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.

NOTE: During COVID-19, Learning Centre support can be accessed via 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
  • Positive learning environment for both independent and group study
  • Student computer stations and printing
  • Online and printed study materials
  • Referrals to other student services
     

Supplemental Learning

Under the Supplemental Learning (SL) model, an SL leader is placed in your class to listen to the lectures. This leader is a student who has recently completed the course and has been recommended by faculty. Then at each SL session, the leader guides fellow students through the material covered in that lecture with practice problems and other student learning materials. The SL sessions supplement the lectures by giving students the opportunity to work collaboratively in small groups with the course material, ask questions and clarify challenging course concepts.

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:

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 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Subjects: English and Writing
Dyani Simon
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4694
Email: dsimon@okanagan.bc.ca
Location: Learning Centre in the Library L204
Hours: Mon - Fri 8 a.m. - 4 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: Mon - Fri 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: Mon - Thur 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Fri 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Philip Schellenberg
Phone: 250-545-7291 ext. 2215
Email: PJSchellenberg@okanagan.bc.ca
Location: D314
Hours: Mon - Thur 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Fri 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

    Michelle Doege
    Phone:     250-545-7291 Ext. 2215
    Email: MDoege@okanagan.bc.ca
    Location: D314
    Hours: Mon - Thur 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
     Fri 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

    Subjects:
    English and Writing

    • 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

      Subjects: English and Writing
      Brittany Houston
      Phone: 250-492-4305, ext. 3302
      Email: bhouston@okanagan.bc.ca
      Location: PE C13 Sunoka Building
      Hours: Mon-Fri, 7 hours a day
       

      Subjects: Math, Statistics and Physics
      Barbara Lacy
      Phone: 250-492-4305, ext. 3302
      Email: blacy@okanagan.bc.ca
      Location: PE C13 Sunoka Building
      Hours: Mon - Fri, 7 hours a day
       

      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

      • Make an appointment by signing up on the sign-up sheet located outside the door to the Success Centre.
      • Drop-in help is available if a coordinator is free (appointments take priority)
      • Learning Coordinators can also be contacted by self-enrolling in Penticton's Online Student Success Centre on 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: Mon, Wed 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and 5 - 6 p.m. Tues, Thur, Fri 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.