Lisa Swearingen
For students, staff or faculty members the Daytona State College Writing Center is a refreshing addition for those seeking help with writing assignments.
The CWC offers individual assistance through professional tutors who have years of experience in the field. Any type of writing help is offered at the CWC, including creative writing, essays and resume builders. The CWC doesn’t limit itself to one type of writing genre and can provide assistance to anyone with writer’s block, or just an editing session.
Workshops are also included at the CWC. The staff encourages group workshops or any ideas that could be of great interest and educational means to the center. The workshops would have to be writing-based related, which can include issues stemming from citation style, thesis ideas and statements or simple organizational skills.
Dr. Becca Block, the CWC’s director says that the Center wants people to know that they can come in to “brainstorm and research way before the assignment is due”. She also says that their main focus is to “be engaged-focused on the writer’s concerns”. Block also says that people can use the Center’s resources which include handbooks, handouts and computers.
“Even staff members have come in to improve their writing skills.” Block says that if a student only wants help with one sentence and not their entire essay, then that’s what will happen. They will help with whatever the student needs, “Even if you only want us to help you with two sentences and just have writer’s block”. The CWC is there to help.
Making and keeping appointments at the CWC is valued because the Center’s schedule and it’s tutors might be booked. The appointments consist of three 45 minute sessions a week. The center also recommends that if there is a possibility of a “no show”, call ahead so another student can have that valued time. The Center does welcome walk-ins, though.
The CWC began in August of this year and during the fall A semester, the Center had over “350 students attend” the Writing Center, and some have become “regulars”. The schedule for this fall has been Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., but the CWC is hoping to get evening and weekend hours during the spring semester of 2011.
Block also says that the Center is working on creating virtual and video workshops for the classrooms and lesson plans for professors. The CWC is also looking towards bringing aboard online consultations so that students who cannot physically come in to the Center can work on their writing whenever it’s convenient for them.
The Center recommends giving them feedback so they can focus on what can be changed for the better. Block says that an anonymous survey feedback stated, “I like the Writing Center. It’s the best thing since plumbing”.
Natacha Naranjo, a pharmacy major and employee at the CWC says, “If you just want to write, you can go in without requesting a tutor.” She also says, “We’ve been really busy and it’s a comfortable atmosphere”.
If a student, staff or faculty member is interested in checking out the Daytona State Campus Writing Center, and would like to take a look around, the Center is located in the library, Bldg. 200, rm. 107. Also, there are ways of reaching the Center via email at CWC@DaytonaState.edu or by calling 386-506-3297 for more details.