The Learning Center

AREAS of The Learning Center & Hale Kea Advancement & Testing Center

Front Desk, Hale Kea

Reading, Writing, Math, ESL, Learning Skills/Content Area, Tutor Support

The Learning Center

The Learning Center (TLC) is part of the Academic Support Unit of Hawaii Community College (HawCC).  The Learning Center is a continuously improving, team-centered organization dedicated to supporting the faculty and students of both HawCC and the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UHH).  TLC operates two sites: The Learning Center and The Hale Kea Advancement and Testing Center. The Learning Center is located on the shared UHH Campus below the Library.

Carolyn Kenmore claims, “If you can learn from hard knocks, you can also learn from soft touches.” Some of TLC’s “soft touches” are its welcoming and comfortable environment, friendly staff, and competent tutors. The Learning Center seeks to introduce students to the joys and rewards of learning, by reaffirming the ideals upon which learning is nurtured.

Hale Kea Advancement and Testing Center

The Hale Kea Advancement and Testing Center (HKATC) provides a variety of services for the Manono Campus, the College, and the Community. The Center provides an open computer lab and study area for students at the Manono Campus. An electronic classroom is also available for a variety of instructional needs. The Center also provides a testing service which accommodates make-up testing, HawCC placement testing, ACT, PearsonVue, and Distance Education testing. The Hale Kea Advancement and Testing Center is located on the Manono Campus in Bldg 387.

Hale Kea Staff: Nancy (Center Manager), Leanne (Assist. Manager), Shy, Jennie

TLC is a Pleasant Place for Students as Well as Faculty to Come and Work.

Albert Einstein once said, “I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.” In this same capacity, The Learning Center is a valuable supplement to Instructors.  The faculty is able to use The Learning Center’s resources as an extension of their own classrooms. One way they are able to do this is by working closely with the tutors, providing them with instructions and directions so that they are better prepared to serve their students.  The Main Center’s facilities host a multimedia classroom, which is available to faculty for various instructional activities.

Students come to the Center to use many resources.  They come in as part of their class requirements, to use the computers, to do research on the Internet as well as to use email.  Students also come in for tutoring.  The main focus of the Center’s tutor training is to provide tutors with effective learning skills tailored toward student success. Tutoring is viewed as supplemental, not as a substitute for classroom participation, and is available with these goals as the primary focus:

	To Promote Independence in Learning
	To Assist Students in Feeling More Confident
	To Personalize Instruction
	To Provide Insights into Learning
	To Guide Students in Realizing Their Academic Goals

The Learning Center is home to the Reading Lab, Writing Lab, Math Lab, English as a Second Language Lab and the Learning Skills/Content area.  TLC also provides make-up testing services, space for independent study, and an open computer lab.

Front Desk

This is where you find the most informative people in the Center. This is "information central." If you are here for the first time, ask the friendly office staff to help you find what you need. Are you here to take a test? Looking for the Writing, Reading, ESL, or Math Desk? Need a content tutor? Do you need help with the computers? Or, just trying to find out where to get a cup of coffee on campus. When you come in to the Center, these friendly people will ask you to check in. They will ask you for your ID card and the purpose of your visit. This information is entered into our data base so we can better serve you.

Meet our Office Assistants: Amy, Shaun,

READING LAB

The Reading Lab is located in The Learning Center on the shared university campus. The Lab is set up as an extension of the reading classroom for students enrolled in any of the HawCC reading classes: ESL 009, ENG 20R, 021 and 102.  The Coordinator of the Reading Lab, Gwen Kimura, and her staff of tutors assist students and help them access their class assignments.  Ms. Kimura employs the innovative program known as the Alternative Instructional Management System (AIMS) in the Reading Lab.  AIMS is required for students enrolled in reading classes below 100 level and is a major component of Reading Lab activities. Higher level courses such as English 102, besides utilizing AIMS, also use the lab in conjunction with computer-based programs: Speed-Reading, Analogies, and Reading & Reasoning.

Meet our Reading Tutors: Anjala, Kalyan, Merle, Nicole, Chelse, Shea,

WRITING LAB

The Learning Center provides a safe place to write.  It is a haven for both "writers block" sufferers and for those just needing a quiet place to concentrate. Whether a student is faced with not knowing how to begin a research paper or is "stuck" searching for that "just right" word, we at TLC can help! Our business is not to write a paper, but to coach and encourage.  Those facing any kind of writing challenge will be accommodated, no one is turned away. Writing Lab Coordinator, Caroline Naguwa, and her team of dedicated writing tutors can guide you in the right direction.  Tutors are available mornings, afternoons, and evenings. Specific times most convenient to the student can be scheduled.

To assist our tutors, faculty can provide course information and student referral information to help students. Just fill out these forms and send them to the Writing Area Coordinator via The Learning Center.

Writing resources:

1. Guide to fixing sentences - by TLC Tutor Andrew Lonero

Meet our Writing Tutors: Kalyan, Emma, Alicia

MATH LAB

Math Lab Coordinator, James Schumaker, and the Math Lab tutors are on hand for students enrolled in math courses.  Scientific calculators are available for student's use, as well as computers and software (e.g. Skils Bank) with tutoring assistance.  Reference books, videos, and other materials are available.

Meet our Math Tutors: Jonathan, John, Maulik,

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE LAB

The English as a Second Language (ESL) Coordinator, Donna Moore, and ESL tutors would like to welcome students to the Learning Center. Tutor schedules will be posted in The Learning Center at the opening of the fall semester.  Tutors are experienced and work well with the students.  The ESL Lab is a convenient place to study.  We have a variety of computer software to help you with your writing assignments and prescription materials that supplement the ESL courses.  Tutors can work with you on review materials as well as new grammar points.

Meet our ESL Tutors: Anjala, Kalyan, Merle, Shea, Alicia

LEARNING SKILLS/CONTENT AREA

Tutoring (see policy and tips) and Learning Skills development, as well as Content Tutoring are accessible to all credited students of Hawaii Community College and the University of Hawaii at Hilo. TLC has many resources that are on site for students to use.

The Learning Center exists to assist students in their pursuit of knowledge. To this end, we freely provide various services, including tutoring.

You've probably heard those catchy phrases, "Where there's a will, there's an A," or "Learn more in less time," or "How to succeed in college and still have time for your friends," and wished they could be true for you.  We now have a Study Behavior Inventory Program and the Multi-media Study Skills CD to analyze your study habits and give you suggestions. An outstanding Learning Center Skills team is ready to assist you in becoming more successful in school.  Topics such as Time Management, Test Taking Strategies, Note taking Skills, and Mapping are just a few of the many study skills the LSK tutors teach students who want to earn good grades. Click on the Learning Skills link above for study strategy tips.

Content Tutors can be found in our Subject Index. Just come in to the Center and inquire about the current list of tutors. Tutors are primarily assigned to specific areas but also have experience in content areas including accounting, astronomy, biology, chemistry, economics, geology, Hawaiian, history, language, oceanography, philosophy, pharmacology, physics, psychology, and speech. Special arrangements for specific subject tutors can be made by the faculty and the Learning Center Coordinator.  Take advantage of these free services and become a successful student.  If there is a specific class that needs some special attention for you, contact The Learning Center for a list of tutors who can assist you in being better prepared for the semester! Often tutor assistance can help to improve confidence and study habits that can make the difference for good grades!

TLC Tutor Support Information

This section provides information from our tutor handbook and also the requirements for CRLA Tutor Certification.

Hawaii Community College
The Learning Center
200 W. Kawili St.
Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4091
Phone: (808)974-7503
Fax: (808)974-7785