HelpNow FAQs
What is HelpNow?
HelpNow is a comprehensive suite of online academic services designed to support many learning needs and styles. HelpNow provides unique services for each of the three main sources of learning -- expert instruction, peer-to-peer collaboration, and self-study.
What services does HelpNow offer?
HelpNow offers services within each main learning category: expert help, self-study, and collaborative tools.
EXPERT HELP SERVICES
  • Homework Help: Enter our online classroom and receive live, online homework help from a Brainfuse tutor.
  • Skills-Building: Our skills building service helps you master an academic concept through expert tutoring and state-aligned online lessons, HelpNow Skills Building has been designed for a variety of age groups and academic needs.
  • 24/7 Help Center: Submit a homework question and a tutor will provide you with a response (usually within 24 hours).
  • Foreign Language Lab: Our Foreign Language Center provides expert homework assistance and support for students who are learning a foreign language. Expert tutoring is currently offered for Spanish, and a host of helpful online resources for learning other languages is forthcoming.
  • Writing Lab: HelpNow offers two types of writing assistance:
    • Live Writing Assistance: Connect with an online tutor for expert writing assistance with our live help feature. Live help is particularly helpful during the initial stages of the writing process when you are working on the organizational and thematic features of your paper.
    • Intensive Writing Lab: For a more thorough analysis, simply select “Writing Lab” from the launch menu and submit your writing via our secure messaging feature. Within approximately 24 hours of submitting your paper, you will receive a detailed analysis of your paper in your message center inbox. Our writing experts are trained to focus their analysis on voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and organization.
STUDY TOOLS
  • Test Center: Visit our online assessment library to take practice standardized tests (SAT, ACT, GED and more) and practice subject specific tests, like math and science. Get results instantly and, if you choose, share your results with one of our tutors for a targeted skills building session.
  • Flashbulb -- Mobile friendly flashcards: Enjoy 24/7 access to an extensive library of online flashcard sets in hundreds of subjects. You can also create your own flashcards and multiple choice quizzes for efficient self-study on both computers and mobile devices.
COLLABORATIVE TOOLS
  • MEET: Study with friends online with MEET. MEET lets you easily schedule online meetings with your friends in the Brainfuse classroom. Use MEET to study for tests, work on homework assignments, or collaborate on projects.
  • Brainwave: Brainwave is a breakthrough tool that allows you to record a movie of your activity on the Brainfuse whiteboard. Create brainwaves for note-taking purposes or send them when an ordinary email isn't enough. Brainwave is ideal for recording solutions to homework problems, class projects, or any other concepts that involve motion or sequencing. Create a Brainwave or search our Brainwave archive by keyword. Check back often as new Brainwaves are continuously added to the archive.
What services are available for adult learners?
Our Adult Learning Center provides comprehensive academic support from trained adult education specialists in areas such as US Citizenship testing, resume and cover letter assistance, and core skills building.
When can I access HelpNow?
Please contact your institution to find out the exact hours that HelpNow is available.
How do I access HelpNow?
If your library subscribes to HelpNow, you can access it from virtually any computer with Internet access, including a library terminal, a home computer, or your notebook connected to the Internet at your local coffee shop. All you need is your library card number.
Who are my tutors?
HelpNow tutors are trained and certified by Brainfuse. All tutors have been cleared with thorough background and reference checks, must possess a four-year degree, and have prior teaching/tutoring experience. All tutors are US-based.
What subjects are offered?
HelpNow is available for K-Adult Learners in the following general 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
  • Writing Assistance
  • Reading Comprehension/Grammar/Vocabulary Skills Building
  • English Literature
  • Spanish Language Help