Caught up in the world wide “web” instead of using educational websites for homework help? If Facebook interfering with your child’s homework and you find it impossible to pry the cell phone out of your teenager’s hand for five minutes, you’re likely not alone. With modern advancements in technology, staying connected to social networks is almost constant. No one can deny the usefulness of tools like cell phones with data that can be accessed from anywhere, texting to quickly communicate, or social media as a way to stay current with more friends than one could possibly spend time with on a daily basis.
Young people today take advantage of these tools, but it comes with a price. Being constantly preoccupied with electronic devices can be just distracting enough to impair a student’s ability to learn properly and be able to apply what they are learning.
How can parents help their children be free from the distractions on the world wide web?
During homework time cell phones should be off limits. Even adults could benefit from turning off their cell phone when it’s time to work. It is hard to limit what websites are being visited while using the internet for studying. Make it a rule that only websites that are relevant to the specific task your child is working on can be visited. Clearly communicate which websites are off limits during homework time. No Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or other entertainment websites.
The web is a fantastic tool, as long as it is used properly. Here are some top educational websites that you should encourage your child to use during homework time.
Educational websites for doing research:
When it’s time to do a research project there is no longer the need to lug home a heavy bag of history books from the library. Today most things you need to know are on the Internet. It is helpful if you know what sites to go to in order to find the most pertinent and useful information. Wikipedia is an excellent source for looking up just about anything. Such a wide variety of research has never been so easily accessible in one place.
Math homework help websites:
Math.com provides homework help for Pre Algebra, Algebra and Geometry as well as math practice for basic math skills. Students can click on the subject they are currently learning about and find a step by step explanation of how to understand each mathematical concept.
Translation websites for help with school work:
For students who are learning a new language or if English is not their first language, sometimes there is the need to translate a webpage or portions of a textbook that are difficult to understand. Looking up words in a foreign language can be a daunting task as well, but now it is easier than ever with online translation websites. There are plenty of free translation tools on the web such as Google Translate or SDL Free Translation.
Search engines for homework help:
Search engines can be used to look up all sorts of random things, and should not be used for looking up anything other than the homework help material during homework time. Basic search engines like Google, Bing, Yahoo etc. are great for asking questions about any subject. Parents should help their child choose the websites that look the most promising based on the snippets shown on the search engine page. Parents and tutors alike can help their child use some discernment to identify sites that are trying to sell something, versus sites that have genuinely useful information about the subject at hand.
