Tutoring center plans for online service

Homework help could be available at home

By: William Kennedy

Posted: 12/9/09

On a cool November evening, Alex Larin, 27, sits in front of his televison set, not to watch the latest episode of "Gossip Girl," but to watch the latest installment of College of Marin's televised political science course. Larin says it is easier for him to take distant learning courses due to his conflicting work schedule. However, when asked about using online tutoring, Larin is not so concerned with his busy schedule. "If I am going to seek the advice of a tutor, I would rather be physically interacting with them," said Larin.

For students like Larin who have not used or found an on-line tutoring program that works, Becky Reetz, COM tutoring center coordinator, hopes that an on-line tutoring program along with the COM's tutoring center, will give students every possible option.

COM currently offers 25 on-line courses and five televised courses, ranging from math and English to philosophy and dance. Distant learning courses provide students the ability to take courses without coming to the campus. When a student needs that extra bit of help, they turn to the tutoring center. Soon the CCC Confer online tutoring program might be the answer that students crunched for time have sought.

The program offers all the amenities of a classroom directly on a computer and is currently used in over 100 community colleges throughout California, averaging 100 tutoring sessions a day. "The [California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office] has funded the program since 2001," said Elane Torrisi, CCC client services assistant "I do not see us going anywhere, anytime soon."

Reetz plans to bring the CCC program to COM soon. "The program is free for the college and its students," said Reetz." The priority is to hire tutors for more money than lets say they would make at In and Out." With CCC, Reetz and COM should have the extra funds to do so.

Reetz has enlisted the help of COM teacher Ira Lansing, who is familiar with using on-line tutoring. Lansing hopes that the program will be one of many avenues that his students can use to get the extra help needed. "I offer an online class," said Lansing. "I want to make available tutoring that does not require coming on campus."
On-line tutoring is not a new concept for COM and Reetz. In 2005, the tutoring center received a grant from a company called Smart Thinking. Aimed at students who take classes at night, the Smart Thinking program was a failure.

"I thought the night students would grab onto this," said Reetz. "Even though the program was free, only one student consistently used it."

Other California community colleges, however, have found great success with CCC, including Saddle Back Community College in Mission Viejo. 2009 was the first year Saddle Back used CCC and they already offer five classes for tutoring, with an average of 30 students participating in each class. "The students seem grateful," said Patti Weekes. director of tutoring at Saddle Back.
For those students who are using COM's tutoring center and students, the idea of an on-line tutoring center brings out mixed reactions. "I would not use it at home," said Julie Bustinza. Bustinza is an avid user of the tutoring center and like many students, has a family at home; she finds it is easier for her to learn and study on campus. However, some students believe any avenue of additional assistance is worthwhile. "The more help the better," said Krystel Belerra.

Reetz remains hopeful that the CCC will be a success. She is also very interested in hearing what the students have to say. For questions or comments about the program contact Becky Reetz at, becky.reetz@marin.edu.