Virtual Studio FAQs

What is a Virtual Studio appointment? 
Choosing a Virtual Studio appointment day and time means you will meet with your tutor in an online virtual environment, rather than meeting face-to-face in one of the Writing Studio physical spaces or using E-Tutor to submit a draft online.

During your session, you have two possible ways to communicate with your tutor:

      1. Text back and forth (similar to instant messaging)

      2. Speak through a microphone (either with headphones or a built-in microphone on your computer)

Shortly after you sign up for an appointment online, you will receive instructions for downloading the software for Teleplace, the virtual world program the Writing Studio uses.

IMPORTANT: You will need to download Teleplace to your own computer and will not be able to use a public cluster computer. If you have a draft ready, save it as a Word document (.doc) or an Open Office (.odt) so that you can transfer it on to a display panel in the space.

How do I decide to schedule a Virtual Studio, rather than a Face-to-Face or E-Tutor appointment? 
Reasons will greatly vary. Virtual worlds offer a number of interesting possibilities, and some writers will find that the environment better suits their writing process and their creative tendencies. In a virtual environment, the text becomes the object of study, taking on a more dynamic “presence,” and productivity has the possibility of increasing exponentially. Besides, it is fun!

What does the environment look like?

Here's a look at a user in front of a display panel, ready to work on a document. 

Do I have to submit a draft? 
No. The Virtual Studio lends itself to a brainstorming session as well as a drafting and/or revising session. You are also invited to schedule an appointment to simply look around and explore the possibilities, with a tutor to guide you as you roam.

Are there any restrictions on the length of a draft or the number of times I can schedule a Virtual Studio appointment? 
Due to tutor time constraints, you are restricted to a maximum of 10 pages of text. A Virtual Studio appointment counts in the Writing Studio policy of a maximum of one appointment a day and two appointments a week.

Am I able to keep a copy of the text and audio exchange with the tutor? Yes. Both written and audio transcripts are available on request.  However, you must arrange for this at the beginning of the session. 

Besides individual appointments with a tutor, how else might I utilize this space?

The Virtual Studio also lends itself to collaborative writing projects, where members of a group can meet virtually and work on writing together.

Email us at virtualstudio@duke.edu and write "Invitation Request" and your Duke Net ID in the subject line. Also, in the email, please tell us the following:

1. Explain the nature of your visit to the Virtual Studio (for example, a tour, a group project, meeting, etc.).

2. Indicate how long you will need access to the Virtual Studio (for example, a day, a week or two, a month).