Learning and Success Centres

Three female students taking notes in a classroom.

Learning and Success Centres are located on all Okanagan College campuses. Staff provide comprehensive learning assistance to individuals and small groups of students. Learning Coordinators support students in developing the skills needed to complete their program and become lifelong learners. Help is available in English language, reading and writing, as well as Math, Science and Trades.

Choose your campus to get started

Penticton campus of Okanagan College from a bird's eye view.
Penticton
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Kelowna
Vernon campus from a bird's eye view
Vernon
Aerial view of Salmon Arm campus
Salmon Arm-Revelstoke

Trades students

Trades students at all campuses can book  appointments to work with Elke Pritchard by emailing epritchard@okanagan.bc.ca during office hours: Mon-Thu: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Launch Trades Moodle

How we can help

Learning assistance

  • Learning assistance in Business, English, English language, Math, Science and Trades
  • Assistance with study and learning strategies
  • Workshops on writing and study skills
  • Online and printed study materials
  • Referrals to other student services
     

Subject experts are here to help you

Kelowna

Lynn Sinclair: lsinclair@okanagan.bc.ca

Penticton

Brittany Houston: bhouston@okanagan.bc.ca

Vernon

englishsuccess@okanagan.bc.ca

Salmon Arm

Joaquim Camps: jcamps@okanagan.bc.ca

First-year math

Second-year math

Statistics

Math upgrading

Physics

Chemistry

Biology

Upgrading

Help with Business courses, Computer Science and other subjects is also provided by peer mentors. You can access peer mentors through any Learning or Success Centre pages in Moodle.

Help with Business courses, Computer Science and other subjects is also provided by peer mentors.  You can access peer mentors through any Learning or Success Centre pages in Moodle for your campus.

Contacts and hours

Kelowna Learning Centre

General email: tlckelowna@okanagan.bc.ca

Learning Coordinators may also be contacted through Moodle.

Subjects: Math and Science
Kate Sidlar
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4427
Email: ksidlar@okanagan.bc.ca
Location: Learning Centre in the Library L204
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Subjects: Math and Science
Alex Hanna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4946
Email: ahanna@okanagan.bc.ca
Location: Learning Centre in the Library L204
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Subjects: English language and International
Lynn Sinclair
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4928
Email: lsinclair@okanagan.bc.ca
Location: Learning Centre in the Library L204
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Kelowna Trades Success Centre 

Subjects: Trades
Elke Pritchard
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4677
Email: epritchard@okanagan.bc.ca
Location: Kelowna Trades Success Centre T118
Hours: Monday to Thurday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Connect with the Vernon Success Centre by Moodle

Philip Schellenberg
Phone: 250-545-7291 ext. 2215
Email: PJSchellenberg@okanagan.bc.ca
Location: D314
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Subjects: 

  • Math: Basic Math, Calculus, Statistics, Finite Math, Math of Finance, Calculator Skills
  • Science: Chemistry, Physics, General Science, Biology

Contact by email and a coordinator will be in touch
Email: englishsuccess@okanagan.bc.ca

Subjects:

  • English: reading comprehension, report writing
  • Essay writing skills: thesis statements, organization and cohesion, paragraph focus and development, introductions and conclusions, integrating and citing sources, MLA, APA and Chicago documentation style, editing and proofreading strategies, common grammar errors

Connect with the Penticton Success Centre by Moodle

Subjects: English and Writing
Brittany Houston
Phone: 250-492-4305, ext. 3302
Email: bhouston@okanagan.bc.ca
Location: PE C13 Sunoka Building
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Subjects: Math, Statistics and Physics
Barbara Lacy
Phone: 250-492-4305, ext. 3302
Email: blacy@okanagan.bc.ca
Location: PE C13 Sunoka Building
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
 

Subjects: Biology, Chemistry and Business/Accounting
Student learning assistants
Phone: 250-492-4305, ext. 3302
Location: PE C13 Sunoka Building
Hours: vary, please see posted sign-up sheets for schedule

Appointments

Connect with the Salmon Arm Success Centre by Moodle

Subjects: English, Writing and Study Skills
Joaquim Camps
Phone: 250-832-2126 ext. 8262
Email: jcamps@okanagan.bc.ca
Location: In the Library across from room 141
Hours: 

  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10 a.m. to noon, 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
  • Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., 1 - 5 p.m.
  • Friday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., 2 - 4 p.m.

Subjects: Math, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Dani Valgardson
Phone: 250-832-2126 ext. 8220
Email: dvalgardon@okanagan.bc.ca
Location: In the Library across from room 141
Hours: 

  • Monday: 9 a.m. - noon; 12:30 - 2 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 9 a.m. - noon; 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. 
  • Thursday: 9 a.m. - noon; 12:30 - 2 p.m.
  • Friday: noon - 2 p.m. 

Online study resources

Word power

Grammar, punctuation and style

Research and citations

Types of essays

Parts of an essay

Writing and grammar practice

Evidence and proof

Language and mechanics

Business documents

Business communications

Fiction

Creative non-fiction

Poetry

Drama

Language skills

Test preparation

Language practice

Math

Statistics

Biology

Chemistry

  ​Physics

Practice worksheets

Find worksheets for Math, Chemistry, Physics topics and proficiency tests.

View practice worksheets

Proficiency testing

Proficiency tests are administered through the Testing Centre.  Information about the proficiency testing process and practice tests can be found below.

General information

Students may write the following diagnostic tests in the Testing Centre to meet admission requirements for specific Okanagan College courses or programs. See the course calendar for specific requirements.

  • Basic Algebra Proficiency Test
  • Calculus Readiness Test
  • Business Math Proficiency Test (formerly MDT)
  • Math 11 Proficiency Test
  • Math 12 Proficiency Test
Connect with the Testing Centre

Test-taking process

  • Download a copy of the appropriate practice test, see section below, or contact the Learning Centre Coordinator to receive a copy (available for pick up at the Learning Centre or via email).
  • When you feel you are ready to write the test, contact the Testing Centre.
  • On the day of the test, arrive on time and with pen/pencil, photo identification and a calculator (if permitted).
  • In most cases, you will receive your results as soon as you are finished the test.

Taking tests out of town

If you live out of area you can arrange to write the exam at another location by doing the following:

  • Contact an educational institution in your area and arrange an appointment to write the test.
  • Provide your invigilator with the email address kelownatesting@okanagan.bc.ca.
  • The invigilator must contact the Testing Centre to arrange for the test to be sent and to discuss testing protocol.
  • On the day of the test, arrive on time and with pen/pencil, photo identification and a calculator (if permitted).
  • When the exam is complete, the invigilator can email or fax the test back to the Testing Center for marking. 

Practice proficiency tests

Sample exam questions are available for the following exams: