The Writing Studio at Georgia State:
Write/Chat: Your Computer, Your Text, and Your Tutor

Live Chat with an Online Tutor: Information and instructions

Are you working on a paper for class? Would you like to talk with someone about your ideas to get started? Would you like to get responses from a real reader on a rough draft of your personal statement or other writing project? In addition to our physical writing studio space in GCB 972, The Writing Studio now works with undergraduate and graduate student writers by e-mail. Experienced graduate students are available to teach writing in one-on-one environments, wherever you are in the writing process.

Our tutors are graduate student writers and writing instructors. We emphasize writing as an art--an art that students learn through conversation and practice within a community of writers and readers.

Tutors are teachers of writing, not proofreaders or editors. We do not correct errors, and we do not write for students. We teach students strategies for becoming their own critics and strategies to enhance communication through writing.

How to chat with an online tutor using Live Messenger:

• Begin by making an appointment for an online session by selecting "2009 Fall Online Tutoring" from the dropdown menu of our online appointment system.
• When you make your appointment, write down the Live Messenger user name and e-mail address of the tutor you choose to work with!
• Before beginning your session, have a computer file of your assignment or a description of your writing project on hand.
• If you want the tutor to review a file, it should be in either .doc or .rtf file format.
• You should have the latest version of Microsoft’s Live Messenger installed. If necessary, you may download by selecting one of the links below.
  Windows users download
  Mac users download
  
• To connect, start your Windows Live Messenger program or open the Windows Live Messenger screen.
• Use the e-mail address associated with your Panther e-mail as your login/user ID for Live Messenger.
• Log in by opening your Live Messenger window and sending a message to the tutor’s Live Messenger user ID.
  If they haven’t signed on, your message will go to their e-mail in-box; they'll get your message and respond back to you.
  If they have signed on, they’ll respond back to you and you can begin your session!
• Once you have connected with your tutor, send her or him a file containing either your assignment or a description of your writing project via the Messenger chat window menu: select "File: Send a File" and follow the directions. The tutor will begin the session by reviewing your assignment/description and talking with you about your writing project.
• Audio note: If your computer has a built-in microphone, or if you have a headset that has both an earphone and microphone combined, you will be able to talk live with your tutor (Windows PC installs only; Mac users use chat only feature) if both you and your tutor agree to do so. If you wish to have an online voice session with your tutor, follow the instructions she or he sends you.
• If you don’t have a microphone or headset, no problem! You’ll be able to chat with your tutor in real time using the Live Messenger chat window, plus the chat window has an option so that you can send and receive files to and from your tutor.
• Tech tip: Please sign in for your session a few minutes early in order to resolve any technical issues that might arise.

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