Online group tutoring can be extremely beneficial and convenient for students, and the topics discussed below will explain why. If you would like more specific information about group tutoring itself, advantages and disadvantages of group work, or who is participating in online group tutoring, please return to our group tutoring home page.

What Do We Do?

Online tutoring--one of the strategies for success in the nursing program -- uses faculty-developed study guides that emphasize essential content by allowing students to apply class material to clinical situations.  A study guide may be available online for each class in the first year of study. Students can meet in the "chat room" to review the study guides; some group study sessions are faculty-monitored, which often helps students focus on content and form productive groups.

Students who participate in group tutoring will use a program called WebCT. This online program enables participants to access weekly study guides and to interact with group members via realtime chats -- an important component of group work. Students may also send and receive intergroup mail. WebCT is beneficial to students in that all communication is private. Only first-year nursing students have access to the study guides and can participate in chat sessions. More information about WebCT is available in the section "Joining the Group."

Meeting Online

An orientation to the online environment is offered in the beginning of the semester. This essential session allows students to become familiar with WebCT, to learn the fundamentals about working in groups, and to address any questions or concerns.

Consistent participation and preparation are important to the success of group tutoring. Each group members is expected to participate and needs to review the study guides and share his or her findings during the chat session.  Attending the same chat session each week helps form a productive and cohesive group.

Group members may also communicate via email. This may be an ideal way to explore content further or to clarify difficult concepts at times other than scheduled "chats." Remember that email is not "realtime," so you may have to wait for a response to your queries.

Joining The Group

Students enrolled in the nursing program are eligible to participate in online group tutoring. Presently, there is no fee for enrollment and students may use the computers in the Nursing Study Lab if a home computer is not available. Computer access will be limited to established study lab operating hours. Students who wish to use their own personal computer must have access to the Internet.  More detailed information regarding WebCT will be provided during the orientation session.

Patricia Richter Sipe, RN, MEd
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Office: ST-140
Office Hours: TBA
Phone: 410-772-4985
email: psipe@howardcc.edu