is returned to the student with comments, footnotes and hotlinks to pertainent websites for further study.

A Testimonial

Hello Kevin and Patti,

I want to thank you for pioneering online tutoring for our DE composition students and inviting my ENG 1A students to participate in the pilot project. Until now, only those DE students who were able to come on campus could benefit from individualized tutoring in LAP, leaving most students at a considerable disadvantage. This semester, that disadvantage no longer exists. Online tutoring through CCC Confer has not only improved essay grades but, in one case, enabled a marginal writer to pass the class.

Students appreciate the ease of using the technology, the availability of evening tutoring hours, the amount accomplished in the 30-minute session, and, most importantly, the rapport established with the tutor. One student commented that she felt as though she were sitting right next to the tutor during the session.

Having access to the same tutoring services our on-campus students enjoy is an important step in bringing the isolated DE student into the College community. As the semester draws to a close, I can say without reservation that the pilot project is an unquestionable success.

On behalf of my students, thank you.

Brenda Bruno