As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to loom over the world, more and more university and college campuses have moved their classes online.
With more than one-third of the world’s population now working remotely, universities are scrambling to provide learning opportunities for their students.
While many may still be itching to get back to the comfort of their homes, many are finding the experience of teaching online both rewarding and insightful.
Why Full Text?
Full text is a type of teaching where students view an article or piece of writing in its entirety, often stopping to comment on it as they go.
This is in contrast to a quick excerpt or an outline, which may only cover the key points of an article.
While other forms of teaching can undoubtedly be done remotely, such as video-conferencing or webinars, it’s not the same as actually being in the classroom with a tutor – seeing and hearing your fellow students ask questions and provide feedback as you go. This can only happen in person.
How Can Universities Tackle the Task?
Many institutions have moved to a model of blended learning, where some students attend class in person while others learn from the comfort of their homes.
In addition to this, many universities and colleges are utilizing the services of academic support professionals, such as writing tutors, who can visit students at home or at a convenient location for one-on-one sessions.
However, the sheer volume of work that goes into a single article or piece of writing means that even a single student may require additional help. This is where an online writing tutor comes in.
With a little bit of research, a university or college can easily identify the best online tutors for their specific needs, whether it be technical editing, grammar or vocabulary assistance, or even just general advice on structuring a piece of writing.
What Does an Online Writing Tutor Do?
An online writing tutor acts as a guide through the process of writing a piece of literature.
They may initially take on an introductory role, helping you to develop your ideas and presenting you with a well-reasoned thesis or statement.
As you progress through your studies, your online writing tutor will then take on a more interactive role, correcting your work and helping you to refine your ideas and arguments, as you present them.
As part of this responsibility, they may suggest alternative ways in which you could have proven your point, or provide insights into how your writing could be made more effective.
To conclude, teaching writing online is a rich experience for both teacher and student alike.
However, even during this time of need, nothing can truly substitute for the personal connection that comes from being in a classroom with a tutor, seeing and hearing your fellow students ask questions and provide feedback as you go.