{"id":5970,"date":"2021-04-19T13:23:54","date_gmt":"2021-04-19T20:23:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/the-roar.net\/?p=5970"},"modified":"2026-03-20T15:08:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T22:08:08","slug":"how-the-learning-resource-center-boosts-student-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/the-roar.net\/?p=5970","title":{"rendered":"How the Learning Resource Center Boosts Student Success"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At San Jos\u00e9 City College, we\u2019re committed to providing students with the support they need to achieve their goals and unleash their brilliance. Assistance from the Learning Resource Center (LRC)<\/a> plays a huge role in this effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you haven\u2019t heard of it or you\u2019ve been putting off checking it out, the wait is over. Today, we\u2019re doing a deep dive into the LRC and all its incredible offerings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe LRC staff work collaboratively to provide both academic and technical support for students campus wide, at all levels.\u201d<\/p>Learning Resource Center Staff<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n

\n
\"Learning
Learning Resource Center Staff. Left to Right: Chunhua Wang (Instructional Support Assistant), Michelle Zhen (former Student Assistant), Leslie Takei (ESL Instructor), and Debra Travis (former Senior Administrative Assistant).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What is the Learning Resource Center (LRC)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The LRC is located on the first floor of the library and Learning Resource Center Building at SJCC\u2019s main campus on Moorpark Avenue. It\u2019s an educational hub where students can access individual assistance, group workshops, study materials, tech resources, and a supportive learning space.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone currently enrolled at San Jos\u00e9 City College can take advantage of the LRC’s perks at no cost. Yes, that means free<\/em>. And it\u2019s all made possible by LRC\u2019s kind and dedicated team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe LRC staff work collaboratively to provide both academic and technical support for students campus-wide, at all levels.\u201d The LRC staff said in a collective interview. They also \u201cprovide students with referrals regarding additional campus services that support and enhance their learning opportunities.\u201d No matter what you need, the LRC staff are there to help you out \u2014 or point you in the right direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And before the temporary closure of the physical location due to COVID-19, it was also an essential meeting point where students could socialize, collaborate, and receive much-needed peer support. Its designated Learning Community space was often occupied by student groups like Umoja<\/a> and the Puente Project<\/a>. It was also open to any other groups looking for a place to connect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once SJCC\u2019s campus fully reopens, it\u2019s sure to return to its previous glory as a vibrant student space. But in the meantime, it\u2019s online community continues to thrive. (More on that later.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe LRC offers a unique and individualized learning experience and helps students overcome educational barriers.\u201d<\/p>LRC Staff<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Navigating the LRC\u2019s Many Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a lot going on at SJCC\u2019s Learning Resource Center, in the best way possible. It\u2019s conveniently organized into three different centers, which you can explore depending on your specific needs. Here\u2019s what you can expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tutoring Center<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is the place to be if you\u2019re feeling stuck in virtually any<\/em> class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Tutoring Center offers assistance in a wide variety of subject areas including, but not limited to: Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Accounting, Foreign Languages, History, Media Arts and more.\u201d Said Tutoring Center Coordinator, Peiman Gheibi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the best things about the Tutoring Center is its flexibility. Students can choose from drop-in or scheduled tutoring in a 1-1- or group setting. They can find tutoring support tailored to their personal needs. But no matter the circumstances, they’ll always be met by friendly, highly qualified tutors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Reading & Writing Center (RWC)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you’re first starting out on your higher education journey, writing college-level papers can be intimidating. That’s where the RWC comes in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The RWC \u201cwill help you with reading and writing assignments in any discipline but with a focus on English courses.\u201d The LRC website<\/a> says. \u201cThe Center will help you with documentation (MLA and APA), proofreading, job and university applications, personal essays and statements, and preparation for the Writing Skills Test (WST).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both the Tutoring Center and the Reading & Writing Center are certified by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA)<\/a>. You\u2019ll either be helped by a certified Peer Tutor or faculty, so you know you\u2019ll be in good hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ESL Lab<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The ESL Lab caters specifically to English language learners. And anyone who is enrolled in a course at SJCC can sign up for a free 0-unit lab section (ESL 508) and\/or take advantage of the ESL Lab’s many resources. It gets the title of \u201clab\u201d because it\u2019s home to 34 computers equipped with headsets. Students can borrow or use a wide range of study materials, such as grammar software, dictionaries, texts, and other resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also provides individual tutoring sessions with lab instructors and peer tutors. Another popular offering are the faculty-led workshops that cover topics like vocabulary, grammar, writing, reading to pronunciation or conversation skills, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe ESL Lab in the LRC is a welcoming presence where students can get personalized and group language assistance to succeed in their SJCC courses,\u201d the former ESL Lab Coordinator, Leslie Takei, said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The ESL Lab provides essential and meaningful academic support to English learners, especially because our students come from such varied backgrounds.” Current ESL Lab Coordinator, Patricia do Carmo, said, \u201cWhen we assist our students, we help them grow in a variety of areas and not only become more effective and successful language learners and college students, but also more confident participants and contributors to our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out this ESL Lab video<\/a> for further details on its services for Spring 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lots of Computers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe LRC is one of the largest and most accessible computer labs on campus. It offers students more than 100 open-access workstations, three computer labs, and is ADA compliant.\u201d LRC staff said. \u201cAll workstations are Internet-connected and feature Microsoft Office applications.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you don\u2019t need extra tutoring or study materials, the LRC may still become your most visited place on campus. Some workstations even run specialized software, like Adobe Creative Cloud and all computers are connected to a printing system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a Bay Area community college, SJCC knows the importance of providing wide-reaching access to this sort of essential technology. Which brings us to our next point \u2014 the LRC online!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The LRC\u2019s Digital Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of circumstances, the LRC staff is wholly committed to student success. So when COVID-19 forced temporary campus closures, they didn\u2019t miss a beat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For personalized tutoring, it built on its existing online infrastructure, using platforms like Canvas<\/a>, Zoom, and Google Suite. Now, it continues to offer free 1-1 tutoring via Zoom and even uses NetTutor to provide additional 24\/7 tutoring support. The ESL lab also had a smooth transition and started relying more heavily on its website<\/a> for organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the video below to learn about navigating online tutoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n