As of: AUGUST 26, 2008
Free Online Tutoring Service Available to All Alabamians
MONTGOMERY
– Alabamians regardless of age are able to benefit from free tutoring
services by logging on to www.homeworkalabama.org,
The
tutoring sessions had been available to students in the fourth through
12 grades since the Internet program was launched statewide in 2005.
With more than 200,000 online tutoring sessions since then and an
overwhelmingly positive response to the service, it is being expanded so
"students from five to 95 can connect to a tutor for free one-to-one
help," said Governor Riley.
Expert
tutors are available to offer assistance from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
through Thursday in subjects ranging from English to Math, Science and
Social Studies. Alabamians can connect to a tutor for live help through
any computer with Internet access, including computers at their local
public library or at home.
"With
today’s technology, we can literally transcend the walls of the
traditional classroom," said Governor Riley. "But our commitment to
providing children with the tools to learn must not stop when the school
day ends. Technology offers innovative ways to improve student
achievement and give our children the one-on-one help they need after
school."
The Governor noted that more children are being
introduced to the computer at earlier ages than ever before. "Parents
who bring their young children to these live online tutoring sessions
will provide them with a new and safe learning resource. It will also
help increase a young child’s ability to work with computers, and in
today’s world the value of that experience is extraordinary," said
Governor Riley. "We also have many adults who can benefit from a tutor,
whether they’re working toward their GED, taking an adult education
class or seeking grammar help with their resume or a work-related
project."
Since homeworkalabama.org began in 2005, students have
logged on for free tutoring sessions more than 204,000 times. If
parents had paid a tutor for those sessions at the average national rate
of $35 per session, the cost would have been more than $7 million.
The
service uses Tutor.com to select and train the tutors, who are current
and retired teachers, graduate students and college professors. Every
tutor must pass a security check. In addition, before they are hired,
prospective tutors submit resumes and teaching samples that show how
they would help a child solve particular problems, complete technology
training, participate in mock sample sessions, undergo a 30-day
probation period and work with a mentor.
During
a demonstration at Juliette Hampton Morgan Memorial Library on Monday,
Governor Riley was connected to a tutor over the Internet. Tutors help
students through the use of instant messaging, an interactive virtual
"chalkboard" and shared Web browsing. Drawing and diagramming features
allow tutors to demonstrate math and science concepts. When the session
is complete, students can print their session for future reference or
share it with a parent or teacher. Both students and tutors complete
surveys, which are shared with the Alabama Public Library Service each
month.
According to surveys, 91 percent of students who have used
it said Homework Alabama is helping them complete their homework
assignments, 90 percent said it is helping to improve their grades, and
95 percent said the service makes them more confident about their school
work.
Can students use the
system to get tutors to do their homework for them? No. Every tutoring
session is recorded and monitored, tutors are trained to prevent such
problems and tutors are forbidden from completing homework for students.
"Homework Alabama is obviously a great service for students,
but it’s great for parents, too. There are many parents out there who
can’t always be available to help their children with homework.
Sometimes even if they are available, they don’t know enough about the
subject," said Governor Riley. "It’s so easy, even a parent can use
it."
For more information, contact the Governor’s Press Office at 334-242-7150.