NSU Tutoring Center offers online sessions for students this spring
ABERDEEN, S.D. – As Northern State University students have shifted to online learning this spring, the NSU Tutoring Center has shifted right along with them.
The Tutoring Center is offering online sessions this semester – and it’s been just as busy as usual. During the first week of online sessions, there were 47 student contact hours, which is roughly average for spring semester, said NSU Tutoring Center Director Vicki Evans.
Most sessions were face-to-face in the past, but earlier this semester Evans and Supplemental Instruction Coordinator Erica Bobby decided to implement tutoring in their online English courses. They received a brief Zoom tutorial from Danette Long of NSU Instructional Design.
Now, said Evans, “We have quickly jumped into the ‘deep end of the pool’ as we put our newfound knowledge to work, using it to move individual tutoring and SI online for the rest of the semester.”
Even though they’re online, Zoom sessions allow tutors to interact with students in real time and maintain human connections.
“It’s as close to face-to-face tutoring as we can get,” Evans said.
That’s important, especially as students deal with the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It goes without saying that students are going through a difficult time right now, and anything we can do to help them navigate this situation successfully is vitally important,” Evans said. “Academic support services such as tutoring and SI provide students with a bit of normalcy in the midst of uncertainty. It’s great to be able to have actual conversations with students about their work even though we’re online.”
Evans thanked Bobby, Academic Advisor Krista Bau, and NSU Net Services support staff for their efforts during this transition. She also expressed appreciation for Northern’s tutors.
“The tutors have been absolutely amazing, and I’m so proud of them,” Evans said. “They were more than willing to take on a challenge, and they’ve done a wonderful job.”
Bobby said Evans has done an incredible job spearheading the effort.
“From day one of online instruction, students were able to get academic assistance through the Tutoring Center. Along with transitioning her own class online, she has been Zoom training tutors to best suit their disciplines (which requires screensharing and whiteboarding), scheduling appointments, and communicating with faculty,” Bobby said. “I’m so glad that her hard work and leadership are being recognized. NSU is fortunate to have someone so deeply committed to student success!”
To set up an online tutoring session, students can email nsututoringcenter@northern.edu.
About Northern State University
Northern State University is a regional university that offers outstanding academics and exceptional extracurricular activities at an affordable price on a safe, welcoming campus. Northern State recently announced its Educational Impact Campaign, with a goal of raising $55 million for a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, new athletic and recreation fields, and an on-campus regional sports complex. Once the campaign is complete, NSU will be the recipient of more than $100 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.