The internet has long been a source of help with schoolwork. It can be a research tool and a source of free tutorials in subjects like algebra, calculus, physics and chemistry. Some online program tutoring sites are starting to go beyond simple homework help however. Learn about the different kinds of online services tutoring available, and how you can protect yourself or your child from accusations of cheating.
One resource that very few people seem willing to defend are sites selling pre-written or tailored term papers. Chronic procrastinators or those who dread writing have turned to these kinds of services for many years, and are often willing to pay considerable sums of money for a paper. They usually are not getting their money's worth. Papers from these kinds of sites are usually poorly written, or don't fit the assignment. Teachers often have little difficulty in spotting purchased papers, and the consequences are usually severe. Avoid these kinds of services at all costs.
Online services tutoring sites are in a gray area. Some are legitimate, with tutors who are interested in helping you learn the material on your own. Other sites provide answers to homework problems with no explanations given. It is sites like these that have teachers worried about the value of the help they offer.
If you are a student who is tempted to use online program tutoring to get quick answers to homework problems, you should be aware of the possible consequences. You may get a perfect score on your homework assignments, but your grades may suffer on a test, when you are forced to recall the material on your own. Also, if your teacher begins to suspect your sudden improvement is the result of some kind of cheating, you could get a "0" on your assignment.
As a parent, how can you make sure your child is using the internet to help their study as opposed to getting just the answers? One way is by keeping an eye on how they're spending their money. Pay-for-answers sites are not cheap, and frequent use can add up. Also, if your child is spending less time on homework than usual, but getting perfect scores, that is another indicator that something may be off.
If your child does need homework help, there are many legitimate online program tutoring options available. Read through a company's website thoroughly to find out their philosophies about what kinds of tutoring services they give, and what they consider to be too much help. Online services tutoring sites that use digital "whiteboards" to show work and explain how to solve problems are likely to be a much better long-term solution than email help services.
Online program tutoring is a growing area, but it pays to be cautious about which online tutoring sites you use. Rather than quick-fix sites with little quality control or real concern about your education, look for experienced private tutors who can really make a difference in your learning. In its best forms, online program tutoring can be just as effective and motivating as traditional tutoring, with the added benefits and convenience the online medium offers.
