For asynchronous online tutoring, students can send papers to the Online Writing Lab (WPOWL@missouristate.edu) and get feedback in their email in-boxes within 24 hours.
For synchronous online tutoring, student can make an appointment (WPOWL@missouristate.edu or 417-255-7980) for a zoom session.

Here is a brief tutorial about using Online Tutoring at the Writing Lab. Students can also use the Tutor Talk feature to chat online in real time with a tutor.

Advantages of Online Tutoring using the OWL

• Students can send papers any time of the day and from anywhere.
• It is a relatively anonymous setting without the distractions of the physical presence of a tutor or other students.
• Tutors have more time to think over their response.
• Students can print the tutor’s remarks and study them as often as needed.
• Students can learn from the tutor’s remarks in a setting of their choice.
• Students get experience reading comments about their writing in writing.

Disadvantages of Online Tutoring using the OWL

• The immediacy of face-to-face tutoring is gone.
• Tutors may not have the ability to give effective feedback if students don’t clearly explain the assignment and what kind of feedback they’d like from the tutor.
• Students might have problems applying the tutor’s suggestions when they revise.
• Some errors might be difficult for tutors and students to handle in an online session.
• On the whole, online tutoring is better for global issues, such as essay structure and essay development, while one-to-one tutoring might still be better for teaching grammar.

Advantages of using Tutor Talk

• Students can ask questions virtually
• Students do not have to be on campus to contact a tutor
• Tutor Talk allows for real time interactions between students and tutors
• Students can upload their whole paper and discuss it with the tutor

Disadvantages of using Tutor Talk

• Tutor Talk is by appointment and only available when the Writing Center is open
• Students must have good internet access to contact tutors
• Tutors may not have a long time to think about their replies