The Learning Commons invites all students to connect with our trained writing assistants and peer tutors as an effective learning strategy for greater success in their college courses.
Working with our writing assistants and tutors also makes your online learning experience at UP more socially connected.
Our peer educators offer a rich synchronous face-to-face experience in Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or GoBoard in the following areas:
The Writing Center: Students can book an appointment at www.up.mywconline.net. For help at a time not offered on the scheduler, students can send an email request to writing@up.edu. Please note that you will create an WCONLINE account the first time you request an appointment.
All other tutoring programs can be accessed the Learning Commons by using our bit.ly link (https://bit.ly/learning-up). Please make appointments at least 12 hours in advance.
Tutoring works best when students use it proactively and consistently during the semester. For example, students can use the Writing Center for brainstorming ideas for a paper and later for working on a first draft. Likewise, those seeking tutoring can work with a tutor a few times leading up to a test. We also welcome small group appointments for 2-4 students at a time; such social learning can be very effective.
Questions about the Learning Commons and our programs can be directed to Jeffrey White at white@up.edu.
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.
All questions regarding the Learning Commons’ virtual tutoring program can be directed to Jeffrey White, Learning Commons Administrator at white@up.edu.
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.
University of Portland
5000 N. Willamette Blvd.,
Portland, Oregon 97203-5798
503.943.8000
