Who can use Live Homework Help?

Anyone who goes to Champaign schools, public or private, in grades 4 to 12 (plus early college). But it’s really open to all ages. Younger children who are ready for it are welcome. So are adults!

You need to enter your (or your parent’s) Champaign Public Library card number to log in.

If you don’t have a regular library card, anyone can get a computer use-only card from us. Just bring a picture ID to the library. If you go to a Champaign school but don’t live in Champaign, you can also get a computer card.

Who provides the service?

Live Homework Help is provided by Tutor.com. It is offered in more than 1,000 libraries across the country.

Who are the tutors?

They are certified teachers, college professors, professional tutors, and undergraduate and graduate students from top universities.

Every tutor goes through rigorous training followed by periodic seminars to keep improving their skills. Their work is continually evaluated; tutors meet regularly with mentors who review their sessions. Before they start, tutors must successfully complete a third party background check.

The tutors complete thousands of sessions each month, with an emphasis on being encouraging, guiding students to answers, and helping them understand how they got there.

Is help available in Spanish?

Tutoring in math and science is available in Spanish. Biligual tutors are online Sunday to Thursday from 3 to 9 pm.

How does online tutoring work?

If you‘re at home, log in using your Champaign library card or computer card number. You can also use Live Homework Help at our Main Library or Douglass Branch.

You’l enter your grade and the subject you need help with. In a few minutes, you’ll be connected and enter the “Online Classroom.” There you and your tutor will communicate with a variety of tools including instant messaging and a dynamic white board that lets you draw or write out math problems. You can also share relevant Web pages and browse the Web together. Students can instantly share files such as essay outlines and reports for tutors to see. Students can print out their sessions to show to teachers or parents, too.

What can I ask?

Tutors can help you with questions in math, science, social studies, and English.

When should I ask a librarian instead?

It might be better to get help from a Champaign Public Library librarian:

• If you need to choose a book, such as for a book report
• If you have homework about Champaign or Illinois (we have great webpages for this)
• If you need a simple fact, such as the population of the United States, or what year the Declaration of Independence was signed.

How much time do I have?

There is overall no time limit. Tutors will spend up to 20 minutes on just one question. However, if your tutor has helped you for 20 minutes and other students are waiting, the tutor may ask you to log in again to get a different tutor.

What kind of computer and Web browser do I need?

Anyone can use online tutoring on a computer at the library.

To get online tutoring at home, you can use either a PC or a Mac. Here are the technical details:

Minimum Software Requirements

• Operating System: Macintosh, Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, or Windows 2000
• Web Browser: Internet Explorer 6 download now for PCs; Safari or Firefox (version 2.0 or higher) for Macs
• Flash Player version 8 (browser plug-in) download now

Minimum Hardware Requirements

• Mac with OS X or a PC with 300 megahertz or higher processor clock speed recommended; Intel Pentium/Celeron family or compatible processor recommended
• 128 megabytes minimum of RAM, 256 megabytes recommended
• Super VGA 800 x 600 or higher resolution video adapter and monitor
• Internet connection, minimum speed 56K

Having technical trouble with tutoring?

Start with Live Homework Help’s FAQ.

You may also directly contact Live Tech Support or contact Customer Support