Tutoring & Learning Center

Whether you've completed online courses before or not, you might be interested in list of "Best Practices" that professional tutors compiled.  To make the most of your online learning experience you should:

• Plan ahead by making sure you have the technology required and know how to use it effectively to successfully navigate your online course;

• Adjust your expectations by realizing that this may be a new experience for both you and your instructor, so be patient and expect that there will be some hiccups along the way;

• Treat the online course like a “real” course by attending all online lectures, participating in virtual conference calls and/or discussion boards, and blocking time off to study;

• Hold yourself accountable by setting weekly SMART goals and reminders when assignments are due;

• Manage your attention by creating a weekly schedule (class time, study time, discussion board, due dates for assignments, exam time, wellness time, leisure time, quiet time, etc.), but remain flexible and most importantly avoid distractions;

• Create a regular study space by designating space that is conducive to learning;

• Actively participate by engaging, immersing, and interacting with the process and with your instructor and classmates via email, posts, discussion boards, etc.;

• Always use appropriate online communication etiquette;

• Take notes by building up, enhancing, and adding more content to the bullet point lectures; come up with questions related to the course material; review your notes regularly;

• Practice self-reflection and adjust accordingly by identifying your unique needs and ways you learn best in online environments, as well as staying flexible and developing a growth mindset by seeing challenges as opportunities to grow;

• Use online resources by identifying reputable online sites to enhance your learning;

• Take advantage of free online tutoring your institution may offer.

Check out the following resources related to this topic.

Watch this comprehensive video to learn how to make the most of online courses.

Watch this TedxTalk to see how this student changed her study habits with the Pomodoro method.

Watch this video for 3 preparation and planning tips to effectively study for your online course.

Here are various articles on taking online courses:

https://www.collegeraptor.com/getting-in/articles/online-colleges/tips-for-surviving-your-online-classes/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinkruse/2020/03/18/17-tips-for-people-taking-online-classes/#76dd68de3fff

https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/tips-for-taking-online-classes/

Stay safe, keep sharing freely, and keep supporting one another. We are all in this together!

 

Compiled by Tina Kondopoulos, CRLA Treasurer, Director of the Peer Tutoring Program at Northeastern University in Boston, MA

We will be offering online one-on-one appointments with our regular tutors.  Tutors, working from home, will log on with you for a 45-minute appointment through an online tutoring platform where you'll be able to see your tutor and work together.  To make an appointment:

• Email Tutoring@jjc.edu
• Include your full name (so we can find you in our system), the class you want to be tutored in and your preferred date and time.
• Monitor your JJC email for information about your appointment.

In order to best communicate with you, we recommend that you request appointments at least a day in advance.

See what online tutoring looks like in this video.

 

 

Looking for a chance to improve your placement scores? JJC's Preparation for Progress placement test program provides FREE tutoring, testing tips and tricks, and student resources to help students remediate and work towards improving their placement scores.

The Prep for Progress program works the the Tutoring and Learning Center to provide the following services to all JJC students:

• One on one virtual tutoring appointments with a TLC tutor in English, reading, or math prep
• Online resources and student videos to help students navigate online learning and testing environments
• Remote access to ALEKS prep and learning modules and Accuplacer resources
• Student help and support for continued academic success!

Get information now to get started!

The TLC also provides online and virtual test preparation assistance for English and math placement testing within Accuplacer and ALEKS. TLC tutor's are available to meet with students virtually to prepare to take JJC's placement tests.

Learn more about virtual test preparation resources!

• Go to class--even if you are attending "virtually"!
• Make a reasonable effort to complete homework.
• Have access to class materials including: textbook, assignments, notes.
• Make lists of questions, issues, or concerns.
• Be ready to actively participate with your tutor.
• Take a few minutes prior to the appointment to test your equipment and check your ability to participate in the appointment.
• Open tabs in your computer browser with anything you might want to show your tutor.  You can share your screen with us during the appointment.
• Find a place with minimal distractions to have your appointment.

As you prepare to complete the semester in an online learning environment, the Tutoring and Learning Center is committed to supporting your students.  Even though we won't be able to tutor exactly like we have in the past, we want to do our very best to provide the academic support students need.  In the spirit of learning new things and adapting to change, we have several new opportunities for students to take advantage of and we'd like to remind you of the resources that have been and remain available to them.

Online Learning Resources: Innovative Educators is providing free access to their online learning student resources until the beginning of May.  We have partnered with them to provide access for our JJC students.  There are two different content areas.  The first is an "Orientation to Online Learning" which was designed for the online learner.  The second is a series of 20 student success workshops that have been specifically curated with the current move to online learning in mind. Topics include:

• 10 Tips For Success in Your Online Course
• Academic Integrity: The Do’s and Don’ts
• Developing a Strong Thesis Statement
• Drafting Introductions, Body Paragraphs, and Conclusions
• Effectively Communicating Online
• Exam Preparation Tips & Test-Taking Strategies
• How to Achieve Well-Being, Balance & Success
• How to Reduce Test Anxiety
• Information Literacy: How to Master College Research
• Learning Strategies Every Student Should Know
• Online Courses: Staying Motivated and Disciplined
• Overcoming Procrastination: Causes & Cures
• Pre-Writing Techniques: Planning & Idea Development
• Preparing for Final Exams
• Setting and Accomplishing Realistic Goals
• Stress Management Techniques
• Taking Tests Online: Strategies For Success
• The Revision Process: How to Proofread & Edit Your Writing
• Time Management: Strategies for Success
• Understanding & Avoiding Plagiarism

 

 Check out the Screencast to see what's included in the site. 

Students will receive an email with access instructions.  You may also access and explore the website.

To access online resources, visit (www.go2ie.com/onlinelearningstudent) and follow the next steps:

• Create an account.
• Fill out the information about who you are and where you study.
• Start accessing and viewing online orientation and student success workshops.

As students complete the online modules, they will be offered the opportunity to take an evaluation and earn a "certificate."  While we wouldn't necessarily advocate for adding additional "to-do" items to students' already overwhelming learning curve, this might be a great way to reward students who are working to improve their academic skills or are doing extra work to prepare for learning in an online environment. 

One-on-one Online Tutoring Appointments: We will be offering online one-on-one appointments with our regular tutors.  Tutors, working from home, will log on with students for a 45-minute appointment through a tutoring platform where they'll be able to see the tutor and work together on a shared whiteboard. 

After research and discussion last week, we have chosen the platform, GoBoard.  There are several features that make it the platform of choice.  First, it was designed specifically for tutoring and it has tools which align with our high-demand courses.  For example, students and/or tutors can load documents into the board and work together to read, revise, etc.  The board also has built-in scientific calculators, formula builders, graphing functions, and other essential math tools.  Second, GoBoard creates a PDF of every tutoring session which students can refer to later.  Finally, it is free to the college. 

 Under the advisement of other tutoring centers who have previously administered more online tutoring, we have expanded our appointments to 45 minutes.  This time frame allows for some of the natural delays and glitches that technology can add to a session.  Additionally, it allows tutors adequate time to log off of one session and onto the next.  To make an appointment students should:

• Email TLC reception at tutoring@jjc.edu
• Include their full name (so we can find them in our system), the class for which they want to receive tutoring, and their preferred meeting time and date.
• Monitor their email for confirmation and specific directions for the appointment.

Smarthinking:  On the left-hand menu bar of any course in iCampus, you will see a link for Smarthinking Free Tutoring.  This service is free to students and is available 24/7.  You can access resources, ask questions, or submit a paper for review.  

Placement Test Prep: If students are prepping for the Accuplacer or ALEKS placement tests, they can still access online study resources for both tests.  Go HERE for more information.  

To provide high quality and consistent service, the TLC requests all patrons abide by these tutoring guidelines.  

• Tutoring is not a substitute for attending class. If a student does not attend class, he/she cannot participate in tutoring.
• TLC tutors will not assist with practice tests or take-home exams.
• Students may only be tutored for classes in which they are currently enrolled.
• Students may only receive one hour of tutoring per week per subject unless otherwise approved by the Tutoring and Learning Center Supervisor.
• If a student is more than 10 minutes late, his/her appointment is automatically cancelled. If a student misses two appointments, Tutoring and Learning Center staff have the right to deny the student future tutoring appointments. The student will then be permitted to use these services but they will not receive priority in scheduling.
• Student must provide at least two hours' notice prior to cancelling a session.  Students who chronically cancel sessions may lose schedule privileges for the semester. 
• All tutees must adhere to Student Code of Conduct.

Scheduled and unscheduled events may close the Tutoring and Learning Center.  Please review the links below to learn about these closures and plan your visit accordingly.

Academic Calendar

Winter Weather Info

Elizabeth Bell, Tutoring and Learning Center Supervisor
Office: C-2009
Phone: (815) 280-2855
Email: elbell@jjc.edu

Debbie Kroeger, Tutoring Clerk
Office: C-2012
Phone: (815) 280-CUBE
Email: dkroeger@jjc.edu

Hours vary by location.  Please review the information below to select a Tutoring and Learning Center location that best meets your needs. Keep in mind that some tutoring services are limited to a particular location.

Main Campus, C-2010
815-280-2730
815-280-CUBE (2823)

Romeoville Campus, RMA-1039
815-280-7785
815-280-7786

City Center Campus, JCTR-6002
815-280-1301
815-280-1302

Online Tutoring – Smarthinking

iCampus offers free online tutoring to JJC students enrolled in credit-bearing courses. ALL JJC credit courses have a link on their course's menu within Canvas to Smarthinking. The subjects supported are:

• Business
• Computers and Technology
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Reading
• Science
• Spanish
• Writing

 

Drop-in Session -  Connect with an expert tutor for a live session on demand.

Schedule a Future Session -  Schedule a live session with a tutor in the future. Please note that these appointments must be booked at least 48 hours in advance.

Ask a Question -  If you don't have time for a live session, send a tutor an academic question. Turnaround time for a response is typically within 24 hours.

Writing Center -  Have your writing reviewed by an expert tutor. You can submit a paragraph, essay, or just a question 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Turnaround time for a response is typically within 24 hours.

Smarthinking Support & Additional Resources

If you need help, please contact Smarthinking at http://smarthinking.echelp.org/.

For additional Smarthinking Resources, watch the helpful videos on the Smarthinking website at http://smarthinking.com/student-resources.

 Monday-Thursday 8:00 am to 8:00 pm