Finish Strong! 5+ Years of PhD Teaching in Writing, Reading & Tech

Sylvia D.

Students! You want a tutor who will be your #1 advocate in your academic journey. That's where I, Dr. Darling, come in. I bring subject expertise, encouragement, tons of patience, and a genuine investment in your success. Learning can feel vulnerable, especially when you're struggling with material or facing a tight deadline. As a tutor, my goal is for you to leave our sessions not just with better work, but with more confidence in your own abilities.

I have five years of teaching experience as a graduate student instructor, teaching college and master-level courses in human-computer interaction, human-centered design, and information science at the School of Information at the University of Michigan. I can tutor you on the psychological principles that underpin the design of various technologies, as well as in academic writing for various audiences. Need to write a background report that evaluates your critical thinking and analytical skills? I can help you organize your ideas and identify the building blocks for strong writing in your own voice.

Now, about ChatGPT, Claude, and other GenAI tools. The jury is still out on the consequences of AI on student learning. My take on human-AI collaboration, supported by emerging research in human-computer interaction and beyond, is that such tools can be genuinely useful for learning! Shocker, huh? AI can help you brainstorm, check your understanding, or work through explanations. What it CAN'T do is replace the deep engagement that produces real learning. The key is that you remain the critical thinker in the driver's seat. Depending on the AI usage policies set by your school or institution and your educational needs, I can help you develop a productive relationship with these tools: knowing when they're helpful, recognizing their limitations, and ensuring your own thinking stays at the center of your work.