Who can use tutoring services in the Learning Center?
All students currently taking classes at Cascadia College may use tutoring services.
Who are the tutors?
Our tutors have successfully completed coursework in their designated tutoring subject(s),
have been recommended by a faculty member in their tutoring area(s), and have completed
a tutor training program. While most of our tutors are current students at Cascadia
or a four-year institution, some of our tutors have completed a Bachelor’s degree
or higher.
How much does it cost?
Tutoring services are free to all currently enrolled Cascadia College students.
Can I get tutoring help online, by phone, or by email?
Cascadia College participates in the Western E-Tutoring Consortium, which offers online
tutoring in most subjects and is free to all currently enrolled students. You can
access this service at http://etutoring.cascadia.edu. The Learning Center does not offer tutoring by phone or email.
Where are you located?
CC2-060 and CC2-080, in the north corner of the CC2 building.
Why do I have to log in?
Logging-in allows us to track usage of the center: the days, weeks and hours students
are using our services, the courses that bring you to us, and the total number of
students using the Center during a given quarter. These numbers help us secure funding
to keep the center running, determine when and how to schedule our tutors, and develop
other learning assistance programs like workshops and Supplemental Instruction (SI).
Writing Tutoring
What kind of help do writing tutors provide?
Writing tutors can help students at any stage in the writing process. They work with
students to brainstorm ideas for paper topics, review partial or whole drafts, and
provide guidance on specific topics (introductions and conclusions, integrating quotes
into a paper, etc.). Students may receive help on writing projects from all disciplines
(English, history, psychology, art, ESL, ELP, etc.) and genres (response papers, research
papers, personal statements, works of fiction, etc.). Tutors do not “edit” or “correct”
papers, but focus instead on high order concerns such as thesis statements, the development
of ideas, and overall organization.
The goal of our writing tutors is to provide students with the skills to think and
work independently on future writing projects. To accomplish this goal, tutors incorporate
questions and dialogue into each session to actively engage students in the learning
process.
Do I have to make an appointment to use the Writing Center?
While we strongly encourage students to schedule an appointment with a writing tutor,
we do allow drop-ins. Students who drop in will go onto a waitlist and receive help
on a first-come-first-serve basis. Students who have scheduled appointments will
take priority over those on the waitlist. Please note that during busy times, the
wait time can be significant for drop-in students.
What should I bring with me?
Students should bring a paper copy of their writing project so that tutors can make
notes on the page. We also encourage students to bring their paper prompt, course
syllabus, any previous drafts that include instructor comments, grading rubric (if
available), and textbook. Tutors generally begin sessions by asking students the
specific questions or concerns that they have about their current project. Thinking
about this prior to a tutoring session will help tutors focus and structure the session.
How much time should I allow?
Tutoring sessions are scheduled for 45 minutes. Students can continue working on
their writing projects independently beyond the tutoring session in the Writing Center
when space allows.
