As a currently enrolled UW–Madison student, you can meet with a Writing Center instructor through WCOnline’s Virtual Meeting platform for real-time, synchronous sessions. These sessions are very much like face-to-face appointments in our main center or at one of our satellite locations: they are collaborative conversations in which both you and the tutor ask questions, share information, and think through solutions. If you want to learn more, check out this video.
In conjunction with our appointment policies, you can use up to 10 hours of instructional time each semester. You may allocate these hours over the course of the semester in any way you choose, including Written Feedback, Virtual Meetings, Drop-In Hours, and/or Flexible Feedback. Whatever method you choose, we ask that you make no more than one appointment per week.
How to sign up for an appointment
The Writing Center’s instructional services are now rolled into one platform–WCOnline! This is the same platform that you use for scheduling your appointments.
When making an appointment, look carefully beneath the instructors’ names. There you’ll find the type of instruction that the instructor is offering, whether “Virtual Meeting” or “Written Feedback.” If it says “Written Feedback & Virtual Meeting,” you will be able to choose between the two types of instruction for your appointment.
How to attend your Virtual Meeting
Log back into WCOnline approximately five to ten minutes before the start of your appointment. Then, open this appointment and click “Start or Join Virtual Meeting.”
In the Virtual Meeting, you should be able to see your instructor in a small window at the left of the screen. If you select your camera, your instructor should also be able to see you as well. If you prefer, you can meet with your instructor by audio only (without video) after joining the appointment. Please make sure that your microphone is activated for the appointment. At the right of your screen, you’ll find a chat bar where you can instant-message your instructor. This can be a good way to communicate with your instructor if case of technical difficulties.
The whiteboard is the centerpiece of the Virtual Meeting. There, you will upload your draft, and you’ll be able to discuss it in live time. You and your instructor can make comments within your draft. Your feedback will remain present in WCOnline after your appointment, so you can always log back in to see it while you are revising your draft.
If you encounter any technical issues, your instructor will call you at the number you have provided in WCOnline.
*Please note that all Virtual Meeting sessions are scheduled for 45 minutes, which includes a five-minute break for instructors between appointments. A typical Virtual Meeting appointment may last between 30 to 40 minutes.