Asynchronous Online Tutoring with an ACC English Professor
Becky Villarreal
Associate Adjunct Professor of English
Online Writing Tutor
Learning Labs • Upswing • Librarian Chat • Grammar• MLA & Other Formats • Central Idea & Elements •Academic Coach • Transfer Services• Help (512-223-4636)
Hello!
As an ACC student, you have several options for receiving free online help for writing-intensive courses.
First of all, your best option for tutoring is to visit our ACC Learning Lab Tutors on all major campuses for help with most of the academic courses you are taking at the college.
For interactive virtual help, click here to connect with Upswing, the tutoring platform that provides synchronous (real time) assistance with your ACC courses using audio-visual technology. With Upswing, you can schedule an appointment with an ACC tutor in person or online. Click here for step-by-step instructions for logging in and requesting an appointment:
If you have any questions or are having trouble using Upswing, reach out to Deeadra Albert-Green at deeadra.albert-green@austincc.edu.
For formatting, documentation, and research issues, librarians are available online 24/7 and it's free for all ACC students. Librarians can help writing students with format/documentation (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.) and scholarly research. Click here to connect with one now.
For those of you who prefer asynchronous help (via email) with a writing assignment, please contact me at bvillarr@austincc.edu; attach your paper as a DOC, not a PDF, link, or Pages file (if it's a Google DOC, make sure it is shareable); include the course title, your professor's name, detailed instructions and pertinent documents; and then email everything (using your ACC email address) to me at bvillarr@austincc.edu.
In the textbox of your message, describe in a few words the issues to be addressed (content? organization? mechanics? format? documentation?). If I cannot help you in a timely manner or if I feel that you need more guidance, I will suggest that you work with the Learning Labs, Upswing, or a librarian. Please do not send me an empty email with just an attached essay.
Within a few hours, I will respond to confirm that your documents have been received and give you an approximate time to expect detailed feedback (most essays and queries will be addressed in less than 24 hours, unless there is a backlog).
If your instructor has asked you to revise a paper that has already been graded, in addition to the required documents above, please attach the graded or marked-up essay and/or the professor's commentary. Before contacting me, however, you must do your very best to make the corrections on your own and attach that as well.
If you email me an essay or assignment and you have not put in your best effort, I will request that you spend more time on the paper, proofread, make revisions, and then resend when your essay is ready for tutor feedback. My ultimate goal is to help you learn to write and revise papers without assistance.
When I tutor, I do not use Zoom, telephones, Google Meet, whiteboards, or audio-visual software. This methodology works best with students who have completed the assignment and need a writing tutor to make sure the structure and mechanics are sound. Please go to the Learning Lab or try Upswing if you need interactive, audio-visual assistance.
In addition, I assist students with admissions and scholarship essays and resumes and cover letters; however, students seeking help with ACC assignments will always be given priority. The best time of the year to receive help with admissions and scholarship essays, as well as resumes and cover letters, is early or late into the semester and during intersession.
Below is my availability to assist ACC students with their writing assignments:
Summer 2024 Online Tutoring Hours
Monday: 7-11 a.m.
Tuesday & Wednesday: 1-5 p.m.
Thursday: 3-7 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 - 11:30 a.m.