College of the Canyons TLC Lab

What is The Learning Center (TLC)?

Going to college involves more than just showing up to class. In a typical class most of the work is done outside of the classroom: homework, group projects, test preparation, and papers. At College of the Canyons there is a place on campus that can help every step of the way, The Learning Center (TLC). TLC offers tutoring in English, math, CIT, and many other subjects. These services are available to enrolled College of the Canyons’ students for their COC courses on a walk-in basis at no charge. No appointment is needed. Student Identification is required for all students who wish to utilize services in The Learning Center (TLC), in both the Valencia and Canyon Country Campus. Student ID may be obtained in the office of Student Development, STNC 102.

English/Writing Tutoring

English and writing tutors are available during all hours of operation at all TLC locations (the main campus and the Canyon Country Campus) to assist students with their needs. Tutors are able to help students through every step of the writing process from understanding the prompt and brainstorming ideas to the completion of a writing assignment for any class. Tutoring is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and there are no appointments necessary. Tutoring sessions are 30 minutes or less, and students may return after revision for a second tutoring session. For assistance with non class-related writing such as resumes, dissertations, or personal letters/applications, please contact Career Center at the Student Center, room 123, or click here to visit their website.

Math and Science Tutoring

Math tutors are available during all hours of operation at all TLC locations (the main campus and the Canyon Country Campus) to assist students with any of their math class needs. Tutors are able to help students through every aspect of their College of the Canyons math classes from homework to understanding concepts and processes.

Tutoring is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and there are no appointments necessary. You may come to The Learning Center to ask math tutors for help on as few or as many of your homework problems as you want. Although tutors are required to move from one student to another in order to meet the needs of all students who come to TLC for math help, each student will be helped throughout the student’s entire stay. Students may return as often as they like.

We have textbooks and solutions manuals available for many of the classes and are available in limited supply for use while in The Learning Center. Soon, you may find yourself embracing math.

Science tutors are available at select times during the week (please see the math and science section for schedule). You may receive help with conceptual questions as well as help completing homework problems or assignments in physics, engineering, biology, and chemistry during the specified hours. Please bring your textbook and assignments for the most accurate help.

Computers

Computer tutors are available during all hours of operation at all TLC locations (the Valencia Campus and the Canyon Country Campus) to assist students with computer programs and navigating the Internet. Whether you need help submitting a paper online or constructing your very own website, once assisted by TLC’s computer tutors, you’ll be much more comfortable utilizing various programs.

Tutoring is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and there are no appointments necessary. Tutors provide one-on-one tutoring sessions with students at their own computers, promoting hands on learning experiences with new computer functions.

There are several CIT textbooks available for students to use while in The Learning Center to further advance students’ understanding of computer programs. Students may also check out headphones for use in TLC.

Goals of the English/Writing Tutor Program

Learning skills tutors provide student assistance in several distinct areas: in-class tutoring in selected courses such as co-requisite English 071L classes, individualized tutoring in one of the tutorial lab locations, online tutoring, and tutor-led Study Jams to augment class content.

The general objective of all learning skills courses is to provide students with the basic skills necessary to succeed in all college programs. The Tutor Program assists in furthering this goal by providing in-class and individualized academic assistance, improving retention, and by helping students develop self-direction and self-confidence.

Also in included in the Tutor Program are professional growth opportunities for tutors, including specialized content training, journal review, small group workshops, participation in the Study Jam program, the Lead Tutor program, online tutoring, and a variety of other opportunities for tutors to hone their skills.

Tutor Program Training

In order to be considered for a tutoring position in The Learning Center at College of the Canyons, tutors should meet the following requirements:

Competence in relevant course material established by a tutor’s earned credit in subject courses, specifically English 101, with a grade of B or higher.
Recommendation by a faculty member in the subject to be tutored
One-on-one interview with appropriate supervisory staff

Additionally, several classes will be required of new tutors:

Tutoring Methods: Classes to be held on Fridays from 9:30am to 10:30am for a period of eight weeks during the spring and fall semesters, dates TBD. This class is not remunerated.
Content Tutoring: Classes will be conducted August 19th-23rd from 9am-2pm.
Supervised Tutoring: Six hours of volunteer supervised tutoring must be completed by each tutor.

Finally, professional growth and learning opportunities will be available for returning tutors, some of which include:

Lead Tutorship: Lead Tutors are ones who have displayed not only exemplary content knowledge, but an excellent work ethic. Lead Tutors also display reliability, loyalty, and commitment to student success and must have at least four semesters of service, as well as knowledge and ability pertaining to TLC functions in addition to content tutoring.
Online Tutoring: Online tutors will serve as a valuable support system to College of the Canyons’ Distance Learning programs by providing the same excellent service for our online students as they do for our students who are physically present. Training will be provided, and online tutors will work in conjunction with colleagues at either the Valencia or Canyon Country Campus.
Study Jams: Tutors may assist in creation and presentation of study jams for students in relevent content areas.

Locations

The Learning Center augments many campus programs. Tutors may be asked to work at any TLC location, including:

Canyon Country Campus
Valencia TLC Lab
English 071 Labs (Valencia or Canyon Country)
Guided Learning Activity Room (Valencia TLC Lab)
Supplemental Learning Room (Valencia TLC Lab)
Exam Proctor/Online Tutor (Canyon Country Campus)

What Can Student’s Expect?

Individual help with writing problems— grammar, mechanics, and organization
Assistance with any stage of the writing process
Assistance with writing assignments for subjects such as history, psychology, political science, etc.
Direction and assistance with formatting and citing references in MLA, AMA, Chicago, and APA.

Tutors Will NOT:

Give students their own email addresses
Line- edit a student’s paper
Discuss or predict a grade on a paper
Proofread or “correct” a student’s paper
Write student papers
Read papers on laptops/notepads/electronic devices – all writing must be printed
Read hand-written papers
Read papers for a student who is not physically present
Stamp a paper when a tutoring session has not been completed

How Much Does it Cost?

Tutoring is free to all COC students enrolled in classes.

Who Does the Tutoring?

Students who have excelled in a particular subject and have been recommended by a faculty member.

What Types of Writing Will a Tutor Help Me With?

English/Writing tutors are available to help students with writing assignments across the disciplines for any class that a student is currently enrolled in at COC. Other types of writing such as personal letters, dissertations, assignments for other high schools or colleges, or resumes and college applications are not handled in The Learning Center. For assistance with these types of writing projects, please contact Career Services in the Student Center (click here to visit their website) , The Transfer Center in Admissions (click here to visit their website).

Tutoring outside of the TLC Lab/Private Tutoring

Many students desire assistance one-on-one outside of the hours of operation of The Learning Center, are looking for a private tutor for a high school student, or for a student attending another university. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange for any private tutoring. Fees and times are arranged between the student and the tutor, independent TLC. Private tutoring cannot take place during a tutor’s regularly scheduled shift in the TLC, or anywhere in TLC. Library and private study rooms are available to check out for private tutoring. Unless seeking tutoring for a class they are enrolled in at COC, Hart District students, including AOC and The Learning Post, are not able to receive tutoring in the TLC Lab. For those looking for a private tutor, please fill out the attached form and it will be posted for our tutors to view.