Online Math Homework Help -- the Basics 


In this blog, I’m going to lay out a system for finding, organizing and developing your math homework skills online. Web tools, sites and services can enhance your abilities and make it easier for you to not only to breeze through your math homework, but to retain more of the information that you’ve put down on paper. Because while it is often simple to just do the homework itself, it is more difficult to come away from the assignment feeling that you understand why the problems worked out in the way they did, or how the methods that you used might be reapplied later on a test or quiz.

Enter the Khan Academy
 The first website that I will mention is the Khan Academy by Salman Khan. As a triple major in math, electrical engineering and computer science, Mr. Khan began his educational mission by tutoring his 7th grade niece — just like FrogTutoring does for its clients. Mr. Khan’s website uses traditional blackboard-style diagrams and combines these with modern video technology to create web-based video tutorials that can serve you well when you are in a pinch or preparing for a last-minute exam. His website is available here: www.KhanAcademy.com. It can be a useful supplement to your FrogTutoring private sessions, as many students will not be able to stay engaged during a web video, or might become easily distracted by sidebars, or other available media. So to counteract these difficulties, stick with your child throughout the course — or if you are a student, write down a practice schedule for going through the problems, checking your answers and defining terms (refer to my first blog for a run-through on how to self-test and get the most out of your homework).

WebMath
 Another useful math homework help tool online is the database of problem sets, answer sheets, and lesson plans provided by Web Math at www.WebMath.com. Here, you may search among a series of problem types from different disciplines within mathematics, such as Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry, and more. For preparing for the GED or high school exit exam, you’d like to combine several of these subjects as you work through the website; or create your own curriculum to maximize your potential for success on the ensuing exams. While using these programs on their own can be effective, it is far more beneficial to allow a course tutor to assist you with a set of problems, with your workload or your plan for achieving your educational goals. With a FrogTutor by your side, you can register with Khan Academy or Web Math, and have your tutor prepare a list of relevant projects for you to tackle as you confront the course.

Getting Online -- But Staying the Course
These two offerings, the Khan Academy and Web Math, are both available as smartphone apps. However, the bottom line is that doing your math homework online, or electronically, can be either a boon or a bane. If you are an independent learner and prefer the challenge of learning on your own, then go ahead and try a few sets of Khan Academy or Web Math sets — you might find them challenging, or easy, but either way you will come away with knowledge of yourself and your own abilities, preferences and aptitudes.

If you are more of a social learner, and you enjoy exchanging ideas with classmates or receiving instruction within a group setting, then allow yourself to be led and guided by a tutor, or to be shown the way by more knowledgeable, informed or committed classmates. Either way, do not allow yourself to fall off course or to become scattered and disorganized in your study schedule and discipline.

It is important to achieve results via the application of tried and true methods, including persistent review and far-thinking planning. No matter what, if you remain constant in your pursuit of success, then you WILL see results over time. Just make sure to self-check and review as you go, so you know where to focus throughout the day-to-day course of your math studies! I hope these two online study guides provide some level of support and help for you as you navigate the challenging waters of mathematics. Relax and enjoy the ride!