I have students who could benefit from meeting with a tutor to get additional help with their coursework. How can I encourage them to come to the Learning Center? Tutors meet with students in open-lab/drop-in or by half-hour appointments, depending on the subject area. There is no charge. Complete the Online Referral Form and send your student to the Learning Center, room 2400 DP or A135 RHC, with a copy of the form. Subjects Tutored (depending on tutor availability.) Our most popular subjects: English Chemistry Computer Information Systems Accounting Math Physics Computer Aided Design Other subjects by request Schedules for a specific subject are available online for your students. Tutor qualifications The College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) as a Master Level program have certified Oakton's tutoring program at the Masters Level. Tutors complete training each semester and are certified at regular, advanced and master levels. Tutors as Study Group Leaders The Learning Center's tutors can attend your classes and then lead a study group outside of class. Tutors communicating your style of teaching Contact the learning specialist for your area to discuss how our tutors can convey your style of teaching. Math/Science Emma Hendrieth English Terese Conway Other subjects Ramona Ellyin Top of Page If I want to make arrangements for a student to take a make-up test in the Testing Center, how should I proceed? Eligible Students: ASSIST students with special needs, students enrolled in media-based courses, on-line courses, and students who miss their tests in class for an excused absence may take tests in the Testing Center. Limits: The Testing Center is not as an option for your whole class, for re-takes or extra credit tests. Only those students meeting the criteria described above are eligible. Faculty Arrangements: Faculty must bring the test to the Testing Center, room 2409 DP or A135 RHC, and complete a blue "Faculty Instruction Form" listing the students names and any other directions for administering the test. Hours of operation: Students may take their tests any time the Testing Center is open. No appointments are necessary. Security: Tests are signed into your folder and kept in a locked file. Students coming in to take tests must sign in and show a photo I.D. before they are given the tests. Staff will monitor your students and follow your directions about using notes, calculators and dictionaries. Faculty must pick up and sign for all completed tests. The Testing Centers at both campuses have electronic surveillance systems with the ability to record the days activity on videotape. Top of Page If I have a student with a physical or learning disability in my class, what services are available? According to Federal Law-Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), no otherwise qualified person can be excluded because of a disability. ASSIST services are provided to give college able students with disabilities an equal access to education without lowering standards or altering course requirements. Definition of Learning Disability A learning disability is a persistent difficulty, possibly neurological in origin, which affects acquiring, processing, storing, or using information. Difficulties are manifested in any of the following areas: attention, memory, reasoning, coordination, writing, reading, spelling, calculation, social competence, and emotional maturation. It should be noted that students with learning disabilities have average to above-average intelligence. Accommodations No changes in teaching methods, class standards, or expectations are required. ASSIST students are expected to complete assignments on time, meet attendance requirements, participate in class discussion, and exhibit appropriate behavior. Instructors are generally not notified in advance that ASSIST students will be in a class since self-advocacy is encouraged and their right to privacy respected. Classroom accommodations may include extended time on tests, a sign language interpreter, front row seating, enlarged materials, or other individualized needs. All accommodations are arranged through the ASSIST office. Unlimited time is generally not recommended for students who need "more time" to take a test. Many students who require extended time will be given time and a half to complete exams. The recommendation will be congruent with the student's disability. Requests for test accommodations must be made before the test is given. If a student fails a test and then presents an accommodation sheet for extended time on exams, the student may not retake the test with extended time. Retroactive requests for accommodations are not given. Top of Page If I have students who are having difficulty with reading their textbooks, taking notes, preparing for exams, test anxiety, stress management, and managing time, how can the Learning Center learning specialists help them develop college-level strategies? Study skills consultations A private session with a Learning Center learning specialist can assist the student in improving test taking, note taking, or time management skills. On the Des Plaines campus, contact Evanthia Rosati, the Reading and Study Skills Specialist, at 847-635-1795 in Room 2400. At the Ray Hartstein Campus, contact Ramona Ellyin at 847-376-7679 in Room A135. Complete the Online Referral Form and send your student to the Learning Center, room 2400 DP or A135 RHC, with a copy of the form. On-line surveys Topics such as: procrastination, test anxiety, learning styles, note taking, textbook reading, time management, test taking strategies, research paper skills, and stress management. Test performance Analysis Students can meet with a Learning Specialist to review why they selected inappropriate test answers. Study Groups Students are encouraged to form study groups. the Learning Center Learning Specialists can help coordinate a group session and assign a tutor if possible. Top of Page If I have students who need help with written assignments, how do I refer them to the Learning Center for help? Direct students to tutoring for an individual half-hour appointment. You can help tutors and students by using the Online Referral Forms, or a hard copy of the referral form available in Div. 3 or in the Learning Center. If you prefer, you can write a note on the student's essay suggesting the type of support that is needed. However, if your student is unable to come to campus for tutoring, he/she is welcome to use our English Tutoring online. Tutor Qualifications The Learning Center English tutors are OCC English faculty who have previous college teaching experience. Enrolled students may make individual half-hour appointments with tutors or use open lab (drop-in) hours. Students can schedule a half-hour appointment Tutor Responsibilities Tutors will follow your suggestions on the referral form or your note. However, if there is no faculty guidance, tutors commonly assist students in selecting a topic, developing a thesis, supporting and organizing ideas. Tutors will look for patterns of grammatical errors, explain the rules and give examples but will not discuss every error. In all cases, students are responsible for recording notes taken during the tutorial. English/ESL Workshop Workshops on a specific topic in grammar or writing is offered periodically. Contact Richard Wagle or Gerry Herrera to discuss the needs of your students. Electronic Resources Software and Internet resources for improving grammar, writing or reading are available. English As A Second Language Resources including grammar workshops, tutorial software, advising, and one-on-one tutoring can aid those who need assistance in strengthening their English skills. Top of Page If I have a student who could benefit from personalized academic support, what services are available? SSS TRiO for first-generation and/or low-income students can provide learning plans, regularly scheduled tutor appointments and Academic Advisors to help students prepare for university transfer. Top of Page If I would like a Learning Specialist or tutor to speak to my class about the support services available for students, how can this be arranged? Contact the Learning Center by completing the Class Visit Request form or calling (847) 635-1658. 15 minute introduction to the Learning Center services The Learning Center lab orientation for English (grammar, writing topic), math, or study skills software that can be introduced to your class. Study skills presentations. Choose from the following topics, or your special request for a 30-45 minute session: Procrastination Test anxiety Learning styles Note taking Textbook reading Time management Test taking strategies Research paper skills Stress management.

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