Amber Esparza
Arts, Culture & Entertainment Editor
Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s writing center has composed a few updates this semester.
The center has changed its name to the Writing, Language, and Digital Composing Center, added a second location on campus and is offering a variety of new digital and Spanish tutoring options.
Dr. Katherine Bridgman, director of the center and assistant professor of English, said the updates have largely been because of the pandemic and the developing necessities of the students.
The goal of the WLD center (pronounced “wild”) has been to “adapt to meet the needs of the students,” Bridgman said.
“For parts of the pandemic, we were completely online,” Bridgman said, “We really hadn’t offered online tutoring prior to then. The pandemic nudged us to grow in a way that we hadn’t really done before.”
The WLD center was originally only operating out of Room 208 in the Central Academic Building and online but now has an additional location in Room 304 of Classroom Hall that is connected to a podcasting studio.
The WLD center also has expanded its options for tutoring to include Spanish and digital literacy tutoring because “that’s what students needed,” Bridgman said.
Although tutoring instruction in Spanish had already been an option in the center, students majoring in Spanish, enrolled in the bilingual education/ESL program and anyone taking general Spanish courses are now able to receive additional tutoring with two dedicated Spanish tutors to support them.
“The WLD center is not an English-only space,” Bridgman said. She added that anyone interested in tutoring in other languages is welcome to apply to be a tutor.
The WLD center’s digital tutors support students’ digital literacy and assist with works like video projects, presentations, navigating and managing Blackboard, using Microsoft Suite and working with programs like Digication, A&M-San Antonio’s e-portfolio tool for students.
The WLD center offers tutoring sessions in three different modalities: e-tutoring, face-to-face and online.
Samuel Garcia, assistant director of the center, said the most popular tutoring option for students is e-tutoring. This option allows students to upload a piece of writing through the WLD e-tutoring appointment form, where the tutor can analyze their work and leave feedback for the student to review.
“It’s easier for them to attach essays and receive their feedback that way,” but the most successful tutoring sessions happen when meeting face-to-face or online, Garcia said.
“During those sessions, students and tutors are able to talk live with one another,” and it’s easier for students to ask questions and get clarification on their work and address those issues in person, Garcia added.
The WLD center’s face-to-face sessions allow students to work with a tutor in person in either CAB or Classroom Hall, depending on the type of tutoring needed.
The online tutoring option also allows students to work with a tutor in real time, using video conferences to connect students with their tutors in a virtual workspace.
Anyone enrolled at A&M-San Antonio is encouraged to use the WLD center.
Students can schedule an appointment through JagWire, calling at 210-784-1222, emailing the center at WritingCenter@tamusa.edu or stopping in person in Room 208 of CAB.
The WLD Center’s in-person operating hours are:
Monday: 10 a.m. – 3p.m.
Tuesday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Saturday (Online Only): 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Closed Sundays
For a list of online tutoring hours, contact the WLD Center.
