Information About Online Tutoring

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The University Writing Center offers several types of appointments.  The most traditional are our face-to-face appointments in our on-campus location, SSB 2105.  While we believe that face-to-face tutoring is the most effective way to support writers, we recognize that some students may not be able to come to the Center during the hours we are open, and for these students we offer online services in three formats: phone chat, IM chat and email appointments. 

Phone Chat

Phone chat appointments are fairly low-tech.  Students use COLT to send us their work and request a phone appointment.  Writers and tutors then spend 45 minutes at the appointed time discussing the rhetorical aspects of the text.  The phone extension for this service is 281-283-3306.  Please note that students must initiate the phone call at the scheduled time.

IM Chat

Instant Message Chat appointments are conducted using AIM Pro software.  As with phone chat sessions, writers and tutors spend 45 minutes discussing the rhetorical aspects of a text.  Once you have used COLT to submit your paper and request an IM appointment, we will email you the directions you need for downloading the software and signing on for your chat appointment.

Email Sessions

In e-mail sessions (scheduled through COLT) the tutor reads and responds to a document via email and Microsoft Word’s comment function.  Writers need not be available at the appointment time; texts are emailed back to students after tutors have responded to them. 

Please Note:

For all of these formats, tutors will read the text before the appointment.  This means that texts must be emailed in advance of the appointment and that scheduling may take up to three working days, depending on tutor availability.  We do not schedule online sessions for Sundays.

Writers must also email a copy of the instructor’s written assignment, whenever possible, to help us understand the requirements of the assignment. The more information the student provides, the more the tutor will be able to assist.

Content of Sessions

For students who cannot come to the Center, online tutoring sessions allow access to Center services; however, they do have shortcomings.  We do not work on specific grammar or formatting issues with writers in these sessions since it’s very difficult for tutors to address these concerns online without becoming editors (which is against our policy).  We strongly recommend that students who wish to work on grammar, ESL, and formatting issues come to the Center in person to work with a tutor. 

During online sessions, we work primarily on questions about the rhetorical aspects of a text.  Please read our frequently asked questions about our services. *Note: this document is in Microsoft Word format.

Required Software

All online sessions require that text be saved and sent as a Microsoft Word file.  For chat sessions, the UHCL Writing Center uses AIM Pro software.  The AIM program is available for free download.

Scheduling

Online appointments may be scheduled by phone or by using the online appointment request form.  Please call 281-283-2910 to speak with a Writing Center receptionist, or request an appointment online now. If you call when the Center is closed, please leave a message with a contact number and a good time to reach you so we can call you back to schedule.  Once an appointment has been scheduled, you will need to use your official UHCL email address to send your paper saved as a Word document.

For security reasons, we cannot accept documents that are sent from non-UHCL email addresses. 

Document Formatting

Your document must be no more than 7 pages, double-spaced, in 12-point font saved as a Microsoft Word file.  Once we receive the document, we will format it with line numbers to assist us in discussion.  We recommend you do the same with your copy of the text so that we can communicate clearly during the online session.  To add line numbers in Word, first make sure you are in the Print Layout View.  Then go to the Page Setup menu and click the Layout tab.  Click on Line Numbers and select the Add line numbering box.  Under Numbering, select the Continuous option.

If your document is longer than 7 pages (such as a thesis or project), you will need to arrange multiple appointments and we will discuss the most efficient way to break up the reading of the document.  Please do not send a document and ask us to read the first or last ten pages.  Working with you on your text requires that we have a full understanding of your project, and this is not possible if we read only portions of the text.

If you have questions about online appointments, please call the Center at 281-283-3306 or email us at writingcenter@uhcl.edu. 

Remember that all communication must be made with your official UHCL email account.