Virtual Conference: The Learning Spot/Reading and Writing Center

The Learning Spot/Reading and Writing Center

Dr. Beatriz González, and Jennie Canete 

Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus

As part of Miami Dade College’s Collegewide Strategic Goal of Educational Quality, MDC drives innovation through teaching, mentoring and learning experiences that seek to transform students, the community, our nation and abroad. As such, we seek to support, promote, represent and serve every Miami Dade College student by providing a rigorous curriculum and a comprehensive set of support services that contributes to their academic and future success. At Wolfson Campus, the Learning Spot/Reading and Writing Center work with students at every level in all programs, at various stages of degree completion. In 2019, our initiatives focused on faculty support, curriculum support, data collection, staff innovation, student services collaboration, feeder school collaboration, with both incoming high schools and upper division schools of transfer, and technological innovation.

Faculty Support

▪ Faculty Cadres-Each tutor is assigned to reach out to faculty (including adjuncts) to share Reading and Writing Center/The Learning Spot information and follow up with on student reporting, events, and address needs of the faculty for student assistance.
▪ Faculty Conveners-English & Communication Discipline conveners hosted a collegewide event for English & Communication Majors-Open Mic Event, held in The Learning Spot during Miami Book Fair at Wolfson Campus.
▪ Personalized invitations are sent to all campus faculty about the Keep Educating Yourself Seminar Series-Faculty may attend a seminar with a class or it can be scheduled to correspond with the faculty member’s class times; if there is something not listed that the faculty wishes to offer, we will design and implement it.

Curriculum Support

▪ Pop up Tutor Tables-Based on classroom traffic patterns, tables are placed around campus with available tutors to share RWC material and allow drop in visits by students who need quick paper review and to schedule follow up in the RWC/Learning Spot.
▪ KEYS seminars/workshops-These are hosted at the Learning Spot throughout the term (ex. Thesis Statement, Essay Structure, Incorporating Sources, etc.) with morning, evening and Saturday sessions of each.

Data Collection

▪ Student Case Management System on Microsoft OneNote-Every student who registers for a face to face or online appointment in the Reading and Writing Center/Learning Spot will have a OneNote casefile opened with basic student contact information, assignments (if on paper, scanned; if digital, uploaded), and faculty reporting/communication on student progress. In addition, via secure link only accessible to advisor/RWC managers/supervisors-test scores, recent transcripts, academic history, and if the student puts it forward, Access or Veteran information.
▪ This data is examined for patterns of strengths and weaknesses in the student population served to guide future innovations and more effective support and collaboration initiatives.

Staff Innovation/Center Promotion

▪ Tutor Training Manual-Detailed established Reading and Writing Center protocols were discussed and established for student intake, assessment, faculty communication, support resources, and student case management system.
▪ Front Desk Manual-Detailed established protocols were discussed and established for student service, space/equipment monitoring, communication with service departments, and Learning Spot initiatives including workshops, seminars, and technology training.
▪ The Learning Spot/Reading and Writing Center services brochure-This includes information on the computer courtyard, the reading and writing center services, the online document feedback options, and a Meet the Tutors section that includes a short photo/biographic material of staff. This is shared with all academic disciplines, student services offices, and Learning spot visitors.
▪ StudyFest-The Learning Spot hosts an event during exam week with snacks and additional tutor support during finals week, as an additional supplement to the campus ‘Road to Finals’ study initiative by Learning Resources.

Student Services Collaboration

▪ Collaboration with Financial Aid-As part of a student services tour, the students come to the Learning Spot to review Scholarship Essay preparation in workshop format for the narrative portions of the Financial Aid application.
▪ Collaboration with Honors College-In preparation for the vast number of expected higher division applications, the Learning Spot hosts a Transfer Application Essay workshop for the Honors College.
▪ Collaboration with New Student Center-We provide copies of the Learning Spot/Reading and Writing Center brochure for all incoming orientation folders, for new direct entry and returning students.

Feeder School Collaboration (High Schools/Schools of Transfer)

▪ Collaboration with FIU-Working with the Humanities Bridge Advisor from Florida International University, the Learning Spot hosted a transfer readiness session-FIU options were shared and assistance provided, as well as tutor support during the session for narrative portions of the transfer application.
▪ As part of a campus orientation tour, we host multiple feeder schools and provide Reading and Writing Center/The Learning Spot information material to attendees.
▪ Partnership with Student Services-The Learning Spot and Reading and Writing Center were present for table and audiovisual presentation to feeder pattern high schools both on site and during orientations/recruitment events such to include Coral Gables Sr. High, Miami Springs Sr. High, Metamajor Presentations, Registration Expos, Campus Open House, High School Senior Conference Day, and the FIN Resource Fair.

Technological Innovation

▪ WConline-Document Feedback/Online Consultation-Students can schedule a face to face or online session via WCOnline. Students who choose online attach files with assignment instructions and drafts to the appointment reservation digitally. The tutor reviews the document utilizing Adobe comments and then uploads the document with feedback to the appointment session. The tutor meets the student in a chat room with whiteboard for discussion that includes a ‘face to face’ session conducted via audio/visual component on WConline, much like Facetime or Skype.
▪ An online survey was created and distributed to students who participated in an Online Document Feedback session; this is being explored for strengths and weaknesses to improve service to students.
▪ Development of Sharknet page-A campus ‘facebook’ was started to feature events, pictures, course offerings, resources and serve as an information sources for interested campus students.

Miami Dade College believes students should be at the center of any academic design; at The Learning Spot/Reading and Writing Center, there is no shortage of the drive, vision and hard work needed to enhance every student’s experience. We are a part of a rich academic community that measures its value through their successful outcomes; that inspiration endures.