The Teaching and Learning Center, located on the first floor of the Marion P. Carnell Library/Learning Resources Center, provides a variety of services to enhance student learning and achievement of lifelong learning goals. The center strives to assist both students and faculty in the development of the general competencies recommended for all graduates. The center provides continuous learning support for students throughout their college experience.

Assessment Center

Student assessment is part of the college’s educational program. All applicants to associate degree and diploma programs complete the ASSET or COMPASS placement testing, which is a complete educational planning program that includes skills assessment in the areas of language usage, reading and mathematics. Using the results of the assessment, counselors and advisors advise and register students for courses that enable them to achieve their personal and professional educational goals. The Assessment Center offers make-up and proctored testing services to assist instructors and students.

Developmental and Transitional Courses

A broad range of developmental and transitional courses provides students the opportunity to improve academic skills in writing, reading, math and study skills to facilitate success in their chosen curricula or to upgrade for any purpose. Students may enroll in a combination of transitional and curriculum courses based on advisors’ recommendations. Emphasis is on advisement, progress monitoring, development of organizational and thinking skills and career selection, as well as adjustment to the college environment.

Open Computer-Assisted Instruction Lab

In addition to structured transitional courses and tutoring, an open computer-assisted instruction (CAI) lab is provided to students who wish to reinforce a specific skill area. The TLC provides approximately 60 computers with transition skill enhancement software and additional programs recommended by faculty in support of academic program areas. Additionally, each computer has Internet connection and printing capabilities. Computers may also be used for composing, editing and printing assignments.

Tutoring

Free tutoring services are offered to students for most academic courses. Tutoring is provided by community members and peer tutors.  Students desiring tutoring may complete an online request form at www.ptc.edu/tutoring or drop by the tutoring center to request services.

Tutoring is available to students enrolled in courses at the county centers. Interested students should complete an online request form at www.ptc.edu/tutoring or call the tutoring center and speak to the tutor coordinator (1-800-868-5528, ext 8435.)

LIBRARY AND LEARNING RESOURCES

At all locations of Piedmont Technical College, traditional library services are blended with academic computing resources to provide centralized support centers where students can read, study, conduct research, and complete assignments. Whether working in the library and computer lab that make up the Information Commons (Lex Walters Campus), at a Learning Resource Center (County Centers) or online, students will discover quality information, access to technology, and people who want to help them succeed.

Facilities

The bright and spacious Information Commons on the Lex Walters Campus offers comfortable, well-equipped spaces for students to work individually or in groups. Wireless Internet access and equipment such as desktop and laptop computers,  laser printer, TV/DVD/VHS unit, coin-operated photocopier and fax machine help students access and use information. The six County Centers also offer Learning Resource Centers (Laurens and Newberry) and Learning Resource Rooms (Abbeville, Edgefield, McCormick and Saluda) that are suitable for study, research and computing.

Resources

Together, the Information Commons and Learning Resource Centers house over 26,000 books, 4,000 audiovisual items and more than 250 magazine, journal and newspaper titles. Information about these physical items may be accessed by the Web-based library catalog; and thanks to a daily courier system, the resources may be quickly moved from one location to another to serve the needs of students and faculty. Via the Internet, students have 24/7 access to 49,000 full-text electronic books and almost sixty databases of articles and reports pulled from thousands of respected sources. Computers in each facility provide broadband access to the Internet, Microsoft Office applications and other software that supports college courses and programs.

Services

Employees in the Information Commons and in the Learning Resource Centers are always happy to help students. To borrow library materials, students must present their college identification cards which are made on site. Piedmont Technical College has also formed agreements with certain other area libraries so that students may enjoy borrowing privileges throughout the seven-county area.

Other services performed by staff members include teaching research skills, hosting workshops and special events, assisting students in finding materials and using equipment, placing reserves on borrowed items, submitting requests to other libraries for materials and sending materials to other PTC locations. For the added benefit of both traditional and distance learning students, some services are also offered in an online format via the library’s Web site – http://www.ptc.edu/library.