Math Tutoring Online

An increasing common alternative to traditional tutoring is carried out via Internet. Personal online tutoring connects a tutor with a student, each sitting at their own computer in different locations, even different continents!

There are two different types of online tutoring, asynchronous (not real-time communications - typically student and teacher exchange questions, answers, assignments, etc. using email) and synchronous (student and tutor are typically connected via the Internet and communication includes audio and, sometimes, video - an on-screen whiteboard is often used for examples and attempts at different math operations)

Free online tutoring services

We will be developing the listing below to include as many free online tutoring services as we can. Please contact us if you know of a free service we should add to the list.

For those fortunate enough to be in San Jose this free online tutoring service can be accessed by those with a San Jose Public Library card.
http://www.sjlibrary.org/services/reference/live_homework.htm

And for residents of Alabama - http://www.homeworkalabama.org/
Free homework help and tutoring. 4th through 12th grades.

In San Diego at http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/
through the Public Library system. Uses tutor.com and is funded by local businesses. Click on the Live Homework Help icon on the library homepage. A San Diego library card is required.

http://www.learnnowbc.gov.bc.ca/default.aspx
In B.C., Canada - LearnNowBC provides free access to online tutors via a chat room. Available to B.C. students.

Ask Dr. Math - http://mathforum.org/dr.math/
Questions can viewed in the archive alongside the responses. Questions are categorized at the Elementary School, Middle School, and High School levels. You can also post questions and receive a e-mail response for questions that have not already been answered in the archive

Also: http://www.mathnerds.com/mathnerds/
Once you have registered you can post questions and view the archive of previous answered ones. Archive can be searched by keyword and it is categorized at K-5 Elementary, 5-8 Middle School, 9-10, and 11-12 High School levels.

Considerations when selecting an online math tutoring service:

• Communication methods vary among tutoring services: some have audio and video facilities built into their tutoring application while others make use of 3rd party communication tools such as MSN Messenger and Skype in a slightly less integrated manner. Other providers use chat room type communication where the keyboard and screen are used.
• Real time communication via a computer often requires high speed internet access, a headset with microphone and a digital tablet on which the student can write for the tutor can view on her computer screen and vice-versa.

• Some providers make use of digital whiteboards on which either the tutor (and sometimes the student) can "draw" with a digital pen/ mouse. Others rely on passing documents via email.
• Some math tutoring services use employees as tutors while others act as more of a broker connecting tutors with students. Consequently, validation of qualification and background checks varies. Some services use only certified teachers, others have a range of qualification requirements and standards.
• Some providers will provide a free or lost-cost trial and or money back guarantees