Tutoring center plans for online service
Homework help could be available at home
William Kennedy
Issue date: 12/9/09 Section: News
On a cool November evening, Alex Larin, 27, sits in front of his televison set, not to watch the latest episode of "Gossip Girl," but to watch the latest installment of College of Marin's televised political science course. Larin says it is easier for him to take distant learning courses due to his conflicting work schedule. However, when asked about using online tutoring, Larin is not so concerned with his busy schedule. "If I am going to seek the advice of a tutor, I would rather be physically interacting with them," said Larin.
For students like Larin who have not used or found an on-line tutoring program that works, Becky Reetz, COM tutoring center coordinator, hopes that an on-line tutoring program along with the COM's tutoring center, will give students every possible option.
COM currently offers 25 on-line courses and five televised courses, ranging from math and English to philosophy and dance. Distant learning courses provide students the ability to take courses without coming to the campus. When a student needs that extra bit of help, they turn to the tutoring center. Soon the CCC Confer online tutoring program might be the answer that students crunched for time have sought.
The program offers all the amenities of a classroom directly on a computer and is currently used in over 100 community colleges throughout California, averaging 100 tutoring sessions a day. "The [California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office] has funded the program since 2001," said Elane Torrisi, CCC client services assistant "I do not see us going anywhere, anytime soon."
Reetz plans to bring the CCC program to COM soon. "The program is free for the college and its students," said Reetz." The priority is to hire tutors for more money than lets say they would make at In and Out." With CCC, Reetz and COM should have the extra funds to do so.
Reetz has enlisted the help of COM teacher Ira Lansing, who is familiar with using on-line tutoring. Lansing hopes that the program will be one of many avenues that his students can use to get the extra help needed. "I offer an online class," said Lansing. "I want to make available tutoring that does not require coming on campus."
For students like Larin who have not used or found an on-line tutoring program that works, Becky Reetz, COM tutoring center coordinator, hopes that an on-line tutoring program along with the COM's tutoring center, will give students every possible option.
COM currently offers 25 on-line courses and five televised courses, ranging from math and English to philosophy and dance. Distant learning courses provide students the ability to take courses without coming to the campus. When a student needs that extra bit of help, they turn to the tutoring center. Soon the CCC Confer online tutoring program might be the answer that students crunched for time have sought.
The program offers all the amenities of a classroom directly on a computer and is currently used in over 100 community colleges throughout California, averaging 100 tutoring sessions a day. "The [California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office] has funded the program since 2001," said Elane Torrisi, CCC client services assistant "I do not see us going anywhere, anytime soon."
Reetz plans to bring the CCC program to COM soon. "The program is free for the college and its students," said Reetz." The priority is to hire tutors for more money than lets say they would make at In and Out." With CCC, Reetz and COM should have the extra funds to do so.
Reetz has enlisted the help of COM teacher Ira Lansing, who is familiar with using on-line tutoring. Lansing hopes that the program will be one of many avenues that his students can use to get the extra help needed. "I offer an online class," said Lansing. "I want to make available tutoring that does not require coming on campus."
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