Communications Lab available to help
Amanda Hardeman
News Writing Student
A good place to study for English classes or for any courses that require reading or written assignments is the Communication Lab, located between the Bookstore and College Union, in the Main Building.
The Communications Lab will help students improve academically while providing a good learning experience, said Li Wong, Communications Lab employee and accounting major.
The lab helps students with writing, computers, grammar, reading and ECHO submissions, said Tonya Kymes, Communications Lab supervisor.
Kymes said ECHO is an online tutoring service provided by employees of the Communications Lab.
Beau Lewis, graphic communications student and lab tutor said the lab can get really busy at times.
Lewis said there are usually five tutors working in the Communications Lab at any given time.
Saturdays are typically slower, so there are less tutors working, he said.
If a student’s schedule conflicts with the lab’s hours or the student simply cannot get to the lab, students can still have the same help by submitting their papers online through ECHO, Kymes said.
“Online tutoring has become very popular because of the increase in online classes,” she said.
Kymes said lab tutors work with writers to help them understand the correct concepts in composition and improve their skills in grammar, spelling and punctuation.
The Communications Lab also helps students learn to use computers to type their documents.
Any student can bring an assignment to the lab and ask the tutor for help in reviewing it.
Lewis said all lab employees try to help students learn what to look for so they can improve as writers.
“It’s not our job [to proofread],” he said. “We’re supposed to help students understand what mistakes they’re making.”
The lab does not pledge a certain letter grade on an assignment nor assume responsibility for how suggestions are applied.
According to OCCC’s website, “the Communications Lab will not guarantee that assignments done with lab assistance will meet the requirements of the professor.”
A student’s grades can benefit by making use of the lab, but the greatest improvement will come from diligent studying and learning from mistakes.
For more information on the Communications Lab, visit www.occc.edu/comlab or call 405-682-1611, ext. 7379.
