Welcome New Peers!!!

Welcome to the official COD Writing and Reading Center blog!!

On this blog you will be able to post comments, suggestions, idea's, events, problems and any questions that you have about your peer tutoring experiences. Students that we tutor will NOT have access to this so feel free to be open about discussions. And most importantly, have fun with this!

another wc adventure

well well well...I just stumbled across my old list of "blogs in my community" and look what I've found! the codwc blog is still up and running! Excellent (mr. burns style finger tent)

I am getting ready to start my first semester at UIC on Monday, was lucky enough to get into a 400-level tutoring class called "campus writing consultants". I also had a chance to meet with some of the staff at the UIC writing center to get a feel for what to expect there. I'm getting really excited as the first day of class draws near, but I'm also realizing how much I miss all of the great students and faculty I met and worked with at the cod wc.

So, here's to hoping you all have an excellent semester and that I will remember to make time to stop in and see you all once you are up and running!

Oh, that reminds me, I found a really cool tool online called "remember the milk". its it's like virtual to do list, for those of you are ruled by never ending post it notes. It's little hairy getting used to how to navigate it, but use the help button long enough and it's a very cool way to manage tasks and due dates, etc.

see you all soon!
-sabrina

Copyright calculator

I found a slider to determine whether a given work is protected by copyright. Could come in handy.

Peer handbook ideas

We talked a lot about these at the meetings (today and on the 12th); I thought a list here (and in the comments) would be fairly practical - once we felt there were enough ideas, we could compile them into a proper MS Word document. To start, here are a few broad categories:

• Design scripts/templates for handling threatening situations--be brief; don't personalize the response to the student (i.e. don't make reference to the student's race, gender, ethnicity, etc.)
• Complaints about _____ (e.g. visitors to the college) go to _____ (e.g. Public Safety).
• Make a poster/leaflet with student rules/responsibilities for conduct. 1) Respect peers (personal space, questions, etc.). 2) Be civil--no vulgarity, slurs, etc. 3) ...

Side note - should we have categories (labels) for posts?

QUESTION...

There have been more and more students booking appointments for the same day (none of which state that they have a blue card,) they are not back to back but an hour or so apart from eachother. Most of the time they are working on the same assignment during both appointments also.
I've asked a couple people if they are allowed to do this, and I've gotten various responses. So I just wanted to know once and for all, if they can book two appointments in the same day?

I personally do not think that students should be able to do this, because it takes away from another student's chance for help.

Can I please get a final answer on this.

First post of 2008!

WOO HOO!!!!

2-4 in the Writing Center

The library seems to be slow this semseter. Probably b/c no one knows where it is or doesn't want to take the time to find out. An idea was suggested, from a fellow peer, that we be open from 2-4 pm in the Writing Center instead of the library this semester or in future semesters. Here's why.

1) Because people already know where the Writing Center is.
2) Several students have come here to the WC and we've referred them to the Library site. They never make it to the Library site. Perhaps b/c they don't want to look for it because it is hard to find. Or don't want to walk across the campus to get there. As a result, the peer coaches spend 3 hours in that room doing nothing.
3) Lack of peer coaches in the Library site.
4) Library room it too small and easily overcrowded. Therefore, students don't get the privacy they deserve when in the Library site.