English Writing Center and
English/ESL Independent Studies

With the opening of the new LTRC in June 2004, the English Writing Center moved into two rooms in the new building: the English Writing Center room 70-119 and the English/ESL Independent Studies room 70-122. English skills peer tutoring and English 51/ 52 take place in 70-119 with 10 computers to support instruction. Room 70-122, equipped with 30 computers, facilitates lab requirements for both ESL and English 90 students.

Upon moving to its new location, the computers in both 70-119 and 70-122 were cloned using the same software that had been used in the former EWC (Room 571). Since June 2004, three new software programs have been installed.

Grossmont College has been awarded a sizeable basic skills grant, and it is anticipated that additional software programs will be purchased and installed within the next two years. In addition, the college is positioned to provide appropriate upgrades or updates to licenses for current software programs for both 70-119 and 70-122. New hardware will be provided through the rollover of computers for the EWC which is scheduled for 2009-2010.

The students are well served and will continue to be well served by technology provided in both rooms that comprise the EWC. In Room 70-119, students enrolled in English 51/52 utilize the computers to complete various individualized writing assignments. In Room 70-122, ESL students complete lab assignments utilizing content specific software. In addition, room 70-122 serves as the location for English 90 students to complete lab assignments at the appropriate instructional level.

The individualized tutoring program has continued to expand. Computer tutors are available to direct students to appropriate software in either Room 70-119 or 70-122. English Peer Tutors support students in Room 70-119 by reviewing student papers for both structural and mechanical errors in one-on-one tutoring sessions. In addition, identified English Peer Tutors support students in Room 70-119 through group tutoring sessions to understand their college level textbooks from specific classes. If demand exists, supervisors of the EWC plan to investigate the possibility of reinstating online tutoring using available technology so that online tutoring can be conducted more like face-to-face tutoring. Possible solutions would be the use of CCC Confer or Net Tutor.

Based on fall 2005 data, 1,554 individual students used the EWC for a total of 18,510 contact hours. These numbers was almost identical in Fall 2004 when the EWC opened in the new LTRC. As overall student enrollment at the college increases, the usage of the EWC increases also. Not only does increased student population cause increased usage, but additional services also result in increased usage. It should be noted that the Learning Assistance Center Specialist and the Learning Skills Specialist, in conjunction with the English Department, continue to pursue means to enhance services provided in the EWC for Grossmont College students.

The EWC currently is staffed by approximately 20-23 English Skills Peer Tutors, 4 Computer Tutors, and 1 classified Learning Assistance Center Specialist. The Learning Skills Coordinator, an English Department full-time instructor, maintains oversight over services offered in the EWC and works collaboratively with the Learning Assistance Center Specialist to provide services for the students.

Now that the EWC has been operating in the new facility and students are aware of the location, demand has steadily increased. Peer tutoring in the past had been limited to writing; however, starting in Spring 2005, identified peer tutors have also helped students with understanding their college level textbooks in identified psychology and history classes. At the onset of the new service, this introduction of reading tutors into the EWC impacted the demand for tutors, but that demand has leveled off. At present, the EWC can easily provide 120 tutoring sessions per day, and the current tutoring budget provides for approximately 275 hours of tutoring per week.

Full and part time instructors teach English 51 and English 52 in the EWC. The English Department continuously seeks both ESL and English instructors to staff the course.

Finally, the Learning Skills Coordinator has multiple responsibilities that include oversight of the EWC. If services to the students increase, it would be prudent to hire a full-time certificated instructor whose sole responsibility would be to administer and coordinate the academic programs and courses offered in the EWC (to include services offered in both rooms).

Evaluate and reassess the goals of the EWC by looking at the efficient and effective use of the both rooms associated with the EWC.

Consider and investigate the possibility of changes in the usage of the English/ ESL Independent Studies room. As the number of students assessing into English 90 increases, those students may need more access to room 70-122, the room which serves mostly ESL students.

Continue to update software in the EWC.

Evaluate the use of technology for online tutoring.

Investigate content specific software programs to support instructional programs for English 51/52 and specific ESL courses.

Purchase updated grammar or instructor software as needed.

Investigate software to support online tutoring.

Assess the need for additional tutors as well as the need for additional faculty to teach courses offered in the 2 rooms. Reevaluate the software for content and compatibility with the present computer operating system, especially in relation to the anticipated installation of the VISTA operating system.

Investigate upgrades and/or replace writing, grammar, and ESL software.

Hire additional tutors to support tutoring.

Hire additional faculty to support the courses or labs offered in the 2 rooms.

Engage in an ongoing analysis of the services offered in the EWC and the English/ESL Independent Studies to ensure that both rooms serve current student needs.

Assess the need for additional tutors as well as the need for additional faculty to teach courses offered in the 2 rooms. Reevaluate the software for content and compatibility with present computer system with an objective of a smooth transition to use of the VISTA operating system on the roll over computers to be installed late 2009 or early 2010.

Update and replace writing, grammar, and ESL software as needed for compatibility with the VISTA operating system.

Hire additional tutors to support tutoring.

Hire additional faculty to support the courses or labs offered in the two rooms.

Engage in ongoing analysis of the services offered in the EWC (both rooms) and assess the objectives of this plan.