 Actually you don't need to place a call. All you have to do is go
the Lincoln Public Library's online site,
www.lincolnpubliclibrary.org, and click on the smiling face logo
that says "Live Homework Help." Who says the electronic age isn't
great.Louella Moreland, youth services librarian at the Lincoln
Public Library, wants to get the word out on a new program available
to students in our area who need help in school subjects. The
program offers online tutoring by experienced, well-trained
professionals in the fields of English, math, science and social
studies for fourth grade through college intro to anyone with a
Lincoln Public Library District card number.
Although the electronic tutoring service is offered by over 1,600
libraries throughout the country, the program is new to downstate
Illinois. Moreland advised that the services have been made
available to residents in this area through a grant from an
unspecified source.
The program began in January and is already garnering interest.
Moreland said that in the month of February, 30 area students took
advantage of the tutoring help, and the word is just getting out.
"The company, tutor.com, is staffed by experienced tutors who
also are required to receive extensive training in their field of
tutoring," Moreland explained. Tutor.com currently has over 2,000
experienced professionals available to help students with their
studies.
All a student has to do is click on the homework help icon, put
in their library card number, and they will have contact with a
tutor experienced in the subject they are having trouble with.
Moreland is enthused about the help this could mean for students
who are struggling in a subject or want to improve on a weakness. In
cases where extensive tutoring is needed, tutors determine where the
student is in a subject and go from there. "This process is very
individualized to each student's needs," she said.
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 "The learning process takes place via a chat room where a student
and tutor can communicate back and forth on the subject," Moreland
said. "In cases where computations are important, there is even a
'white board' available so a student can see how a math problem was
solved. The tutor will also advise the student of other links where
more information and a better explanation on the subject is
available."
Moreland sees a huge benefit to this online tutoring system.
"Parents have asked for help with their children, but nothing fit
the bill like this," she said. "There were always problems with
schedules and transportation, but this Internet service removes
those problems."
There is also the possibility that some students who might feel
embarrassed asking a teacher or friend to help them with a subject
won't mind going online to get help from a professional without feeling
as though the entire school knows they are having a problem with
a subject.
There will be further benefits to the community down the line as
reports start coming in that show the strengths and weaknesses of a
student's abilities.
"Education is such an important part of a person's life. A good
education can mean a totally different and better life is available
when a student continues their education," Moreland stressed.
Getting the necessary help to keep that process in line online is
now available in Lincoln and Logan County.
So relax, Mom and Dad. You are off the hook on that subject you
only vaguely remember. Help for your child is only a few clicks
away.
The help line is open from 4 to 10 p.m. daily, and students are
urged to use this free service to help them with their studies.
Again, as a reminder, all a student needs is a Lincoln Public
Library District library card number to take advantage of the
tutoring service.
[By MIKE FAK]
Readers can find more of Mike Fak's writing at
www.searchwarp.com
and www.problogs.com.
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