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MCC Daily Tribune

The Tutoring and Academic Assistance Center Welcomes Faculty to Book In-Class Workshops

The Tutoring and Academic Assistance Center (TAAC) is now offering in-class workshops for the Fall 2023 semester, and registration is now open! Faculty will be able to book an Academic Coach or Writing Consultant to lead students through one of our skill-focused workshops. All workshops incorporate interactive activities and/or supplementary handouts and resources. Skills are taught by writing consultants and academic coaches in time management, writing, note-taking, study strategies, test preparation, and more!

What is an Academic Coach?

An academic coach focuses on study skills and strategies, including time management, learning styles, and reading comprehension in any subject. Rather than focusing directly on content, academic coaches help students become better learners, improve study habits, and enhance planning to complete assignments. Coaches are reading specialists and can help students develop strategies and skills to better understand what they are reading across all subjects.

What is a Writing Consultant?

A writing consultant is a writing specialist who fosters the development of independent writing, improving student confidence. Writing consultants assist in any step of the writing process, from brainstorming to final revision and editing, and help with papers, writing assignments, and presentations across all disciplines. They help students select from a range of stylistic choices, develop new writing skills, and discover their unique voices as writers.

Tutoring and Academic Assistance Center Academic Workshops 

The TAAC will come to your class for a guided, interactive lesson on the academic skills that will contribute to their overall success as students. Questions? Contact Alexandra Garlock (agarlock@monroecc.edu), Course-Based Learning Assistance Aide.

Workshop Menu: (more information below)

  1. TAAC Information Session
  2. What is Academic Coaching?
  3. Using a Planner
  4. Getting the Most Out of a Textbook
  5. Note-Taking Strategies
  6. Test-Taking Strategies and Test Anxiety
  7. What is Writing Anxiety?
  8. Planning Out the Writing Process
  9. The Anatomy of a Paper: Essay Structure
  10. Checking for Truth in Information
  11. Engaging in the Writing Process: Drafting a Research Paper
  12. Avoiding Plagiarism: Paraphrasing, Quoting, and Citing Your Research
  13. Writing Consultant-Led Peer Review

Booking Instructions

  1. Click on the link below for the Bookings page.
  2. Be sure to click on the (i) icon to read the specific details of the workshop.
  3. Fill out your preferred date and time. If no preferred time slots are available, please email us. We might be able to accommodate you.
  4. Fill out the details and additional information section.

Please Note: The 1-hour workshops can be modified to fit what is best for you and your class.

TAAC Workshops and Services Bookings Link

Feel free to contact Alexandra Garlock (agarlock@monroecc.edu), Course-Based Learning Assistance Aide, with any additional questions.

ACADEMIC COACHING WORKSHOPS

TAAC Information Session 

(10-15 minutes) This information session discusses all of the TAAC services. Students will learn about the different types of tutors and appointments, academic coaching, and how to book a tutoring appointment on TracCloud.

What is Academic Coaching?

(10-15 minutes) This information session discusses what Academic Coaching is, the skills Academic Coaches can help with, and the reasons why students might meet with an Academic Coach. Students will also fill out a short study skills questionnaire to determine their strengths as well as areas they might need to work on and engage in a brief coaching activity.

Using a Planner

(30, 45, or 60 minutes) This workshop discusses how to set up and use both a paper and digital planner. Using a planner helps keep track of assignments, due dates, classes, work, and social events. Learn to manage your time effectively by creating good academic planner habits that will set you up for college success. All students will receive a free student planner.

Getting the Most Out of a Textbook

(30, 45, or 60 minutes) Textbooks can be overwhelming and cover a lot of information. This workshop will help students learn how to become active readers and provide strategies to help them read textbooks more effectively. Effective reading strategies can ensure that you understand course material, come to class prepared, and perform better on class assignments and tests.

Note-Taking Strategies

(30, 45, or 60 minutes) Notetaking is an essential learning skill in college. Actively taking notes during class can help you understand main concepts and learn what you have heard. This workshop discusses the importance of note-taking, tips for taking good notes, five different methods for taking notes in class, and options for digital notes. Learn how notes are an important tool for reviewing and studying class material and helping you prepare for exams.

Test-Taking Strategies and Test Anxiety

(30, 45, or 60 minutes) Taking exams in college can be stressful and difficult. This workshop discusses how to prepare for tests and strategies to use while taking them in order to improve your performance. Learn about resources and suggestions to reduce test anxiety and improve your testing experience in college.

WRITING WORKSHOPS 

Planning Out the Writing Process

(30, 45, or 60 minutes) Do you ever wait until the last minute to start a writing assignment?  Learn how to make a schedule for writing a paper by breaking an assignment into a series of smaller steps in order to space out the work.  Managing your time effectively can reduce stress and allow you to do your best work.  Learn how to break writing into smaller, more manageable goals, and reward yourself in the process.

What is Writing Anxiety?

(30, 45, or 60 minutes) Writing in college can be overwhelming and stressful.  This workshop offers solutions for students who are experiencing negative feelings about their writing and are having trouble getting started.  Do you know why you procrastinate?  Writing anxiety can be the culprit behind your procrastination.  Learn how to understand and manage writing anxiety and become more confident in yourself as a writer.

The Anatomy of a Paper: Essay Structure

(30, 45, or 60 minutes) Do you find it difficult to organize your thoughts or get stuck on how to get started on a writing assignment?  This workshop will walk you through the writing formula and the basic anatomy of an essay by breaking down each section. Learn how to connect each step together to create a structured essay.

Checking for Truth in Information

(30, 45, or 60 minutes) The information we have at our disposal in this digital age certainly has its benefits—we have so much right at our fingertips—but this level of access requires us to be diligent and critical in our assessment of information and the source of content. In this workshop, we will learn how to understand and navigate rhetoric and evaluate the source of the information you hear and read. Discover best practices for finding and vetting information and how to assess their credibility.

Engaging in the Writing Process: Drafting a Research Paper

(30, 45, or 60 minutes) Did you know that the writing process begins before the pen hits the page—or the fingers hit the device? Learn how brainstorming and research enter you into the very first stages of the writing process. Discover ways to initiate your path to research—and how to navigate shifts along this path as you come across new findings. Learn, too, how research is needed to evidence your arguments and ideas—how to integrate such evidence into your writing—and how to be strategic in how you select research and thread it into your writing.

Avoiding Plagiarism: Paraphrasing, Quoting, and Citing Your Research

(30, 45, or 60 minutes) Learn about tools and services for saving and citing your sources, being strategic about your selection of information and quotes, integrating your sources into your assignment, putting information from your sources into your own words, and writing in-text citations and a works cited page.

Writing Consultant-Led Peer Review

(60 or 90 minutes - held at the TAAC) Schedule a writing consultant-led peer review workshop. In this workshop, your students can come to the TAAC and conduct peer reviews of each other's work with a writing consultant present to facilitate the peer review and help students as needed.

*All workshops and descriptions have been developed by Anne Devine, the TAAC Lead Academic Coach, and Jamey Keeton, the TAAC Lead Writing Consultant.

Jason Parker
Learning Support Systems
09/12/2023