Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of services we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Online Homework Help Services.

Ratings

Features Set

Homework help websites will include some or all of the following features: Lessons and tutorials, learning games, learning activities, science experiments, quizzes, parent and teacher resources and online tutoring. Sites that charge a monthly fee provide free software that supports detailed tutorials and customized activities.

Online tutoring also provides free software that makes it easy to communicate with an online tutor. Some features include writing, drawing, highlighting and erasing tools, math and chemistry symbols, as well as different styles and colors of text.

Ease of Use

A good homework help website should be easy to use, especially for young children. Students ought to be able to search by keyword or phrase and a navigation window or toolbar prevents students from getting lost during searches.

Homework help services that require installation of their software, should provide quick downloads from their website.

Ease of Installation/Setup

Free homework help websites do not require installation or setup; however, for optimal performance, high–speed Internet is recommended.

For a paid service, parents should be able to sign up on the service’s website with a credit card, download their software and begin using immediately. Some sites offer free trials or money–back guarantees.

Help/Support

Free and paid services should provide information such as FAQs or a help menu. A free homework help website will have limited or no contact information. However, sites that charge a fee should have telephone or email contact information for customer service or technical support and they should reply within 24 hours.

Services

Online Tutoring

One–on–one instruction with a tutor over the Internet.

Subject Database/Search Engine

The service provides information through articles, lessons, tutorials, quizzes and tests or a search engine that can search other websites for useful information.

Video lessons

Lessons recorded from a classroom or lab setting that can be downloaded and played back at a student’s convenience.

Articles

Articles from newspapers, magazines, books, scientific journals or other scholarly sources.

Lessons/Tutorials

Summary or step–by–step instructions about how-to accomplish specific tasks, solve problems or perform experiments.

Parent Resources

Information for parents on a variety of educational topics such as helping with homework, parent/child learning activities, learning disabilities, school alternatives and important contacts related to educational organizations.

Teacher Resources

Information for teachers such as lesson plans, teaching tools, education issues, online resources and tips for the classroom.

Games

Educational games that make learning fun.

Step-By-Step Solutions

Mostly for math problems. The lesson will "walk" a student through each step necessary to solve a problem.

Resource Materials

Encyclopedias

Detailed reference of names, places and events on a variety of subjects. Some encyclopedias are subject specific.

Dictionaries

An alphabetical list of words with their meaning, spelling and pronunciation.

Thesauruses

An alphabetical list of words along with their meaning, synonyms and antonyms.

Alamanacs

A reference work related to the weather, climate and astronomical configurations of geographical regions or specific regions of a country.

Maps/Atlases

A collection of maps with extra information such as topography, population, climate and other statistics.

Other Online Resources

Links to other education websites or search engines.

Subjects

Pre-Algebra

An introduction to basic algebra formulas such as adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions and solving problems with variables.

Algebra

A branch of mathematics that uses symbols and letters to represent unknown numbers (variables) in complex problem solving.

Calculus

A branch of mathematics relating to the rates and change of quantities including volume, length and area.

Geometry

A branch of mathematics that deals with measurement and relationships of points, lines, angles, surfaces, and solids.

Trigonometry

A branch of mathematics that deals with relationships and formulas between the sides and angles of triangles.

Science

General Science

A combination of simplified instruction in chemistry, physics, astronomy, biology and botany, usually taught in elementary schools.

Biology

The science of living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution and distribution.

Geology

The science of the structure, history and content of the earth’s crust.

Geography

The study of the earth, its features, distribution of life and the effects of human populations.

Chemistry

The science of matter, especially at the atomic and sub–atomic level.

Physics

The study of the interactions between matter and energy.

Astronomy

The study of matter in outer space including the orbits of planets and stars.

Anatomy

The study of the human body.

Botany

The study of the evolution and structure of plants.

English

Writing/Composition

Process of researching, organizing and writing essays, articles, reports, etc. Includes learning proper grammar and punctuation.

People/Places/Cultures

Anthropology. The study of different races, ethnicities and cultures of people around the world.

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