Online Resource of the Month

October - November 2007

Each month, the Library features one of its online premium resources, paid for by the San Diego Public Library, and available at the locations indicated.

Live Homework Help

What is Live Homework Help?
Live Homework Help is an innovative after school program that allows libraries to reach out to young people and communities through live "online" tutors. This live one-to-one on-demand homework assistance is available from SDPL libraries and remotely from home or other computers with a San Diego Public Library card. It provides daily hours of tutoring in math, science, social studies, and English, and serves 4th through 12th grade students. Help in Spanish (en espaņol) is also available in math and science. The services are provided at no additional cost to students. Live Homework Help is offered at more than 1,500 public libraries and sites across the U.S. and Canada..

What Hours are Live Homework Help Available from San Diego Public Library?
The service is available every day, seven days a week, from 1:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. The Spanish service is available Sunday through Thursday, from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Who are the Live Homework Help tutors?
Live Homework Help tutors successfully complete a comprehensive application process, which includes submitting a resume, teaching experience, and teaching samples. Tutors must complete a third-party background check (students' credentials are confirmed by their university) and receive certification through the Tutor.com Training Program. Types of tutors include: certified teachers; college professors; professional tutors; graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in accredited colleges and universities; and, proven subject experts. They are experts who provide help -- not answers -- and a safe environment in which to learn.

What does Live Homework Help look like?

Figure 1: Live Homework Help - Sample Screenshot

In the screenshot above of Live Homework Help, you will see the layout of a typical session with a student. The upper area is the "chat" area [like "instant messaging"] where tutor and the student talk and write each other. The right side top area shows the tutor's name, the subject area being worked on, and the grade level. The bottom portion of the screen shows the dynamic "whiteboard" area where the tutor and student can draw, and communicate - including using file sharing, browsing Web sites and pages, and more. Files that can be shared include Word, Excel, PDF, PowerPoint and other common file types.

How does Live Homework Help work?
It's easy. First step is to select your grade level. Next, you select the subject you need help with. Last, just click CONNECT, and you will be placed in queue for the next available tutor to help you. You can chat with the tutor, use the whiteboard to convey your diagrams or formulas, etc., and also browse and view Web sites or pages for homework help, as needed.

What are some examples of homework help provided by Live Homework Help tutors?

• Recent math sessions: Problems with 2 equations and 2 unknowns; solving system of equations; X and Y intercept; solving probability problems; rounding; simplify radical expression; and, dividing decimals.
• Recent science sessions: antibodies and antigens; non-volatile liquids and barometers; entropy change in chemical reactions; Punnet squares; lymph nodes; and, Earth's atmosphere.
• Recent social science sessions: help with paper on Brown vs. Board of Education; Marx and political theories; American immigrants; research on war in Iraq; history of snowboarding; and, develop an outline for a paper on Angela Davis.
• Recent English sessions: noun clauses; diagramming sentences; proofreading an assignment on the Count of Monte Cristo; preparing an outline for a presentation; how to write a persuasive paper; and, translating lines of Othello into modern English.

When and Why Should I use Live Homework Help?
You can use Live Homework Help anytime it is available, and you need help with your homework or school projects. Remember, over 95% of students using Live Homework Help say they are glad their libraries offer it. Students who use Live Homework Help report they are gaining confidence, completing their assignments, and even improving their grades.

Live Homework Help: Home PC System Requirements
Computers at the library are configured for Live Homework Help; for home computers, the system requirements are listed below. If you need more assistance, please consult the Technical FAQs (frequently asked questions).

• PC with 300MHz processor or better, 128MB RAM or better
• Windows XP or 2000 and Mac OS X supported
• Internet connection - 56K minimum speed
• Super VGA (800x600) or higher-resolution
• Internet Explorer 6 or higher, Firefox 2.0 or higher, Safari
• Flash Player 8 plug-in

Live Homework is now available to Mac users. Students who use Safari or Firefox (2.0 or higher) browsers on MAC OS X or PC users that use the Firefox browser can now connect to an expert tutor for Live Homework Help.

Links to Live Homework Help in the Library Catalog
We have records now in our Library Catalog that will identify the homework services of Live Homework Help, and contain a direct link to the services - for English and Spanish.

Do You Need More Help with Homework?

• SDPL's Homework Center site has many additional resources to help you with homework. Check it out, and mark it a "Favorite" bookmark.
• Artiles & Databases: Our collections include subscription online resources, such as magazine and newspaper archives, encyclopedias, dictionaries, photos, maps, biographies, science guides, historical documents, literature overviews, and much more. All you need for access is your Library card and PIN.