Learning Commons

The Learning Commons Virtual Tutoring Program

We are Pilots. Together we're strong.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Learning Commons has successfully shifted to all-online tutoring for the foreseeable future.

Students can access Learning Commons tutoring using the same methods as before, with one exception: Drop-in math tutoring is not drop-in online math tutoring (see below). Our tutoring offers a rich face-to-face experience in Microsoft Teams.

Math Resource Center: We offer both drop-in and by-appointment tutoring online.

Drop into the new online MRC Hangout Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM to do your homework with other students and for math tutoring. See our schedule below to find out when tutors are in to tutor your course.

We also offer our Sunday Afternoon Math hours every Sunday from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM during which Teams channels are set up by math class (e.g., 201, 202, etc.) for homework study groups. A MRC tutor hosts these hours and can provide some support to these groups of peers working together to learn math.

Students can go to https://up.mywconline.net/ to or the Learning Commons website to access the WCONLINE scheduler. MTH 141 appointments are available at math141@up.edu. For help at a time not offered on the scheduler, students can send an email request to mathtutor@up.edu.

Writing Assistance: Students can an appointment at www.up.mywconline.net or go to the Learning Commons website to click the link to the appointment scheduler. For help at a time not offered on the scheduler, students can send an email request to writing@up.edu.

Nursing Tutoring: For individual and group peer tutoring in any of the 100–400 level nursing classes, BIO 205, and anatomy and physiology courses students should send an email to nrstutor@up.edu. For biology and A&P tutoring, they can also contact biotutor@up.edu to make an appointment.

The Language Studio: Students can access language tutor hotlines at chinesetutor@up.edu, frenchtutor@up.edu, germantutor@up.edu, or spanishtutor@up.edu.

Natural Sciences Center: Students can request biology, chemistry, and physics tutoring appointments at biotutor@up.edu, chemtutor@up.edu, or physicstutor@up.edu.

Business Tutoring: Students can request for tutoring in economics (econtutor@up.edu), accounting (accountingtutor@up.edu), finance (financetutor@up.edu), OTM (otmtutor@up.edu), business law (bizlaw@up.edu), and MTH 141/Finite Math (math141@up.edu).

Speech & Presentation Lab: Students can improve your presentation skills online by requesting an appointment at speech@up.edu.

Group Work Lab: Students can meet as a group to develop their project with a Group Work Lab consultant at groupwork@up.edu.

Computer Science: Students can access the computer science tutors at StepUP@up.edu.

Accessing Teams for online learning and tutoring

Since all tutoring takes place in Microsoft Teams, your tutor will contact you via Teams to confirm your tutoring appointment. Microsoft Teams platform is available through the University’s Office 365 MyApps at https://myapps.up.edu. We suggest that you download the app.

To support the success of their virtual tutoring appointments students can take the following steps:

Use a laptop or tablet with a camera and microphone.
Become familiar with the Office 365 MyApps and search for the Teams app. Go to an introductory video on joining a meeting in Teams at https://support.office.com/en-us/article/join-a-teams-meeting-078e9868-f1aa-4414-8bb9-ee88e9236ee4.
If possible, download the Microsoft Teams app on their device.
Schedule appointments 48 hours in advance, if possible.
Maintain patience and understanding as some of our tutors may still be developing their proficiencies with running virtual tutoring session on Teams.
The Learning Commons has published suggestions for adjusting to online learning. This helpful guide is available here.

All questions regarding the Learning Commons’ virtual tutoring program can be directed to Jeffrey White, Learning Commons Administrator at white@up.edu.

Why make the Learning Commons a part of your college toolkit...

Located in Buckley Center 163 on online in Microsoft Teams, The Learning Commons connects with our peer tutors, assistants, and consultants in a variety of disciplines to deepen your learning through practice, questions, and review.

Our trained peer tutors are available for all UP students who want to reach greater levels of success in various disciplines and skill areas such as writing, math, foreign languages, sciences, speech and presentations, nursing, economics and business, and group project planning.

The Learning Commons' tutor training program is nationally recognized by the College Reading and Learning Association's International Tutor Training Program Certification. Our content tutors are either certified as Level 1 tutors or are working toward certification. Our writing assistants in the Writing Center take a three-credit training course in preparation to support UP students.

The Learning Commons is a program of the Shepard Academic Resource Center.