Supported by the university, the Academic Resource Center (ARC) provides peer tutoring in most subjects and courses offered by the various departments across the university. The ARC works in close quarters with Undergraduate Academic Affairs (UGAA) and the Office of Student Affairs to augment students' learning process.
The ARC also offers supplemental instruction (SI) to various courses (particularly 100 and 200 level) across the university to enable constant support with the subject matter in courses where it is needed the most. This positively impacts student success and outcome.
All ARC Services are free to use for current Illinois Tech students.
Peer Tutoring
Peer tutoring is a free drop-in service, open to all registered students. Our tutors are top-performing undergraduate and graduate students who help students gain a sound understanding of course concepts and materials. They are chosen on basis of their area of expertise. Tutors are available either on a drop-in basis or in group consultation.
Supplemental Instruction
The supplemental instruction (SI) program provides peer-facilitated study sessions for traditionally difficult courses. These sessions are led by a qualified ARC scholar who has previously taken and exceeded in a given course. The scholars also attend all lectures with students. For more information about the ARC SI program, visit its webpage.
Group Study
ARC promotes subject-related group study. Tables are assigned for related subjects promoting discussion study. This helps students to recall and organize their study patterns. The expo space in Hermann Hall is often available for students to study independently or in groups. Rolling white-boards are on hand for students to check out at the monitor's desk in Paul V. Galvin Library Room 007.
Academic Coaching
The ARC works closely with the Office of Student Affairs and the Empowerment, Leadership, and Mentorship program leaders to provide academic coaching (GLS 182). Students who take GLS courses, on average, improve their academic performance by one letter grade going forward. Regardless of a student's starting grade-point average, a significant number of post-GLS students obtain a GPA in the high 3s or 4.0. GLS students are supported by ELM-trained undergraduate peer-mentors and graduate TA academic coaches, in addition to the significant support services available in peer-tutoring for academic subjects provided via the ARC.
Exam Reviews
Exam reviews help students with successful strategies for review on their answers, guided by a tutor. Students test themselves both to practice for the exam and to diagnose areas of weakness. To help students visualize quality responses on free response questions, students practice exam-related problem samples. To submit an exam review request, please fill out this form.
Workshops and Seminars
We also conduct the following that help students plan their study schedules:
- Subject-related workshops during the semester
- The Educational Strategies Workshop at the beginning of the semester.
Electronics
The ARC hosts a state-of-the-art computer lab with computers, a scanner, and laser printers. Students may work with tutors to learn about discipline-specific software or for assistance in core computer science courses. Other electronics available for students to use at the ARC include tablets (iPad, Surface, Android), tablet computers, and laptop computers.
ARC Survey
The ARC conducts two kinds of surveys. First, any time you electronically sign out of using the ARC’s services, you will see an option to answer a couple of questions and to add comments. Additionally, the ARC email survey is shared with students around mid-semester and at the end of semester. These survey help the ARC improve its services and create better support for you.