Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Tutoring sessions are typically one-on-one. If multiple students require help on the same subject or question, tutors may allow the option to work alongside a group of students. During busy hours, however, tutors all follow a “one hour” rule where students/groups must be limited to one hour sessions to accomodate students whom are waiting. Students requiring more help after the hour may come back at a later time when it is no longer busy.

No, not at this time. Tutors use the audio and chat communications only. Zoom meetings are also defaulted to not enable video.

Yes, absolutely! The Zoom program used for Math and Science is downloadable for both Windows and Macs, as well as in mobile devices for Android and IOS phones. Please see the Math & Science Tutoring page for more information.

Yes, Zoom has an iOS App and a Google Play App. It retains many of the features you would have in a computer:

• Annotation features, such as drawing, erasing or inserting shapes
• Ability to share photos for homework within the mobile device
• Audio capabilities and chat features

If possible, ensure that you are using Wi-Fi or have a stable 4G connection when in the Zoom rooms.

Although optional, it is recommended to utilize audio communication to greatly increase communication response time. You may use the audio either through your computer microphone/speaker or a headset.

By default, tutors will utilize audio communication and test the audio with you at the beginning of your session. If you prefer the tutor to utilize message chats instead, let the tutor know at the beginning of the session.

You will be greeted via chat by a tutor or tutors in the “main room” (prompted via a Zoom meeting in a new tab. The first available tutor will move you to a “private tutoring room” using another Zoom meeting (prompted with the Zoom app) to begin the one-on-one tutoring.

The tutor will then test audio, collect a small amount of personal information for OLA’s records, and then get you started with the tutoring. If it’s your first time, the tutor will explain the tools and have you try things out. Ask lots of questions!

We collect your name, school, teacher, grade and class information for the OLA database records to help monitor usage, verify that you’re a Hawaiʻi student, and track program progress. All supplied information is confidential.

There is no time limit but if you’ve had a chance to work with your tutor for awhile and other students are waiting for a turn, the tutor is required to start helping a new student. You won’t have to log off, as you can continue working in your “room” and use the “raise hand” feature when you need help again, but you will have to wait for the next available tutor. The tutors work hard to ensure that all students get served.

Our tutors are trained to guide you, and they are expected to do this through questioning to assess your understanding. They will not simply provide answers, but will help you work through your areas of need. Please ask the tutors any questions that you have!

Please see our tutoring calendars for our current schedule. If you would like to conduct planned tutoring sessions, please email ola@hawaii.edu for more information.

You may schedule one appointment (30 minutes or one hour) per day.

We will give you our undivided attention when you come to see us. All of our sessions are run on a one-on-one basis and we run the session at your desired pace.

Yes, absolutely! Although we can never predict any technical difficulties that may occur, our tutoring does work on both PC and Mac. However, not all tablets may work well with our site. If you use a tablet to join your tutoring session, it is possible that not all features will be available, but we will always do our best to accommodate everyone.

Yes, all appointments are one hour long. You do not, however, have to stay with the tutor for the full hour. By having a full hour to look over your paper, we will be able to take the time to really focus in on the things you wish to work on or need help with most. This may take ten minutes or the full hour. Our goal is to help you as much as you need; we do not want to feel pressed for time.

Currently, you can schedule an appointment up to two weeks in advance. We also accept same-day appointments, as long as they are created prior to the appointment time. So, if you want to schedule your appointment at 5:00 pm, create your appointment at least by 4:59 pm.

There are two ways to change your appointment time. You can click into the appointment you originally scheduled and choose a new start and end time and click “Save Changes.” This will only work if the new time is available to be scheduled. The second option you have is to cancel your original appointment and create a new appointment at the desired time and/or with your desired tutor.

If you wish to cancel an appointment, click into to the appointment you originally created and scroll to the bottom. You will find a link labeled “cancel this appointment” in red.

Not only do we want to know who we are working with, but we also want to be able to maximize our time together. To allow us to do so, we like to know a few things about you, your class, and your essay.

We are trained to guide you. To do so, we like to work with you to discover your learning style. We do this through questioning to assess your understanding. Please ask the tutors any questions that you have!

Sorry, but no. We are not an editing service. However, we are here to help you, so any comments we make on your paper will facilitate your learning outside of the classroom. For example, if you want help on your thesis, we will try to understand what your argument is and provide suggestions to make your thesis stronger and clearer. We may also direct you to outside writing resources. This way, the comments we provide will help you throughout your educational career.

All of the writing tutors are UH Mānoa undergraduate or graduate students with a range of writing and tutoring experiences. That, combined with our general love of writing, means that we are dedicated to helping you in any way that we can. If you want more information on any specific tutor, feel free to check out the tutor bios on our  Tutors page!

Please see our tutoring calendars for our current schedule.