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What People Are Saying About SMARTHINKING

Online tutoring service helping students succeed

By Sherry F. Pruitt
Jonesboro Sun - 10/17/05

"SmartThinking" is a smart idea that puts tutors at the fingertips of Arkansas State University students who need help in a number of subjects.

"SmartThinking is an additional academic resource utilizing an online environment," said Harland Moore, learning resource specialist at the Wilson Advising Center.

Students can use the system under the direction of the center in one of four main ways, said Moore, a graduate assistant in exercise science.

First, though, they must demonstrate that they have attended class, taken notes and used the office hours of their professors or instructors, he said. "The program is expensive for the university," he said.

Jill Simons, director of advisement services, said that the cost of the program to ASU is about $20,000 per year.

Moore indicated that mathematics is the most popular subject that students say they need assistance with, and for that reason, help with math-related courses is offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Arkansas State offers developmental, intermediate, college algebra, physics, calculus and mathematics with Spanish-speaking tutors.

Other courses, which students can receive online help with, include chemistry, economics, statistics, biology, accounting and writing. Tutoring for those classes is offered from 2 p.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

"In addition to instructors and office hours, it's a way to try and help people get it," he said.

Students can be assisted during regular tutoring hours with a program that uses an instant message system. When they have a question, they will get a response back, Moore explained. If students need more attention, they can schedule an appointment for an hour or a half-hour-long session.

If the are not in a hurry for help, they can submit a question or a problem to a tutor and expect a response within 24 hours, he said.

Finally, for English assistance, students submit a piece of writing, and the tutor will check it for content analysis or grammar.

"The instructors help you figure it out and help you learn how to do the problem," the learning resource specialist said.

The SmartThinking tutors or "e-instructors" are located around the world, and 80 percent hold at least a master's degree, Moore emphasized.

"It's a different way to learn," he said, adding that the program is a good fit for non-traditional and commuter students. "It's very user friendly."

Arkansas State started participating in the program in mid-September. ASU, along with 18 other new sites, signed up for the program beginning with the fall term.

"The program is growing as the word spreads," Moore said.

To sign up for tutoring, students must see Moore, and so far 50 ASU students have registered for the program.

"If they use it, it helps," he said. "The feedback has been good as far as students using it. It's an additional resource."

sherry@jonesboro.com

(Copyright © 2005 Jonesboro Sun)