Looking for Online Instruction For Your Child?

Consider an Online Tutor for Back-to-Class Homework Success

BALTIMORE, MD - Educational Web sites abound on the Internet, offering students assistance ranging from long division and fractions to reading comprehension and vocabulary development. However, given the vast number of online resources available, how can parents determine which sites best meet their child's learning needs?

According to Opinion Research Corp., 79 percent of parents will go online in search of homework help and academic resources for their children. The U.S. Census Bureau also estimates that 68 percent of school-age children will use the Internet to complete school research and homework assignments.

"While many of the tools necessary to complete homework assignments and review critical skills are available online, many parents have trouble sorting through the options," states Pat Hoge, executive director of education and curriculum development for eSylvan, the leading online tutoring service. "In many cases, an online tutor, who can provide individualized assistance, may be what the student needs."

Many "homework help" Web sites offer lessons and activities in math, reading and language arts, but unless a parent knows precisely which skill gaps need to be addressed, these sites may provide little more than guidance on specific homework problems or links to other Web sites. An online tutor can provide interactive, personalized instruction tailored to the specific learning needs of a child, helping him build skills necessary for both current and future homework assignments.

eSylvan, which offers live, Web-based reading and math instruction to students in grades three through nine, recommends the following tips to keep in mind when selecting appropriate online instruction for a child:

Personalization. Be sure your child's program is specifically designed to address his or her identified skill gaps and specific learning needs.

Flexibility. Because your schedule may not be the same from week to week, make sure your scheduling needs can be accommodated in order to sustain your child's learning momentum.

State-Certified Teachers. Research indicates that a teacher's effectiveness has a significant impact on student achievement. Be sure your child is working with highly qualified and credentialed teachers.

Progress Updates. An ongoing dialogue about your child's academic progress is important; a series of scheduled conferences can provide specific feedback for you and your child.

Accreditation. Instructional programs that have proper academic accreditation offer well-defined academic curricula and approved teaching methods and materials.

Guarantee. Your child's academic improvement should be guaranteed. For example, eSylvan guarantees that a child will improve at least one full grade-level equivalent after 36 hours of instruction, or it will provide 12 additional hours of instruction for free.