Homework Help Sites: Reviews

Updated January 2008

There are now so many homework help sites -- that is, places on the web where kids can search for information to help get their homework done -- that hundreds of print and online sources review them. That said, only ten reviews appear in our All The Reviews Reviewed chart, and none receive our top rating. Why? It appears that almost every library, school, children's organization and web-oriented publisher has its own website now, many of which include a recommended list of homework help sites, but very few of these say anything more than "here are a few sites we like."

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Best homework help directory

BJPinchbeck.com

Free Learn More

One of the web's first homework help resources, B.J. Pinchbeck (http://www.bjpinchbeck.com/) is still popular with reviewers. Although it's a portal rather than a standalone information source, users say this site is… expandcomprehensive, up-to-date and easy to navigate. The fact that it's been run by a student (B.J.) and his dad since college-aged B.J. was nine years old also contributes to its popularity with students. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Education World: This review of BJPinchbeck.com is a decade old but still somewhat useful, giving the site an A-plus overall for content, aesthetics and organization.

The New York Times: This review compares BJ Pinchbeck's Homework Help with eight other homework help sites using a week of fifth-grade assignments.

Common Sense Media.org: Media advocacy group Common Sense Media, evaluating BJPinchbeck.com for safety and educational value, approves it for ages 14 and up -- apparently based on a high reading level and a few minor warnings.

Get help at BJ Pinchbeck

Best reference site

Infoplease Homework Center

Free Learn More

Reviewers say this is the best homework site among those that allow kids to ask questions. Homework Center (http://www.infoplease.com/homework/) responds to queries promptly and often steers students to sites that help… expandthem find (and learn) the answer, rather than just answering questions outright. This site also provides an area where visitors can search through previously answered questions. One reviewer points out that Homework Center is particularly useful for social studies and English. Infoplease's Fact Monster interface, geared toward students between eight and 14 years old, allows kids to perform searches using a kid-friendly interface. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Forbes: Forbes briefly reviews the Infoplease Homework Center, along with nine other recommended homework reference sites.

The New York Times: Comparing the Infoplease Homework Center with eight other sites using a week of fifth-grade assignments, the reviewer finds the reference information on the site very easy to search.

TopTenReviews.com: Top Ten Reviews includes the Fact Monster section of the Infoplease Homework Center in its detailed comparison of 14 homework help sites -- showing features, subject areas, grades and more.

BeritsBest.com: Based on careful screening criteria, this brief review gives the Fact Monster section a perfect rating for safety.

Get help at Infoplease

Best math help

Math Forum

$Math Forum$ Free Learn More

Math Forum (http://mathforum.org/dr.math/) is the best web resource for kids struggling with numbers. Reviewers are particularly impressed with its "Ask Dr. Math" section, in which math-loving volunteers answer math… expandquestions from students of all grade levels. Experts say this site is complete, easy to use and helpful for even the most difficult math problems. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

The Wall Street Journal: Starting with a sixth-grade geometry problem, this review compares Math Forum with four other sites, finding Math Forum satisfactory but not easy to navigate.

Good Housekeeping: Based on explorations of 50 homework help sites, Good Housekeeping recommends the Ask Dr. Math feature, saying "Any site that can lucidly explain old math, new math and new-new math deserves a prominent position on your bookmark list"

Education World: This older review gives the Dr. Math feature an A for organization and another for content, noting that most math questions have already been answered here.

Get help at The Math Forum

Paid reference site

Cosmeo

*Est. $10 per month Learn More

Cosmeo (http://www.cosmeo.com), operated by the Discovery Channel, isn't free, but its interface is slicker with more multimedia features than free websites. Experts say there's a wealth of information here -- including a… expandsearch engine, an online encyclopedia, tutorials and a separate math area called WebMath. Cosmeo gets great endorsement for the quality of its reference content and math help, but it's not free, and recently reported staff cuts lead to questions about Cosmeo's viability. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

TopTenReviews.com: Based on detailed current comparisons, Top Ten Reviews ranks Cosmeo first among 14 homework help sites, though it doesn't review some top contenders.

MultiMedia & Internet@Schools: This detailed single-product review by an educational consultant gives the highest possible ratings to Cosmeo for content, features and technical support.

Yahoo! Tech: This detailed review by a technology writer calls Cosmeo "a tutor in a box," praising the way video lessons, which follow national curricula, aid retention.

Teach42.com: This brief review is biased, since it's by a person who works for the company that owns Cosmeo, but the comments from users highlight both advantages and drawbacks -- with some complaints about having to phone to cancel within the 30-day trial period.

Get help at Cosmeo

Best online tutoring

TutorVista

*Est. $100 per month Learn More

TutorVista (http://www.tutorvista.com/) is geared toward students from K to 12 and into college. Parents say TutorVista, which charges $100 a month for unlimited one-on-one virtual tutoring in a wide range of subjects,… expandmakes tutoring accessible. India-based tutors working here must have at least a master's degree and teaching certification, meaning that students get the benefit of learning from a trained educator with expertise in the subject matter. Some users, however, have cited billing and customer service issues, and it's expensive. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

The Wall Street Journal: Starting with a sixth-grade geometry problem, this review compares TutorVista.com with three free homework help sites and one other paid tutoring site, finding the help at TutorVista especially useful.

Reuters: This article, one of many covering this innovative service, interviews the founder of TutorVista and several parents pleased with it.