BACK TO SCHOOL: Finding Homework Help

Gone are the days when homework required you to do research using Encyclopedia Britannica. Today’s students grab their laptops and use the Internet to find answers for research assignments. But while many people boast they can find anything on the Internet, knowing a few reliable sources, specifically those geared toward students, is one important key to homework success.

The Baltimore County Public Library website links to several other trusted homework related websites.

One of these recommended sites is Brainfuse, according to Manager Darcy Cahill. “It’s an online tutoring and help site. Live tutors are available to help with everything from school homework to resumes,” Cahill said. Ask a question on the site and a tutor will respond within 24 hours.

Another helpful site is Homework Spot, which has links to almost every school-related topic you can imagine. Discovery Education is another fabuloulous site for homework help, educational games and a step-by-step math support program. And refdesk.com has subject matter resources for elementary through college students, as well as research paper guidelines and help from experts.

Cahill also recommends Kids.gov. “It’s a portal to everything of interest to kids on government websites. Kids.gov is designed for students K-8, as well as educators. Students can design their own money on the treasury site, create their own animation on the National Gallery site or play infrared hide-and-seek on the NASA site," she said. "In addition to the learning games, the site provides a wealth of information for homework assignments and projects. It’s a fantastic resource."

If you're in need of an idea for a science project, I also found Science Buddies, which is geared to students K-12. It’s an excellent place to search, especially if you're having a hard time being creative. Another one to check out for free ideas is All Science Fair Projects.

Using the Internet to assist with homework problems certainly can help your child, but make sure they understand how to use these resources.

It should be clear that copying directly from the website, without citing it as a source, is plagiarism, and that is not OK. Likewise, looking up math answers and not understanding the principles behind how the answer is calculated is only cheating the student in the long run.

What other resources do your students use to help with homework issues?