Skype Tutoring

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    Using Skype Tutoring at Madison College 

    What Can I Expect from a Skype Tutoring Session?

    Just like our face-to-face tutoring, Skype tutors serve all Madison College students who want help with their writing. In our online sessions, Madison College tutors use Skype to listen carefully as an objective audience and help you develop what you want to say.Skype tutors can handle papers for a variety of classes, not just English papers. A Skype tutoring session lasts 30 minutes, just like any other tutoring session. However, all Skype tutoring is by appointment only.

    What Are My Responsibilities?

    Students are not required to have a paper draft completed in order to have a Skype tutoring session, but it is crucial for students to have all relevant course documents ready, particularly a description of the assignment.

     

    You will need to download Skype, make an appointment, obtain a web microphone (required), and webcam (optional) prior to your appointment. Then, you’ll need to Skype us at your appointment time.

    Making an Appointment

    To make an appointment with our Skype tutor, email Jake Smale Pappas at jsmale[at] matcmadison [dot] edu telling him when you'd like to hold your virtual session. Jake will confirm receipt of your email and set up a mutually conventient time.  Our Skype tutors make a special effort to be flexible and offer tutoring during off hours.  However, they cannot be on call 24/7, so please be considerate (i.e. they're probably not going to be available at 2 AM on a Saturday). Allow at least 24 hours from the time you make contact to the time of your appointment. 

    Pre-Appointment Preparation

    Note: Please make sure that steps 1-5 are completed at least 24 hours before your session so that your Writing Center Tutor has time to confirm you as a Skype contact and resolve any unexpected problems.

     

    If you already have a Skype username and password, skip to step 5.

    1. Download Skype. If you have not yet downloaded and installed Skype on your computer, please go to Skype.com and download the appropriate version for your operating system (Windows or Mac).
    2. Obtain a web microphone (required) and webcam(optional) for your session.
    3. Create an account at Skype, obtaining a username and password.
    4. Sign into your Skype account.
    5. Add "Matc.Tutor.1 " as one of your Skype contacts. Your Madison College writing tutor will add you to our list of contacts.
       

    Beginning a Skype Session with Your Writing Center Tutor

    At least 5 minutes before your Skype tutoring session is scheduled, do the following:

    1. Plug in the headset and webcamand put them on.
    2. Locate your paper, assignment, and OneCard (or Madison College student ID number).
    3. Open Skypefrom the Start menu on your computer.
    4. At the time of your appointment, call the Writing Center by clicking the "MadisonCollegeWriting Center" in your contact list.
    5. Then, click “Video Call" (for video and audio) or “Call” (for audio only).

                         

     

    You have a 5 minute grace period to call your Writing Center tutor. If you have not called the tutor in that time period, we will sign off and you will have to reschedule your appointment.

    During Your Skype Tutoring Appointment:

    Your Writing Tutor will answer your call, introduce him or herself, fill out information about your professor and class, and then ask you to read your paper out loud over Skype or share your screen.

     

    Working With Your Paper In Skype

    The following tips may come in handy to know:

    • Become familiar with the screen-sharing button when making a call. It is located just under the video window. Hover your cursor over the buttons to identify it.
    • Share your screen with your tutorwhen reviewing a paper. If you need help, your tutor can talk you through this process.
    • Verbal cues can be unreliable in video-calling mode.  Depending on connection quality, there can be a lag between what you say and what appears on screen. Let your tutor know if you are experiencing this glitch.
    • Remember to turn the camera back on after you finish screen-sharing.  It doesn’t revert automatically. 

     

    Last Modified: September 7, 2011