How is an online appointment different from face-to-face tutoring?
Like our in-person appointments, online appointments happen in real time, which means when you log into your appointment and message the tutor, they will be online messaging you back and able to answer your questions in real time. We have a built-in online appointment platform into our scheduling system which will allow you to upload your paper and share it with the tutor and have a conversation with them in a chatbox. To access your appointment, simply log into the Writing Center scheduler, click your appointment, and join the online consultation.

Do I need to register for an account to make an appointment?
Yes, you will need to make an appointment to access our scheduler. Making an appointment is very easy, though. Simply log into your Portal, click the Writing icon with a pencil, and that will take you right to our scheduler or you can click here to go there directly. Registration is very straightforward; we’ll ask you a few questions, which helps us understand who you are and how we can serve you. Then, you’re ready to start making appointments with us! If you aren’t able to register for an account for whatever reason, email us at writingcenter@mail.wou.edu, and we’ll help you get an appointment.

How many appointments can I make?
You can make up to one 45-minute appointment every single day. We restrict students to one appointment to allow us to help everyone who needs writing support, but that should be more than enough time if you plan ahead.

What online tutoring platforms are available for use?
We use Zoom for most of our online tutoring, which allows students to voice call, video call, and share a screen, so the tutor can view their paper. If you’d rather have your appointment over the phone, just list your phone number in the notes section of your appointment form, and our tutors will call you on the phone.  Our tutors are more than happy to use either platform! If you plan to use Google Docs, make sure to share your paper with the Writing Center at writingcenter@mail.wou.edu before your appointment, so your tutor can start helping you when your appointment starts.

Can I video chat or voice call the tutor in our appointment? 
Absolutely. In fact, it is encouraged, as it gives you and the tutor the ability to see each other and answer questions in a more timely manner, as well as screenshare, if needed. For video and voice calls, we have found that Zoom is the easiest and most secure platform for our use. For straightforward tutorials on using Zoom, click here.

What sorts of things can I work on in an online tutoring session?
We can work on anything writing related with you! You don’t have to have a finished paper to make an appointment. In fact, we would encourage you to make an appointment with the Writing Center early on in your writing project to get support throughout your writing process. One common thing that we help students with is understanding and interpreting your professors’ assignment directions. This can be a tricky task to take on — especailly remotely with little in-person contact with your professor. If you are confused at all and don’t know how to start your paper, make an appointment with us!

Can you let my professor know I worked with you?
Yes, we certainly can. Instead of giving you the “Golden Ticket” as evidence of your appointment, we will instead email professors to let them know that you made an appointment with us. This helps them know that you put in the extra effort and made an appointment at the Writing Center.