SS :: OISE Student Success Centre (OSSC)

OISE Student Success Centre (OSSC)

Formerly named the Academic and Cultural Support Centre (ACSC), the OISE Student Success Centre (OSSC) began as an academic writing centre at OISE, but has quickly developed into an integrated service provider for graduate students and teacher candidates studying at OISE. It has also been central in pulling together several programs to support internationally educated teacher candidates (IETCs) to succeed in their teacher education programs. The OSSC is a full-service academic and cultural communication resource and support centre. We are an instructional writing centre and offer all of our students an opportunity to learn about the writing process and improve their ability to edit their own writing. We do NOT edit or proofread assignments for students.

OSSC Advisors have a range of professional and academic experience. Graduate students and teacher candidates are encouraged to consult our OSSC Advisor Profiles as a guide when booking appointments for help in a specific area or with a specific type of writing.

Overview of Services | Appointments | Inquiries | Additional Resources

Schedule (.PDF) | Advisor Profiles

Overview of Services

1. One-to-one consultations

We offer face-to-face, email or phone appointments for help with:

♦ Academic Writing: planning, organizing, writing and revising academic papers such as essays, MRPs, theses, dissertations, manuscripts for publication, funding applications, lesson plans, portfolios, personal journal entries, etc.

♦ English Language Proficiency Improvement: grammar, oral communication, listening, reading, pronunciation, etc.

♦ French Language Proficiency Improvement: grammar, oral communication, listening, reading, pronunciation, etc.

♦ Mathematics Concept Development (NEW): providing Math support for B.Ed. teacher candidates.

♦ Oral Presentations: in-class presentations, conference presentations, lesson delivery, etc.

♦ Résumés and Cover Letters, and Interviewing Skills

♦ Insights into the Culture of K-12 Schools in Canada

♦ Strategies for Success in teacher preparation and graduate programs at OISE: time management, goal setting, dealing with culture shock, etc.

2. Workshops

Workshops are offered throughout the year by various advisors according to their areas of expertise. We offer workshops for both graduate students and teacher caandidates. Check Workshops and Conferences on the Student Services website for details.

3. Practicum visits (IETCs only)

Internationally educated teacher candidates (IETCs) can be visited by one of our designated advisors during their practice teaching to receive additional support and feedback, if needed.

4. Pre-Field Experience Program (PREP for IETCs only)

The PREP program is provided for IETCs who may wish to gain further knowledge and confidence in the Ontario system before entering a formally evaluated practicum placement. This option is a non-evaluated mentored-teaching experience with special observation placements in different levels of the system. For further information on PREP(.pdf), click here or contact Dr. Carrie Chassels at caroline.chassels@utoronto.ca

5. E-portfolio and Language Portfolio Support for Concurrent Education Students

Advisors in the OSSC provide support for concurrent education students in the creation of e-porfolios and language portfolios as well as reflective writing.

6. Support in developing French language proficiency

Support is available for concurrent education students who require remediation and intensive support to develop sufficient French language skills required to pass OISE's French Language Proficiency Test.

7. Mathematics for Elementary Teacher Candidates

The OSSC provides a series of workshops to support mathematical concept development among elementary teacher candidates. One-to-one advising hours in the centre are also available.

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Appointments

How many sessions can you book at a time?
Graduate students and teacher candidates can book TWO appointments per week and up to TWO appointments in the future. Each appointment starts on the hour and is 45 minutes long.

The appointment types are described below! Please be careful to check that you are booking the right kind of appointment for the help you need!

ACADEMIC FACE-TO- FACE WRITING APPOINTMENTS

Appointment length: 45 minutes
Who can book? All OISE students
Where? Check the room number online
How? Meet advisor face to face for feedback on your writing/ academic issues
What? Bring your assignment description as well as a paper copy of your work.

SCHEDULED EMAIL APPOINTMENT (For immediate feedback on academic writing)

Appointment length: 45 minutes
Who can book? All OISE students
Where? Online via email. Send work ONE hour ahead to ossc.oise@utoronto.ca
How? Advisor will send you feedback and guidance (but will not edit for you!)
When? Advisor will send feedback after the appointment is over.
What? Send your assignment description as well as email copy of your work. (Do not send a PDF file!)

PHONE APPOINTMENT

Appointment length: 45 minutes
Who can book? All OISE students
Where? By phone or Skype. Email work ONE hour ahead to ossc.oise@utoronto.ca
How? Advisor will give you feedback and guidance (but will not edit for you!)
When? Send us your phone number; we will call you or contact us via Skype (Skype name oiseossc) (You may need headphones and a microphone for this)
What? Send your assignment description as well as an email copy of your work.

24-HOUR ONLINE APPOINTMENT (For DELAYED feedback on academic writing)

Appointment length: 45 minutes
Who can book? All OISE students
Where? Online. Email work 24 hours ahead to ossc.oise@utoronto.ca
How? Advisor will give you feedback and guidance (but will not edit for you!)
When? Advisor will reply within 24 hours of scheduled appointment time.
What? Send your assignment description as well as an email copy of your work.

Please note: If you have a large document or many detailed questions/concerns, you may want to book an appointment for the following week in order to continue working on your document with the advisor.

Please be on time for your appointment. If you are more than 10 minutes late, advisors may accept drop-ins to fill the appointment. Please use the online system to cancel any appointments at least eight hours in advance so other students can use your appointment. There are waiting lists for all appointments.

You will be able to select which appointment type you prefer in the questions you must answer when making your booking.

**If you sign up for a certain type of appointment, please do not change it without modifying the booking system as well. For example, your advisor may think you have missed an appointment if you change your mind and email the work instead of coming to the OSSC for the appointment, and then you may not receive feedback.

**If you miss two appointments, your booking privileges will be refused.

Click here to book an appointment.

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