Frequently
Asked Questions
Who
can use the UCR Learning Center?
The UCR Learning Center serves
anyone at RCTC—students, faculty, and staff
alike—at any stage in the writing process
for any type of writing.
The UCR Learning Center is designed for students
in honors classes as well as developmental classes,
students in English classes as well as history,
psychology, or sociology classes, and students
who just need someone to look over their writing
will benefit from the writing center. Students
sometimes feel the need for an “objective”
view of their writing, a view that is not from
their instructor.
On occasion faculty, administration,
and staff need to talk through their thoughts
during the writing process; the writing center
will provide a forum for those discussions as
well.
How
does the UCR Learning Center work?
After signing in, you will sit down one-on-one with
a writing specialist or writing coach who will typically
ask for some detail about the writing project and
any particular difficulties you may be having with
your writing. The specialist or coach may then ask
you to read your writing aloud while the specialist/coach
takes some notes. The coach or specialist will then
make a number of concrete suggestions for improvement
of the overall writing project.
Who works at the UCR Learning Center?
The UCR Learning Center employs English instructors
(writing specialists), all of whom have considerable
experience in writing. The UCR Learning Center also
employs students
(writing coaches) who have been specifically trained
to work one-on-one with writers of all levels.
What time is the UCR Learning Center
open?
Hours will vary from semester to semester, but you
can always find a current schedule posted in the
UCR Learning Center (AT306) as well as on the website.
Is it better to make an appointment
ahead of time, or is it okay to just walk in?
Either way is okay. Please keep in mind that the
UCR Learning Center can become quite busy, and students
who make appointments have a guarantee that they
will be seen. Walk-ins have no such guarantee.
Do
writing specialists or coaches proofread papers?
UCR
Learning Center writing specialists and coaches
DO NOT proofread: they concentrate on larger problems
in your writing, such as organization, evidence,
and coherence. Specialists and coaches are, however,
happy to look over a piece of writing to determine
where the main sentence-level errors seem to lie
and to recommend exercises (which your specialist
or coach will go through with you) to help strengthen
these weaknesses.
What should be brought to the session?
Writing specialists and coaches ask that
you bring a draft of the writing assignment (it’s
enormously helpful if this draft is typed). If you
are responding to a particular assignment, your
writing specialist or coach might ask you to bring
any relevant handouts as well.
How long does a typical session last?
The amount of time spent with a writing
center specialist or coach depends largely on how
much time you need. Sessions typically last 30-45
minutes (30 minutes for walk-ins and 45 for appointments).
However, at busier times your writing specialist
or coach may not be able to devote this time to
just one person exclusively.
Is it okay to work on a paper after a session
at the UCR Learning Center?
Because the UCR Learning Center is equipped with
computers, it’s quite possible for you to
work on your writing immediately after the session
while ideas and advice are still fresh.
