Homework Hotlines
Leann Siter
"Oh yeah, all the time. All the time," said Diana Lin, a senior at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California, of how often she is stumped when assisting high schoolers with challenging math or science homework.
The Harvey Mudd Homework Hotline is just one of a handful of college-based free homework help services across the country. Rose Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana, for instance, runs an "AskRose" homework helpline. Texas A&M University in College Station hosts the on-demand "Aggie Homework Helpline" for Texas families with pre-K-12 students needing homework help, review for an upcoming test or even practice with reading skills.
While many of these college-run homework assistance programs got started before the pandemic, there's a renewed focus on the various resources available to elementary, middle and high school students as they recover from pandemic-related academic setbacks or even seek to accelerate their learning.
"I would just patiently walk through it, give examples, make sure that they understand the concept and can work through their homework problems on their own," said Lin, who will graduate this spring with a degree in engineering.
"They kind of seemed to be really happy, and I think by the end of the call, they were just over the moon and being able to finally solve their homework assignment and actually understand what they're doing in class," said Bishka, who will graduate this spring with a computer science degree.
We are committed to guiding student callers through their math and science homework questions, Monday through Thursday, from 6 to 9 p.m. There are certain days of the academic year when we will be closed. These include national holidays and Harvey Mudd College semester breaks and finals week.
Looking for help with schoolwork? Join other kids and families for out-of-school learning support. Get help from a certified teacher to complete homework and improve study skills. Try Teacher in the Library in person or online!
If you are working on a tough homework assignment or have questions about a lesson, come to the Library for Homework Help. We have volunteers who can help K-12 students with math, science, English, social studies and science. Students without homework can read and play learning enrichment games with trained tutors.
You can get Homework Help most days during the school year, except on weekends and school holidays. No reservations are needed just come to the Library during Homework Help hours and bring your homework assignment and textbook. If our volunteers do not know an answer, they will help you find it.
Sometimes when I have been struggling on a problem set for a while, I'll post a question on StackExchange, openly acknowledge that it's homework, and ask for hints (not the full solution). Typically people give good advice and help me think about the problem in several different ways, and I end up learning a lot by asking the question.
Now the thing is, we are probably not supposed to ask the Internet for homework help. But in my classes it is perfectly acceptable to go to TA office hours, where most of them will tell me the entire answer instead of giving hints. Often I've seen TAs present the solution on the blackboard in front of about 20 students (because all the students need help on the same question). We're also encouraged to "collaborate" with other students, who will usually tell you the entire answer instead of giving minimal hints to help you along.
The entire goal of homework is to increase your understanding of new material you've been presented with, usually by using the theory in practical examples. Discussing material with others and "thinking out loud" are time-proven practices to help in grasping new concepts and techniques and as such it's perfectly ethical to process your homework in a way that most efficiently helps you to understand the exercises. As you say your university explicitly supports 2 classic methods help you on difficult assignments: TA assistance and collaboration.
I namely think that the stock standard honor code imposed by universities is a dinosaur that needs to revised, and I think many professors are recognizing that. For example, one of mine mentioned explicitly that he realizes that students use the internet for solutions, and that we should just reference the source when doing so. On one of our homework problems, he also gave us a hint in his office hours and then just added "or just look up a proof on the internet", saying either way is going to be fine ultimately.
Plus, research shows immediate feedback is necessary for learning, and by not asking for help on homework (be it your friends, your professor, or "the internet") you're only hurting yourself. You probably have to at least attempt the problem in earnest to get something out of it, but if you can't get it, you gain nothing by puzzling over it without success. On the other hand, if you do stumble upon a solution on the internet, you might find a new trick or a new way of thinking about it, since you'll have to interpret it on your own. Often, answers here are also given by people with a different background, so you don't get the answer served on a platter, but, instead, you have to really look into it and interpret it so that it fits with your specific background and the tools you are allowed to use.
Pretty much what everyone else said. I dont think there is an ethical issue unless your code of conduct forbids it, and you make it clear that it is homework and you need some guidance versus the whole solution. However keep in mind that what your prof is looking for in terms of answers may not be what the internet comes up with. Often your prof is just wrong but good luck trying to get them to accept it (this happens especially in lower level courses). In higher level courses such as yours I wouldn't worry too much about it, its not like one problem solution from the internet is going to make or break your grade.
Mid-Continent Public Library offers a variety of online resources to help students of all grade levels with their homework and research projects, plus access to live tutors in all subjects seven days a week from noon to midnight. All that is required is a Library card! Find out if your school district is part of the Student Card program. If not, students can sign up for an account today!
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With the support of grants and corporate/community funding, the Library has established 48 Homework Centers. These Centers provide enhanced resources, computer technology, and homework helpers to support the educational needs of students in these communities.
Every school is approaching at home learning differently, while some children are being asked to follow instructions online and submit their work, others are getting more live instruction and then homework to complete. While each situation varies, one thing is the same, navigating the new normal is challenging.
With that in mind, we've developed HuntingtonHelps LIVE with homework help, where our certified tutors for grades K-12, will help students with their individualized homework needs, complete assignments and organize their days from home.
Need HELP? Homework Help Assistants and DML volunteers are standing by, ready to help! Students in K-12 can visit a Homework Help Center at available Branch Libraries to get help with homework and school projects, or to get extra practice in a subject area of their choice. There are also free STEAM activities, educational games, and reading coaching for students without homework or for those who finish their homework early. Computers are available for use and printing is free! Students under the age of 8 must be accompanied in the Library by an adult.
Students can log into their Personalized Learning Pathway (PLP) through Clever to track their progress towards graduation, build resumes and keep track of goals and activities, and see their performance on assessments and access targeted lessons. These lessons can help a student review a standard or concept to build their knowledge of the course work and complete their homework.
Students (kindergarten through adult) can get no-cost, live online homework help, skills building, writing assistance, test prep help, FAFSA application help, and more from expert tutors on Homework HelpNow, opens a new window.
In the years before the Internet became ubiquitous in many homes and schools, students used homework help hotlines when stuck on a tough math problem or reading passage. It's possible that your child's school provides a homework hotline service. Ask your child's teachers or principal if one is available for students. If there is a hotline, find out when it's available, the phone number and what kind of help you can get. If not, you can find other phone and online options for homework help.
Big Y Homework Helpline is a free homework help option worth considering. Big Y provides a toll-free number, 1-800-866-BIGY, which your child can call with homework questions. It's available for grades K-12 and is staffed entirely by certified teachers. The Big Y Homework Helpline is open Monday-Thursday from 4-7pm EST for help in English/language arts, math, science and various foreign languages. If your child would prefer not to call, there is also an online option. Your child simply needs to log on during the hours that the homework helpline is available, provide his or her name, grade and school location.
When your child needs homework assistance, consider calling the homework hotline that's actually called Homework Hotline. In 2008, Homework Hotline won the Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award. The website includes educational videos and activities that may help your child. Homework Hotline's phone service has the same hours of operation as Big Y. It's called 'Dial-a-Teacher' and can be reached toll free at 1-888-986-2345.
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