1.) High speed internet connection.
2.) Microphone and headphones/earbuds or a headset combo.
3.) Flash Player / Java installed
Note: Flash Player and Java are free and both are probably already installed on your computer.

Yes. All LIVE Online Math services work on Windows, Mac or Linux operating systems.

No. There is no special software to download. All sessions are hosted by a third party company. (Note: Flash Player or Java may need to be downloaded, but both are commonly used internet applications and they are probably already installed on your computer.)

My Account is for administering the "business" side of things. This is where you would enroll in a class, sign-up for a video-based course, register for a workshop, purchase tutoring time. You can even buy gift certificates. You can also see your account history, view past purchases, check your current gift certificate balance, track tutoring time you have used, review tutoring comments and more!

The My Classes system is for students enrolled in a class. This allows students to access the virtual classroom, view class announcements, download class documents and tests, take online quizzes, check the online gradebook, and more.

Presently, paying by check is the preferred method of payment. You can even get a 1% discount on orders over $50 for doing so. Checks can be mailed to the address on the Contact page. PayPal payments are also accepted. You may also use your gift certificate balance if applicable. Finally, a state-funded program can be billed directly by prior arrangement.

All classes are described in detail on the classes page. There you will find information about prerequisites and information students should already know before beginning a particular class. Also, knowing your child as well as you do often allows parents to make the correct choice based on the class descriptions. Parents who are unsure about their student’s ability level should contact the teacher.

Yes! All new customers are eligible for a 2-week trial period in order to attend LIVE sessions and have access to the My Classes system. After the trial period, the full semesteral commitment is expected if you decide to continue.

All class sessions are recorded which allows students to make up missed classes. This is one of the great benefits of LIVE Online Math. While missing classes is not encouraged, the occasional absence or scheduling conflict is no problem. Students simply watch the recorded session to get caught back up with the class!

Start of Classes: September 8, 2010
End of Classes: June 10, 2011
Calendar: 2010-2011 Detailed Calendar

Classes meet three times per week for 1 hr. sessions. Specific schedules vary by class. Please select a specific class for class-specific details.

The terms "Traditional" and "Constructivist" are stereotypical terms that tend to be limiting because they often do not allow for a happy medium. LIVE Online Math uses a traditional progression of classes and structure of content (i.e. Pre-Algebra leads to Algebra, etc.). When the material lends itself to a discovery style of learning, then the teacher tries to let the students discover mathematical principles on their own, with guidance. Students will tend to remember something better, if they have discovered it, rather than just being told how it is. However, it is important to note that students are not left to their own devices to "discover" anything they want. The teacher always guides the students toward what is to be learned. Of course, there are times where a discovery teaching style does not fit the content. In those cases, direct instruction is used more often than not. The overriding goal, no matter the instructional style, is for students to truly understand math and become a more educated person, not simply to know how to get answers.

Most of the time, yes. However, to find out for sure, please contact the teacher.

The My Classes System allows students to access the virtual classroom, view class announcements, download class documents and tests, take online quizzes, check the online gradebook, and more.

You can see the textbook being used for each class along with other class-specific information by selecting a specific class from the classes page.

However, the role of the book is not instructional. Instruction happens via LIVE sessions. The book is used for doing assignments and occasionally looking at a sample problem.

Assignments are an important part of the learning process. Assignments are like practice for sports teams or musicians, and tests/quizzes are like games or recitals. Most of the class time is used for instruction and review of previous assignments or material. Therefore doing assignments for homework is inevitable.

Yes. Tests and quizzes are vital because they give another piece of information to the teacher about student progress. They are also a good opportunity for students to showcase their learning.

Paper/pencil tests, online quizzes, and other projects are corrected by the teacher or the My Classes system. Regular homework assignments are not turned in. However, they are corrected by the students so they can investigate why they got certain problems wrong.

Students scan their completed tests, and then upload the scanned images during a test turn-in session. Alternatively, a digital picture can be taken in place of scanning. Students may also upload their scanned test images to the My Files area in their My Classes account. After the test has been corrected, the teacher will place it in their My Files area for the student to review, along with the detailed test answer key.

Students receive regular feedback about their progress from the teacher. Also, the teacher communicates student progress at regular intervals to the parents via email, phone, and/or downloadable audio files. Student progress is tracked, and informal in-class observations are made which give the teacher a more complete picture of how each student is doing. Formal grades can also be given by request.

As much as you want to be. Parents are invited to sit in on any class to observe the workings of the online classroom. Parents are encouraged to help their child with homework or help them understand concepts taught during class. One way that parents must be involved, is with administering tests and quizzes. Parents must ensure that the test/quiz is valid by not giving help and making sure that the student is working independently.

Students simply communicate with the teacher if they need extra help and a 1 on 1 or small group session will be scheduled. Ultimately, the onus for getting extra help is on the student. If a significant amount of extra help is needed, tutoring time can be purchased.

Workshops are short classes that cover specific content in math (i.e. "Solving Systems of Linear Equations", "Intro. to Geometric Proofs", "Surface Area and Volume", etc.). They are great for supplementing your current math program. They are also perfect for homeschooling co-ops and have applications in public and private school settings.

The cost of the workshops vary depending on the material covered and how long the workshop lasts. Please see our current workshops and/or upcoming workshops for more details about specific workshops.

1 on 1 tutoring can cost as little as $22/hr. depending on the amount of tutoring time purchased in advance. Please see the tutoring page for more details.

However you want. Some people prefer a regular weekly schedule. Some prefer to use it on an as-needed basis. Even the duration of the each session can change to meet your needs. Once the time is purchased, it is very flexible in how it can be used.

You can check your current tutoring time balance and see a history of tutoring comments by logging in to your account. Your tutoring time balance is also included in the email you receive after a tutoring comment has been posted to your account.

After each tutoring session, a comment will be posted to your account and automatically emailed to you as well. Comments usually describe what was worked on in that session and other observations and/or suggestions from the tutor. Reminders and links to online resources may be posted there as well.

The convenience of having the tutor "come to your house" is one outstanding benefit. Also, since there is no travel for the tutor, and no building to maintain, prices for online tutoring tend to be lower than local tutors and tutoring facilities. Additionally, the whiteboard technology allows for the use of images, .PDFs, Word documents, etc. to enhance student learning. Finally, tutoring sessions are recorded for student convenience and review at later times.

Simply scan the content you need the tutor to see. Then it can be brought into session as an image or .PDF so the tutor and student can see and work with it simultaneously.

Features are listed on the video-based courses page.

There are two ways to incorporate LIVE session time into the video-based course you sign up for.

Add Office Hours Support: Just drop into a LIVE session during office hours and get the help you need. Office hour days are generally available during the traditional school year. Currently, office hours are Tue. and Thu. from 8:00am – 9:00am PST.

Add 5 hours of Personalized LIVE Session Time: This time can be used for 1 on 1 help throughout the course on an as needed basis. If you run out, you can purchase more time on an as needed basis.

There are several interactive elements to the videos. Students can click areas on the video to explore related websites referenced during instruction, there are "check-ins" (built in mini quizzes at the end of each instructional segment,) and the video-navigation area allows students to jump directly to the selected segment of the video. Probably the most important interactive component is where the teacher pauses the video and asks the students to work out a problem, make an observation, or gather some materials before continuing. This helps to keep the student engaged instead of being a passive learner.

For students, showing work is important for being able to figure out how a problem ended up being wrong. Since the assignment and test problems are worked out on the answer keys, this makes the diagnosing process simple. It also gives students an example of how work can be organized.

You get 12 months from the date of purchase in which to use the course. Alternatively, once the book is returned you will no longer have access to the course. Whichever comes first.

Course content is organized by unit (like chapters). In each unit there are lessons in which students watch videos, complete practice problems and do assignments. Parents may give their student access to all units/lessons at once. They might also restrict access to certain units (if they want the student to adequately pass one before moving on to the next), or they may open up each lesson as they see fit. The program is very customizable.

Gift Certificates can be purchased in $25, $50, or $100 denominations.

After purchasing a gift certificate, you will see your gift certificate balance displayed under your shopping cart. Underneath the balance just click "Send Gift Certificate". You will be taken to a form where you can specify how much and to whom you would like to send some or all of your gift certificate balance. You must be logged in to your account and have a positive gift certificate balance in order to do this.