Tutoring

Walk-In Tutoring consists of face-to-face sessions with some exemptions. Check the “Walk-In Tutoring” option below to choose the programs available for your classes. To request individual tutoring, please fill out the Individual Tutoring Form. Note: Make sure to check your KIRKWOOD STUDENT EMAIL for the tutor information we assign to you; we do NOT send information to your private email. If you do not receive correspondence from us within 24 hours, please contact us.

Kirkwood also utilizes Brainfuse, an online tutoring provider that uses real-time instruction and is available 24 hours a day. To access Brainfuse, please log in to Talon and select the Welcome to Talon tile after scrolling down the page. Once you've selected the Welcome to Talon tile, select Live Online Tutoring which will take you to Brainfuse.

Tutoring services are offered FREE to any Kirkwood student enrolled in credit classes for which tutoring is sought. Students may receive tutoring for two different classes each semester, for up to two hours per week for each class.

Our tutors target individual learning styles and strategies, helping you further understand course content, prepare for exams, expanding study skills get help on difficult portions of a class, and stay on the right track.

The college offers five tutoring format options:

Have you ever noticed that some classes seem easier than others? This may be due to the subject matter, the instructor, and your interest, but your individual learning style might also play a part in your ability to take in information and stimuli. Your brain is unique and you process information differently than anyone else will.

To give you a clearer picture of how you process information and to help enhance your learning potential, we offer this online 44 question quiz developed by North Carolina State to help you discover your learning styles.

If you would like to be a tutor, stop by the Tutoring Services office and fill out an application. Tutors must have an overall GPA of 3.00 and have earned a B+ or better in the course(s) they would like to tutor, or have the approval of the instructor.

Tutoring Services offers a paid 10-hour Tutor Training Workshop. Those tutors who have completed the workshop and have 25 hours of experience are eligible to become CRLA Certified Level 1 tutors. If interested, come to 2071 Cedar Hall for more information.

We aim to serve 100 percent of students who request tutoring for credit courses in which they are currently enrolled.

There are some classes for which tutoring is not offered. Generally, we do not provide tutoring for Continuing Education or English Language Acquisition (ELA) classes. For ELA contact the English department at 319-398-4998.

Walk-In Tutoring

Walk-In Tutoring is conducted on a drop-in basis, with unlimited usage throughout the semester. This is a free service to our students. Tutors are available during specified times each day to assist students at the location specified next to each program listed below.

2078 Cedar Hall

Monday through Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

N/A

May 23 to June 29

2071 Cedar Hall

Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Available online at https://kirkwood.zoom.us/j/93730855628

Online Only

May 24 to Aug. 9

Monday: Noon to 7 p.m.

Wednesday: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

https://kirkwood.zoom.us/my/kccnursingtutoring

N/A

May 23 to June 29

1176 Linn Hall

Monday and Wednesday, 8:10 a.m. to 10 a.m. and Noon to 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

N/A

Tips for Tutoring

You need help understanding the ideas, concepts, or homework.
You need help to prepare for a test.
You are falling behind in class.

Read your syllabus and course schedule. This will help you schedule your tutoring appointments to properly prepare for tests and quizzes without cramming.
Start your homework. This will help identify problem areas to focus on during your tutoring appointment.
Do your best to understand as much of the material as possible.

Textbook
Course materials (syllabus, course schedule, etc.)
Previous homework assignments, quizzes and tests
Notes, study guides, flash cards and other study tools
Homework, similar problems or challenging problems
Specific questions for your tutor

Understand that you may have to wait for the tutor to get to you; please be patient.
Understand that the tutor may need to review your textbook, class notes, and/or previous problems to fully answer your question.
Understand that if there are other students waiting the tutor may not be able to work with you for more than five minutes at a time. Please have your materials and questions ready.
Participate and ask questions! This is YOUR tutoring appointment, so be sure to be involved.
Do not feel embarrassed if you need to have something repeated or need your tutor to slow down.
Your tutor will not do your homework for you, and will not correct your completed homework. There is no other way for you to learn the material than for you to do the work yourself.

Review what you covered with your tutor. This good study habit will help you retain what you learned.

Attend all classes and actively participate! Ask questions and take notes. This may answer your questions immediately. Know and understand instructor's expectations and guidelines.
Form study groups with other students from class to review homework and prepare for tests. The whole group is welcome to stop in for walk-in tutoring!
Your instructor is your best resource! Be sure to ask them your questions as soon as you have them; either in-class, during their office hours, or other methods listed in the course syllabus. They may be able to answer questions that your tutor cannot. Nobody knows the course better than the instructor of the course!

Click to open a Talon login window. Login by entering your "k" number and password. Next, select the Welcome to Talon icon, then click Live Online Tutoring.

Individual Tutoring

All one-on-one tutoring has moved to an online format and students are granted 2 classes and 2 hours of tutoring per class. In addition to individual tutoring, students have access to brainfuse.com, an online tool for tutoring that is available 24/7. Fill out the online form to request one-on-one tutoring (Individual tutoring).

The best way to contact Tutoring Services is to email tutor.services@kirkwood.edu with your Kirkwood student email with any questions or inquiries or call us at 319-398-5425.

Computer Application Skills

Tutoring Services has an 8-station computer lab available for student use that is equipped with all the necessary software to accommodate your academic needs. Each workstation also includes Read&Write, a literacy software that makes the online text more accessible. Questions regarding computer application skills can be directed to any of the support staff members in the Tutoring office.

There are also 6 private rooms available within Tutoring Services, each with its own computer station and full-size whiteboard for students study needs.

Technology Resources

Need additional assistance? Stop by the Allsop Computer Lab in Nielsen Hall or call 319-398-5606. The computer lab assistants are available for all of your computer questions and needs. Explore lab services and devices.

Other campus computer resources include the Computer Skills Lab in Cedar Hall or the Kirkwood library.

Tips for Studying

Stress Management Tips

Students often deal with stress in a campus setting when it deals with grades and testing situations. Test anxiety is nothing more than your nerves and the possibility of failure getting the best of you. You tell yourself that you do not have the skill set necessary to carry out the task, therefore you anticipate failure.

Here are several things you can do to avoid stress and anxiety related to your education.

Take Care of Yourself

Your ability to succeed in the classroom is dependent on how you treat your body. Schedule time in your day to eat properly, have a regular exercise routine, and get sufficient sleep. These three basics will prepare you to cope with whatever the day throws your way.

Don't Make a Mountain Out of a Mole Hill

Evaluate the situation. Is it really as bad as it seems? Imagine yourself in the best and worst case scenario. When you mentally process both possible outcomes you have taken away the fear of the unknown. Your nerves and anxiety has no where to go and you can be calmer about what steps will be necessary to do your best.

Be Prepared

If you are taking an exam, make sure you have studied the materials, including your text, supplemental material, and lecture notes. If the test is over a technique you need to explain to an instructor, make sure you have gone over the technique several times before you make your presentation. Being prepared is the best way to zap the anxiety bug.

Breathe

During your exam take some deep breaths. Deep breathing causes your nervous system to calm down.

Power of Positive Thinking

Before you go into your exam, silently repeat a positive self statement. It may be something as simple as, "I think I can... I think I can." Or, think about a happy time in your life. Studies have shown that positive thoughts prior to exams produce better grades. Don't let yourself get down. Be confident! Be positive!

Decompress

After you have made it through a stressful situation, allow yourself time to enjoy life. Invite your friends over to watch a funny movie, have a cup of coffee with your mentor. Devoted friends will be excited to hear how you overcame a rough situation.

Exercise with a buddy. The endorphins that are released during exercise will make you feel happy, refreshed, and ready to take another test next week!

Like numerous Kirkwood students, you may need assistance in developing study skills and other strategies to achieve success in your coursework. Information on ways to enhance your abilities in taking notes, test taking, time and stress management, and reading textbooks are available.

Being successful in college takes more than attending class. When you are new to college, sometimes there are learning curves to being successful in your classes.

Find out more about:

Citations and sources
Forming a study group
Managing your time
Motivation
Problem-solving
Textbook reading tips
Tips for exams

Sometimes lectures in classes frustrate students. Sometimes lecturers go much faster than some students can follow.

There are many strategies that can help students cope with these frustrations, but one can be significantly helpful: a study group. It has been proven that studying in groups helps many students. As students work in groups, they feel free to ask questions about concepts and topics that are hard to understand.

Strategies for Study Groups

Since it is hard to handle a large group of students, keep the group small (maybe a group of five-six students) for discussions.
Find partners you are comfortable with.
Decide on the place to meet. It should be in a place most accessible to the students in the group.
Decide on the time that works best for the group members.
Choose a group leader.
Groups should meet on weekly basis. When meetings are held less often, such as every other week, attendance tends to drop off as the students often lose interest in what they are doing. These meetings should not, when possible, have any conflicts with other activities. Commitment to meeting regularly will help most students.
Start and end the meetings on time.
Make a list of questions with which you may want some help. You may have questions from the lecture or reading. The group is a place where you can clarify your knowledge regarding your concerns. Some of your questions may be easily answered. Some group members may understand the subject very well and give good suggestions. Clarification of instructional information and content is often much easier with many heads put together. Make sure all members have the opportunity to contribute information they have studied. Quieter group members often have much to share, but may need encouragement to share their thoughts.
Brainstorming test questions together will help group members prepare for (and perform better on) tests. Form a circle so everyone faces one another and asks questions directly. Everyone should bring in a question. Again, make sure each member contributes. Hold a discussion about test questions group members bring.
Past test questions should also be discussed. This will help sharpen the group members’ memories. Pick several problems that could be potential test questions and do them together. Creating a practice test could also help. Share concerns regarding questions on previous tests when appropriate. However, don’t let grievances over the concerns remain the topic of discussion. Instead, find solutions and strategies for managing them on the next test.

Study Groups cannot take the place of individual study and thought, but they are an extremely beneficial study skill for many students. Each student learns from other group members and the social interaction allows members to gain confidence and a sense of mutual support.

We work with over 150 different publishers to provide alternative text files for students. As a member of the AccessText Network, we have fast and efficient access to titles from 30 major academic publishers and their imprints, including Pearson, McGraw-Hill, Macmillan, W. W. Norton, Cengage, and Wiley.

In addition, we are also able to place requests for alternative texts directly to many smaller publishers.

Finally, for class notes, instructor packets and other texts unavailable in an accessible format, we can scan and create accessible files using our own scanner and conversion software.

List of Publishers

Tutoring Services | 2071 Cedar Hall | 319-398-5425

In order to have all of your materials ready by the start of the semester, we recommend the following:

Have you requested accommodations? If you haven’t, stop by Learning Services (2063 Cedar Hall) or fill out the online form. Bring a copy of your accommodation plan with you.
You must have proof of ownership for all of the textbooks you request. Bring your books or your receipt with you.
Bring a flash drive or your laptop where your alternative textbook files can be saved.
Request your texts at least six weeks before the start of class. During peak season, publishers can take several weeks to fulfill requests.
Tutoring Services hours vary in between semesters and during the summer. Call Tutoring Services to verify hours.
All alternative text requests are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis.
In the event that alternative texts Karen’t available from the publisher, Tutoring Services can create files from your textbook. This requires the binding to be cut from your copy so pages can be scanned. The book is rebound and returned to you along with the electronic files.
Files are offered in a Word document and PDF format.
Alternative textbooks are available to students at all of Kirkwood's county centers. Students should work with county center staff to begin the process.
To have Read&Write (a text-to-speech software) installed, bring your laptop. We sometimes accept walk-ins, but we recommend you make an appointment to ensure we will be available to assist you.
Alternative Text Form

Benefits of Alternative Text and Text-to-Speech

Alternative textbooks are essentially books that can be used on your computer. They are paired with Read&Write, which is software that highlights each word as it is read out loud.

Combining reading with visual and audio elements has several proven benefits:

Supports independent learning and understanding.
Improves confidence and comprehension levels for struggling readers.
Helps students who struggle with reading because of dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, or other learning, mental or physical disabilities.
Assists English language learners and individuals with English as a second language.

Alternative texts and Read&Write are available free of charge to any student who receives accommodations at Kirkwood.

Our Mission

The mission of Kirkwood’s Tutoring Services is to provide academic support to all students enrolled at Kirkwood Community College, creating an open environment of learning for students.

Our Goals

Provide free tutoring for students.
Maintain non-discriminatory practices in operations and services.
Tutoring Services will work with a variety of campus and community resources to provide effective learning opportunities for culturally diverse, first generation, non-traditional, physically challenged, and at risk populations in addition to all other student demographics.
Provide a welcoming and safe learning environment where students can seek instruction to become self confident learners.
Staff and tutors will come to work each day prepared to help all Kirkwood students gain knowledge to improve performance.
Offer a variety of tutoring format options to meet location and time constraints of our learners.
Serve 100 percent of credit student tutor requests.
Through the CRLA certified tutor training program, provide our tutors with opportunities for professional development.
Maintain and expand our study skills program.
Staff the tutoring computer lab with trained personnel and maintain current software compatible to campus-wide learning.
Provide professional development opportunities to faculty and staff in order to keep current with academic trends.
Regularly assess effectiveness of program services through faculty/staff and tutor/learner evaluations.
Maintain academic standards consistent with the institution.
Meet yearly budget goals.

Kirkwood Community College is the only college in Iowa accredited by both the CRLA and NADE.
CRLA (College Reading and Learning Association) - is an internationally known body whose main function and overall purpose is to provide a forum for the interchange of ideas, methods, and information to improve student learning and to facilitate the professional growth of its members.

NADE (National Association for Developmental Education) - has certified tutoring services for demonstrating application of theory, use of quality practices, training, use of data, and use of a continuous assessment and improvement process. As part of the CRLA and NADE certification process a Tier 1 and Tier 2 Tutor Training Program is provided to all tutors.

Tutoring Services
For an appointment, please email tutor.services@kirkwood.edu or call 319-398-5425 and leave a message with your contact information.

2071 Cedar Hall
Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more information call 319-398-5425.