The Mesquite Online News - Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Writing center goes online during coronavirus pandemic

Writing center goes online during coronavirus pandemic - The Mesquite Online News - Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Texas A&M University- San Antonio students are eager to learn how to critique their writing. Dr. Scott Gage hosted the first-year composition workshop. Mesquite File Art: Photo by Rosemary Rodriguez

The Writing Center is conducting all operations online this semester due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The center had to adapt to new safety measures by finding contactless ways to provide tutoring for students. There are now two different ways to get tutoring without being on campus; synchronous or asynchronous. 

By choosing to use the synchronous method, students will schedule a virtual appointment with a tutor and work in real time getting feedback instantly, said Dr. Katherine Bridgman, director of the center. 

Students who opt for the asynchronous method will send their work and get it reviewed and revised within a couple of hours or days. 

Students can schedule virtual appointments with tutors in subjects such as English, math, science, psychology, etc. These appointments usually last from 30 to 40 minutes and students have the option to do individual or group sessions.

“One of the biggest challenges we will face this year will be to make students feel comfortable with virtual meetings,” said Juan Escobedo, staff tutor at the Writing Center. “We want to encourage students to use this help for their studies and personal writing.” 

The center will also be hosting its writing workshops virtually. 

The workshop series will be held through Zoom and students will be required to RSVP prior to attending the event. These workshops focus on grammar and other writing processes, students can find out more information on the center’s social media pages. 

Faculty members can request “drop-in” visits from tutors on Zoom in their classes.These will help them answer questions from students and get them more familiar with the writing center. To schedule a drop-in, faculty should email Dr. Bridgamn at ktbridgmn@tamusa.edu

Students can find more information about the new measures taken by the writing center on their social media or website: https://www.instagram.com/wctamusa/?hl=en and https://www.tamusa.edu/college-of-arts-and-sciences/language-literature-arts/english/writing-center/index.html

About the Author

Andrea Cardona
Andrea Cardona is a junior communications major with a business administration minor. When not attending to classes, Andrea works as a part-time communications assistant for the Jaguar Student Media department at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her dogs and plans to pursue public relations after she graduates.

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