If I Had Only Known

September 12, 2012

My son is a wonderful kid. However, that fact alone does not always translate into good study habits or the kind of grades one would post on the refrigerator under the "World's Greatest Student" magnet. I have spent a lot of time and money on learning centers and private tutors to make sure that he is not the Jethro Bodeen of his school.

Recently, though, I was given the opportunity to attend a demonstration of Live Homework Help from Tutor.com, one of MCPL's many useful databases. What a resource! 2600 tutors are on staff, just waiting to tackle the impossible homework questions our children present us with as we prepare dinner, do laundry, and provide taxi services. These tutors are available from noon until midnight, 361 days a year (even tutors like to be off on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and the Fourth of July), with an average waiting time of only 90 seconds.

The tutors will not complete or edit your child's homework, but will provide guidance through confusing or difficult questions. If a science fair project is in your future, the tutors can help with ideas and designs. There are no time limits, and tutoring sessions can be replayed on an optional (and free!) tutor.com account.

If you have a reticence about allowing strangers to have contact with your children, be reassured. The experts are well screened. A tutor application takes an average of two months to complete, with federal, state, and local background checks going back seven years and repeated every six months. Even better, the students are completely anonymous with no exchange of personal information allowed, EVER.

To get started, all you need is a Mac, PC, or mobile device with an Internet connection and a MCPL library card. Live Homework Help from Tutor.com can also help with resumes, cover letters, and interview preparation, but I will leave that for another time. I am sure my son will need that, too.

Debbie G.
Buckner Branch