SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT HERE
While we encourage you to make face-to-face appointments when possible to make the most of the Writing Center’s focus on peer-to-peer conversation, we understand that some students may need a different option. For instance, students studying abroad might use our asynchronous options to get some writing help from a completely different time zone! If you’re planning on making an online appointment, use the instructions on this page to help you through the process.
Online (Synchronous) Tutoring | eTutoring (Asynchronous)
Synchronous Tutoring
If you want to speak with a tutor over video while reviewing your writing together, similar to a normal in-person appointment, you should make a synchronous appointment.
Creating a Synchronous Appointment
Look at the list of tutor names under the date you would like to make an appointment. Several of the tutors will say “Face-to-Face Only” under their names. These tutors do not have any slots for online sessions. Look for a tutor whose availability is listed as “Face-to-Face, Synchronous, & Asynchronous” as shown here:
This tutor is available for online appointments!
Click on the time slot you’d like to reserve and the “Create Appointment” window will pop up. There will be a box near the top:
To schedule an appointment where you will talk with the tutor online, choose the third option, “Yes. Schedule Synchronous appointment.” You will then answer the usual questions about your assignment.
At the bottom of the window, you now have the option to upload up to three (3) files, as shown here:
We ask that you upload your current draft, as well as your prompt or assignment description. You can add files at any point before your appointment starts by clicking on your appointment in the schedule and clicking “Edit Appointment” at the bottom of the window.
Click “Create Appointment,” and your session is now reserved.
Going to Your Online Appointment
Open the WC Online schedule and find your appointment. Click on it to open the appointment window. Here is an example appointment window:
Click on the link that says “Start or Join Online Consultation.” This will open a new tab and begin the session!
Here is a walkthrough of what the online synchronous module will look like.
SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT HERE
Asynchronous Tutoring
Asynchronous tutoring is a different type of appointment where you submit your writing and the tutor reviews it and sends it back to you. There is no conversation between you and the tutor, although you can still let them know your main concerns about the paper through the appointment information. This is not a proofreading service; the tutor will provide suggestions and respond to your writing as a reader, but they will not make “edits” or “corrections” to your work.
This could be a good option for you if your camera and microphone don’t work well, you’ve experienced technical difficulties with other video platforms, or you’re working from a different time zone.
Creating an Asynchronous Appointment
Look at the list of tutor names under the date you would like to make an appointment. Several of the tutors will say “Face-to-Face Only” under their names. These tutors do not have any slots for online sessions. Look for a tutor whose availability is listed as “Face-to-Face, Synchronous, & Asynchronous” as shown here:
This tutor is available for online appointments!
Click on the time slot you’d like to reserve and the “Create Appointment” window will pop up. There will be a box near the top:
To schedule an appointment where you will submit your paper to be read by the tutor, select the second option, “Yes. Schedule Asynchronous appointment.” You will then answer the usual questions about your assignment. Note: You will also be asked whether you would like the client report form forwarded to your professor at the end of the session; since you will not have the opportunity to speak with your tutor in an asynchronous session, please indicate your choice while making the appointment.
At the bottom of the window, you will see fields to upload up to three (3) files. Note: you are required to upload at least one file to create your asynchronous appointment:
Please send the tutor your current draft, the prompt or assignment description if you have it, and any other information you think will be helpful. We ask that you limit your uploads to .doc, .docx, or .txt to ensure compatibility with the tutors’ computers. (For example, if you have a Mac and send a Pages document, a tutor with a PC will not be able to open it.)
Click “Create Appointment,” and your time slot is now reserved.
What Happens in an Asynchronous Appointment
The tutor will spend the hour you scheduled for your appointment reading, reviewing, and commenting on your writing. Shortly after the end of your reserved time, you can expect to receive an email notification with a document attached that contains the tutor’s feedback.
Although you will not interact directly with your tutor, we have asked the tutors to treat asynchronous tutoring as much like a normal session as possible. This means that the tutor will not spend extra time beyond the hour reading your paper, and they will not make direct edits or proofread your work. Keep this in mind when scheduling, as you will still need to review the tutor’s comments and make your own revisions before the work is ready to turn in.
Where are my tutor’s comments?
After your appointment ends, you will receive the client report form as usual. The WC Online system does not include file uploads as attachments with the client report form, so you’ll need to wait for a separate email from WC Online. This will be a notification email informing you that your appointment was “modified,” and your tutor’s comments should be attached to that email. If you don’t see the email attachment, you can go to your appointment in WC Online, click on it, and scroll to where the file uploads are visible. You can download your tutor’s feedback document from there.
If you cannot find your tutor’s comments in your appointment or as an email attachment, please email us at writingcenter@wfu.edu.
SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT HERE
As always, if you have any questions or concerns about scheduling, please contact us at writingcenter@wfu.edu