| Web Site |
What You Can Do Here |
Grade Level/ Target User |
Strengths |
Limitations |
The Bottom Line |
| About.comýs Homework and Study Tips |
ýFind a personal tutor
ýQ&A
ýGet subject-specific links
ýJoin subject-area discussions
ýFind reference materials |
8ý12 and teachers |
A full-service network with reliable links, knowledgeable content experts, and subject area gems |
Great links are there, but hard to find |
A very rich reference site, but getting to the jewels often requires persistence. |
| AOL@SCHOOL |
Find reference materials, current events information, and teacher tools |
Ký12; teachers and administrators |
Great links and research tools |
Many distractions; search engine results too general for older students, e.g., none found for Catcher in the Rye. |
A broad-spectrum solution to general homework queries; best for Ký8 |
| bigchalk |
ýFind a personal tutor
ýQ&A
ýAccess subject-specific links, reference materials, lessons, practice quizzes, and teacher tools |
3ý12; teachers and parents |
ýVery organized
ýTerrific lesson plans
ýRich links and dozens of experts to answer homework questions |
Thereýs so much here, itýs easy to get sidetracked. Search engine not always effective; some dead or inactive links |
A large, full-spectrum reference and homework resource with consistent quality at all grade levels |
| Discovery School.com for Students |
ýFind a tutor
ýQ&A
ýAccess subject-specific links, reference materials, loads of mind-bending activities and teacher resources |
3ý12; teachers and parents |
ýGreat search engine
ýExcellent links
ýIntuitively organized
ýWebmath instant help engine |
ýLimited reference materials
ýHeavy graphics may be distracting for some students. |
Use the search engine to find this siteýs rich assortment of help tools and activities. |
| Educational Resources |
ýQ&A
ýFind subject-specific links, quizzes, interactive games, and lessons |
Ký12 and teachers |
ýAge-appropriate news articles, headline news quizzes, and current events
ýActivities best for middle school students |
Q&A isnýt screened, so answers arenýt always reliable. |
Fun games and drills make this site a treat for middle school kids. Teachers will like the current events stories, modified for early readers. |
| Encarta by Microsoft |
ýFind a tutor
ýQ&A
ýAccess extensive subject-specific Web sites, reference materials, and study tips |
4ýCollege |
Great reference and current events materials |
ýFee-based subscription required to access many articles in search results.
ýCommercial feel |
Thorough, authoritative content with dozens of experts to answer questions in a variety of fields |
| Fact Monster |
ýQ&A
ýFind subject-specific links and lessons, reference materials, and educational games and quizzes |
2ý7 |
Searchable almanac entries with lots of interesting information (idioms, mythology, math and science tables, etc.) |
Math and science categories include only the most basic information. |
A good resource for dates, events, and geographical summaries |
| Homework-help.com* |
Find subscription-based subject-area lessons, interactive quizzes, writing exercises, standardized test prep, and more |
6ý12; teachers and administrators |
Subscription-based lessons offer excellent multimedia demonstrations. |
ýText-heavy lessons
ýNo way to get more explanation if needed |
An intuitively accessed site with brief supplementary lessons to regular coursework. Students will find math sections most helpful. |
| Lightspanýs Homework Zone* |
ýAccess links to Q&A
ýFind subject- and grade-specific links, lessons, reference materials, and subscription-based test prep |
Ký6; teachers and parents |
Focused resources, e.g., ýFavorite Fiveý Web sites, access the best of the Web by age and subject area. |
ýInterface is somewhat cluttered and distracting.
ýSearch engine results not often relevant |
Students will appreciate ýFavorite Fiveý links, activities, and reference resources, but this site is a better tool for teachers. |
| The Math Forum: Ask Dr. Math |
ýQ&A exclusively for math problems
ýSearch math forum archive |
4ý12 and teachers |
ýCovers a wide range of math topics
ýGreat links to word problems and practice equations. |
Explanations of elementary math problems donýt use models; answers are not always consistent. |
Good site for advanced math questions, not as strong for tutoring basic math concepts |
| Student-Academy* |
ýQ&A
ýSubscribe for lessons and self-assessments |
8ýCollege |
Excellent quizzes and tests offer immediate results. |
Textbook-like lessons offer no feedback or direction. |
Lessons and activities provide a good supplement for math and science courses. |
| StudyWeb by Lightspan |
Find a large library of subject-specific links and reference materials |
Ký12 and teachers |
ýStudyBuddy reference materials
ýHundreds of sites, tagged for grade level and rated for visual content
ýSocial studies and literature resource |
Search engine limited; find what you need by browsing. |
A solid, subject-specific reference with great links; best for middle and high school students. |
| Tutor.com* |
Find personalized, live tutoring help |
2ýCollege |
Instant help |
Limited help in social studies, especially at Ký8 level |
A good place to find immediate, one-on-one homework help. |
