By Raelee Kelley
Staff Reporter
Harold Washington College is now offering free access to online tutoring, available 24 hours a day, through a website called SmartThink.
SmartThink provides access to Math and English tutors who are experts in their field. Most English and Math professors have set up the link to SmartThink on Blackboard. There is no need for a code, all that is necessary is to click on the SmartThink link and be taken directly to the website. Once there, the student can submit a paper for feedback or receive assistance with challenging math problem.
HWC provides resources to assist students with their assignments, including professors’ office hours, the Writing Lab, the Math Lab and the library. However, the Writing Lab is only open until 6 p.m., the Mathematics and Computer Sciences Lab until 4 p.m. and the library until 9 p.m.
SmartThink will provide additional hours of assistance, especially for students with busy schedules.
"I am enthusiastic to learn more about the online English tutoring, as the writing lab may not always be the most convenient option for all of my students, and online tutoring might offer more flexibility and therefore be utilized more efficiently,” said English professor, Larnell Dunkley.
Students also described possible benefits of the program.
"Because sometimes going into the Writing Lab can be intimidating for someone like me who is quite shy and is uncomfortable confronting professors,” said Ashley Chavez, an English student.
"Sometimes when I am home and attempting to work on a new math concept I would like feedback from a math tutor, I can't believe that, with this new program, I can have my own private tutor at any time,” said another HWC student.
For more information on the program students can contact Jacquelyn Werner, Director of Academic Support Services at jwerner9@ccc.edu
Remember to ask your professor about adding the SmartThink Link to Blackboard to gain access to the online tutoring.
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