Math Drop-In Center

For the Spring 2021 semester, we are open virtually as the Math Help Drop-In Channel on Microsoft Teams. To get free, friendly online help with any math from any course, go here anytime, fill out the sign-in form, and ask your questions: bit.ly/MCLA_math . For live response, tutors are online 5-9pm Sunday through Thursday.

About

After a successful first three years, MCLA is continuing to run the Mathematics Help Drop-In Center, a place for students with any questions related to mathematics. Due to COVID-19, we are protecting the health and safety of our tutors by temporarily operating as an online-only Microsoft Teams Channel.

Among our tutors, we have the ability to assist with the mathematics portions of problems from any course in any department on campus, as well as the ability to help students studying for the mathematics portions of exams like the MTEL, GRE, and TEAS. The Center is free for the MCLA community to use, and all Portal users are welcome to drop in—no appointment necessary!

How can I get the most out of my visit?

When you first arrive in the Channel, file the sign-in form that will tell us: (1) what course you're here for, and (2) who your professor is. A record of how many students we serve, what the busiest times are, and in what course students are seeking help assists us in planning.
To get matched with a tutor, you must leave a message in the "Conversations" sub-Channel. If you don't leave a short message to introduce yourself and briefly describe your math issues, then tutors will not know you're there!
Leave your anonymous comments after your tutoring session by following the form link that will be sent to you via e-mail, and that is available on the "General" Teams sub-Channel.
Have your syllabus, textbook, class notes, homework and computer/calculator available if appropriate.
Have specific questions. It's not very helpful to tell the tutor you're confused about everything. It's much more helpful to have picked out particular homework problems you are stuck on or particular topics or examples you want explained.
Seek out other students in the Channel who are in the same course as you. A lot can be accomplished by breaking out into small group chats/calls, and it makes good use of the time you're waiting for the tutor.
Even though the tutors are very good mathematics students, they are still students, and so there may be occasional questions they can't answer. Don't let this bother you; just return when a more experienced student or professor is in the Channel, or "@" them in the Tutoring Channel chat.
Don't ask tutors to help you with a take-home test. They are not allowed to do so.
The tutors have their own studies, so please don't bother them with questions when they are not working. We all need our spare time.

Tips in this section were adapted from Hofstra University's page.

Where can I get general help with math and coding outside of the drop-in center's hours?

Tutors

Cady Churns $Cady Churns Headshot$

Cady Churns is a physics major with a minor in mathematics from Nantucket, MA. She has taken Calculus 1-3, Proof 1, Mathematical Physics, Intro to Mechanics, Intro to E&M, and Intro to Waves, Optics and Relativity, and is currently enrolled in ODE and Intro to statistics.

Cady works Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 7-9pm.

$Kelli Garrant Headshot$ Kelli Garrant

Kelli Garrant (2021) is a senior math major with a computer science minor. She has taken every math course offered this semester, and has experience with computer programming.

Kelli works Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Robert Leonard $Robert Leonard Headshot$

Robert Leonard (2023) is a physics major from Watertown, MA. He has taken Intro to Mechanics, Intro to WOR, Intro to E&M, Intro to Statistics and Calculus 1-3. He can also help with Programming in Java 1-2 and C++. Robert is currently taking Modern Physics, Differential Equations, and Object Oriented Design. His hobbies include flute playing and exercise. He is also the treasurer for the Society of Physics Students.

Robert works Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 7-9pm.

$Holly Swanson Headshot$ Holly Swanson

Holly Swanson is a computer science major and IT, math, and business administration minor from Poquoson, VA. She has taken Intro to Statistics, Calculus I-II, Intro. to Mechanics, and Physics for Superheroes.

Holly works Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 5-7pm.

Encourage Your Students to Visit

Include This Blurb in your Syllabus

The Math Help Drop-In Center is now open virtually as the Math Help Drop-In Channel on Microsoft Teams! To get online help with any math question from any course, please follow this link: bit.ly/MCLA_math . Fill in the sign-in sheet and post your introductory message in the "Conversations" channel. From 5-9pm Sunday through Thursday, there will be student Tutors live on the Channel, ready to offer free, friendly and supportive help with math.

Use Pre-Tests in your Class

Ungraded pre-tests can often help students decide early whether they will need help with the mathematics that an upcoming course topic entails, and such evaluations can often be given in five minutes, or as take-home assignments. For templates on particular topics, please e-mail Erin Kiley at emkiley@mcla.edu .