Other Services

Kurzweil 3000
Kurzweil 3000 is an innovative software program designed to help reading and writing. After a book has been scanned into the computer, it will read the lessons to you. You can increase your reading speed and comprehension by using the repeated reading strategy.

Passkey
Passkey is an easy-to-use, self-paced learning system designed to help a wide range of students gain proficiency in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies.

Smarthinking.com
24/7 online tutoring program that offers services such as submitting rough drafts of writing assignments for assessment and participating in an actual online tutoring session with a “live” tutor.

Hippocampus.org
Hipposcampus is a free public website for high school and college students that offer multimedia lessons correlated to most major textbooks. The website can be customized to make it better suited to meet the needs of an individual instructor or a group of students. Subjects include: Math, Biology, History, Physics, Environmental Sciences and others.

Mavis Beacon
All Learning Center computers have a software program for teaching touch typing. The program includes a number of speed tests and constantly tracks the user’s words-per-minute typing speed. It also includes a number of typing games. A certificate of achievement can be printed by the user upon the completion of tests (regardless of level of proficiency).

Thinkfinity.org
Thinkfinity.org makes it easy for educators to enhance their classroom instruction with lesson plans, interactive activities, and other online resources. Thinkfinity.org also provides a wealth of educational and literacy resources for students, parents, and after-school programs.

KeyTrain
Curriculum for raising applied workplace skills as measured by WorkKeys and other standardized tests.

COMPUTER AND PRINTER AVAILABILITY: Twelve computers and one printer are available in the Learning Center for tutors and WVU Parkersburg students. Due to limited availability, students working on classroom assignments have priority for computer usage. Students checking personal e-mail accounts, playing computer games, or searching the internet for items unrelated to WVU Parkersburg courses may be asked to relinquish their seat to allow a student to complete a classroom assignment.

One laser printer is available for printing from all Learning Center computers. Printing is limited to classroom or related materials only. Students are not permitted to print personal materials, class schedules, or lengthy articles or presentations.

COPIES: A copy machine is available in the Learning Center. Copies for students are 5¢ per copy. Personal copies and the amount paid must be recorded on the Learning Center Student Copies sheet located on the clipboard next to the copy machine.

LOCKERS: Lockers are available in the hallway outside the Learning Center. These lockers are assigned to all tutors and security personnel. Students may also be assigned a locker on a first come, first served basis. Tutors and students are given the combination to the locker at the time the locker is reserved. Tutors and students are responsible for all contents of their locker, including the removal of all items at the end of each semester. For security purposes, all locker combinations are changed prior to the beginning of each semester.

VIDEO LIBRARY AND ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES: The Learning Center has a number of videotapes, compact discs, textbooks, and educational handouts which can be used to complement tutoring sessions and/or provide additional help to WVU Parkersburg students.

The Learning Center Director maintains an inventory of all videotapes and compact discs. Topics addressed in the videotapes and CDs include:

Grammar and English

Research Skills

Writing Skills

English as a Second Language

Dictionary Use

Basic Mathematics Skills

Elementary and Intermediate Algebra

Statistics

Basic Concepts in Geometry

Basic Concepts in Trigonometry

Basic Concepts in Consumer Math

Math Anxiety

E-mail etiquette

Tutors Guide

Vector Mechanics for Engineers

Study Skills

Time Management

Grade Improvement

Taking Notes

Taking Tests

Test Anxiety

Stress Management

Videotapes and textbooks may be checked out by students and tutors. Students who wish to borrow a videotape or resource textbook (not currently used for tutoring purposes) must sign their name and provide their phone number on the sign-out log. The material which the student borrowed and the date checked out are filled in by Learning Center staff. When the student returns the item, the date returned is marked by their name in the sign-out log. Students who fail to return borrowed items are contacted by phone and/or letter. During this contact, the student is asked to return the item and the potential consequences of failure to return the item are reviewed with the student. Potential consequences include being placed on Hold status for grades and registration due to outstanding debts.