Live Tutoring, Homework Help, and Skill Building

Communicate with Tutors through Chat Window and Shared Whiteboard. Tutors are available Monday through Sunday from 1:00pm – 10:00pm PST.

• Homework Help: Students in grades 3-12 can submit a question in our online classroom and receive live, one-on-one assistance from a Brainfuse tutor. Subjects include English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies and Writing.
  
  
• Skill-Building: Our skill-building service helps students in grades 3-12 master a concept or skill through state-aligned online lessons, presented by Brainfuse tutors in one-on-one sessions. Subjects include English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies and Writing. Skill Building exercises have been designed for a variety of age groups and academic needs.
  
  
• 24-Hour Writing Lab: Our writing instructors help students become better writers by providing constructive feedback and other assistance within 24 hours of receiving a student’s submission.
  
  
• Test Center: Visit our online assessment library to take practice standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and more) and practice subject specific tests, like Math and Science. Get results instantly and, if you choose, share them with one of our tutors for a targeted skills building session.
  
  
• 24/7 Help Center: Students submit questions (and even attach supporting documents) via our online form and a tutor will respond to the student’s question within 24 hours.
  
  
• Foreign Language Lab: Students receive live online help with their foreign language homework from our fluent foreign language tutors. Spanish is the first language supported and we will update as additional languages and resources become available.
  
  
• Adult Education Center: Adults can receive live online help from our trained adult education specialists in areas such as U.S. Citizenship testing, GED testing, resume and cover letter writing, business letter writing, term paper writing, and core subject education (English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies and Writing). In addition the Microsoft Office Center is designed to help you learn how to better use Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point.
  
  
• Full Spanish Speaking Service: Spanish-speaking tutors are available for the same subjects and during the same time slots as our English-speaking tutors.

FAQs:

How Do I Access Brainfuse?
You can access Brainfuse from any computer connected to the Internet, including library terminals, a home computer or your laptop. You will need your Library card number and PIN to log in remotely. Click on the blue button “Click here to go to Brainfuse” to log in.

When you click on the button "Go to Brainfuse" you will be leaving the Santa Clara County Library website and directed to Brainfuse, a live, online tutoring company. This service is provided at no charge to Santa Clara County Library patrons. Please be aware that policies that apply to the Library and its website may not be the same as the terms of use for other websites. Technical requirements and services are the sole responsibility of Brainfuse. By proceeding you agree to accept and assume all risks and responsibilities for the losses and damages that may arise from your use of Brainfuse and release the Santa Clara County Library from all liability.

What Subjects Are Offered?
Live Tutoring, Homework Help and Skill Building is available for students in grades 3 – Adult Learners in the following subjects:

• Math, including Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus

• Science, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Science

• Social Studies, including US History, and World History

• English/Language Arts

1. Writing Assistance consists of three components:

1. Live writing assistance during the initial stages of the writing process to help students with organizational structure, idea trees, general conceptual hierarchy, etc.

2. State-aligned skills building exercises that challenge students to respond to a series of writing prompts and short exercises.

3. 24-Hour Writing Lab (described above)

2. Reading Comprehension/Grammar/Vocabulary Skills Building through one-on-one sessions that draw from our library of state-aligned reading passages and questions.

3. English Literature

• Foreign Languages

What is the difference between “Homework Help” and “Skill Building”?
As the name implies, when you need help with your homework, select “Homework Help.” If you need help with a specific academic skill, such as mastering long division or improving your reading comprehension, select “Skill Building” and you will be connected with one of our live tutors. Our skill building tutors utilize our library of state-aligned online materials in interactive skill building exercises.

Additional Homework Resources

• Search online copies of magazine, journal, newspaper, dictionary, and encyclopedia articles to find information about topics you are studying in school. The articles are available at the Student Resources page. Additional resources may be found on the Kids' page, the Teen page, and the Electronic Library 24/7 page.

• Librarians are always available to help you with your homework. Reference help is provided in person at the library, over the phone, and by email. Librarians can also assist you through online chat at any time, day or night. Click here to learn more.