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General Information

  • What is a LIVE session like?
    Please refer to the "What is a LIVE session like?" slide on the Home page.
  • Can I "try before I buy"?
    Yes! New customers are eligible for the following.


    Demo of a LIVE Session: Participate in an interactive demonstration of what a LIVE session is like. This is very informative for new customers.

    2-Week Trial of a LIVE Class: Attend LIVE sessions and have access to the My Classes system to get a feel for the class.

    FREE 1/2 hr. Tutoring Session: See how 1 on 1 tutoring can help your student via this "No-Strings-Attached" tutoring session.

    2-Week Video-Based Course Trial: Get access to selected Algebra, Pre-Algebra and Pre-Pre-Algebra videos and check out the online interface.
  • Where can I get information about the teacher?
    Information about the teacher can be found on the About page.
  • What are the benefits of online learning?
    There are several benefits to learning online. Convenience and saving money tend to be toward the top of the list. Not having to drive to a class regularly during the week saves time and money, and alleviates scheduling nightmares. Recorded sessions also allow a level of convenience that is not found in any traditional learning environment. Also, online learning tends to be lower in cost than traditional learning situations due to lower overhead.

    Other reasons include increasing students’ technological proficiency, interacting with students in other areas of the nation (or even the world), and preparing students for distance learning opportunities in the future. One additional consideration is that, in a traditional classroom, negative social factors can effect a student’s learning. In the online format, there are no social pressures, no cliques or need to look "cool", and no other distractions common to the traditional classroom.

    Finally, several colleges and universities now offer online learning opportunities as technology improves. Feel free to read about the effects of live online learning.
  • What about online safety?
    All sessions are private. This means that the only people who are allowed to attend, have been invited by the instructor. Only registered students and their parents would have access to a session. Occasionally, a prospective student may be invited to sit in on a class session or watch a recorded session for promotional purposes.
  • How is LIVE Online Math better than other online learning options?
    LIVE sessions allow for regular interaction with a live teacher. During a session, audio, video, chat, and an interactive whiteboard are used in order to teach students math. This level of interaction with the teacher and other students is not offered by most online learning providers. Of course, all instruction provided by LIVE Online Math is of the highest quality.

    LIVE Online Math has something for everyone. Classes allow parents to outsource the teaching of math and students to participate in a stimulating group learning environment. Students who prefer to work at their own pace will benefit from working through a video-based course. These courses can also be complemented by LIVE session time. Workshops are the perfect fit if you’re looking for short-term help with a specific concept. Finally, 1 on 1 tutoring can meet any unique need. Be it homework help, introducing new content, or providing accountability... tutoring can get the job done.

    It is the "LIVE" part that separates LIVE Online Math from competitors. Students are actively engaged during LIVE sessions through regular teacher-student interaction. Also, students are able to talk through and see a problem with a live teacher helping at each step along the way. Finally, using traditional tests and quizzes coupled with informal observations of student performance, gives the teacher a better sense of student progress. This could not be achieved without the high degree of interactivity that LIVE Online Math offers.

Requirements

  • What are the technological requirements for using the services?
    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.
  • Does it work on a Mac?
    Yes. All LIVE Online Math services work on Windows, Mac or Linux operating systems.
  • Do I have to download anything?
    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.)

Account/Payment

  • What's the difference between "My Account" and "My Classes"?
    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.
  • What forms of payment are accepted?
    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.

Classes

  • How do I know which class best fits my child?
    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.
  • Is there a trial period in which I can try out the online format of learning without charge?
    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.
  • What if there are going to be scheduling conflicts and my son/daughter won’t be able to attend a class session?
    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!
  • When do classes start/end for 2010-2011?
    Start of Classes: September 8, 2010
    End of Classes: June 10, 2011
    Calendar: 2010-2011 Detailed Calendar
  • How often do the classes meet?
    Classes meet three times per week for 1 hr. sessions. Specific schedules vary by class. Please select a specific class for class-specific details.
  • Is the teaching philosophy more in the Traditional or Constructivist approach?
    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.
  • Can I register for classes after they’ve already started?
    Most of the time, yes. However, to find out for sure, please contact the teacher.
  • What can I do/see in the My Classes system?
    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.
  • What textbooks are used?
    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.
  • Is there homework?
    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.
  • Are there tests/quizzes?
    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.
  • What things are corrected?
    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.
  • How are paper/pencil tests turned in and handed back in the online format?
    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.
  • How is student progress communicated? Grades?
    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.
  • How involved can/should the parents be?
    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.
  • What if my child needs help outside of class time?
    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

  • What is a math workshop?
    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.
  • How much do they cost?
    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.

Tutoring

  • How much does 1 on 1 tutoring cost?
    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.
  • How can the time I purchase be used?
    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.
  • How can I see how much tutoring time I have left and/or view tutoring comments?
    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.
  • How do the tutoring comments work?
    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.
  • What are the benefits of online tutoring?
    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.
  • What if I have something I need the tutor to see (diagrams, worksheets, etc.)?
    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.

Video-Based Courses

  • What are some features of video-based courses?
    Features are listed on the video-based courses page.
  • How can LIVE session time complement the video-based course I sign up for?
    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.
  • What kinds of interactive elements can be present in the videos?
    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.
  • Why is it important that the work is shown on all assignment and test answer keys?
    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.
  • How long do I get access to the course?
    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.
  • How can I control the pace of learning?
    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

  • In what denominations can I buy gift certificates?
    Gift Certificates can be purchased in $25, $50, or $100 denominations.
  • How do I send gift certificates to other people?
    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.
 



 
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