Bell County is one of about 20 Kentucky counties testing the new program called Live Homework Help. At the present the library is picking up the cost of the project that is currently used in 47 states. At present only three or four state legislatures pay for the service.
“Each student who is in fourth through twelfth grade may come to our web site (http://www.bellcountypubliclibraries.org) and click on the link, and say, for example, “I'm a sixth grade student and I am looking for help in math. They will be linked to a personal chat room with a tutor who has been trained in the subject wanted by the student. These are professors, grad students, and retired teachers who are paid to be tutors”, said Librarian Ron Day, who was reporting to the Pineville School Board, about the project.
Once a student signs on and accesses the site, they will be linked with the same tutor, if possible. This assists the student and tutor to develop a relationship so both can have a better learning experience.
“Students can get help in English, Science, Social Studies and Math. By far, math is the most requested service from the tutor,” said Day.
The site is available, for students, from 2-10 p.m. seven days a week. Students may print out conversations they have had with the tutor. There is a screen available for students to write down, for example, a math problem. The student will be able to see the screen and can work with the student using the diagram, on screen.
“One thing, it is important to point out that tutors are not giving out any answers. If a student needs help diagramming a sentence or write an essay on erosion, the tutor can download the essay and read it. The tutor may say look at page three and talk about subject-verb agreement or talk about tense, but will not correct the essay,” Day said.
Counties already using Live Homework Help are praising the project. Last month McCracken County had 994 sessions for students who came home in the evening to get help and advise on their homework, according to Day.
“This is a service we are pushing because we want to make it a success. Many people can afford private tutors, but in this area many people can not afford private tutors, even it they were available for hire. So with this grant we want to make the service available, Day said.
Parents are encouraged to go on line and talk with the tutor, see what they are like. Conversations are available either by printed word or microphone. However, conversation, using a microphone is not recorded for future use.
Day said when signing on for the first time people will be asked to download a version of “Shockwave” that is designed especially for the program.
If they wish, parents, students, or both, may come to the library where they will be able to get assistance to see how the program works.
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