FAQs For Parents & Students

Dakota Dream’s tutors provide tutoring through our technology partner, Pearl, a virtual tutoring platform. Tutoring sessions take place in the Pearl Online Classroom - check out this introduction video to see what to expect: (Pearl Online Classroom Introduction: youtube.com/watch?v=e761cwCojbY)

On Demand tutoring is a live, first come, first serve tutoring service. Students can receive immediate homework assistance by:

1. Logging into their account at dakotadreams.tutorwithpearl.com
   
2. Look under “10 Minute Live Tutoring Now” for subjects available for immediate help
   
3. Click on the subject
   
4. Click “Start 10 Minute Session” and you will be taken to the virtual waiting room
   
5. When your instructor enters the virtual classroom, the session will begin

If you don’t see the subject you need help with, it means that an instructor who can help with that subject is not currently available. You can schedule a session ahead of time to ensure availability. Here is how:

1. Click “Instructor” on the left navigation bar
   
2. Filter for the subject you need help with. Note: If you are an advanced student and need help with a subject in grade level(s) above your current grade, you should also filter for that grade. The filter should allow you to find instructors that can tutor you in the subject you need help with. Now, click on their name to learn more about the instructor.
   
3. Once you’ve identified the instructor you want to meet with, click “Booking” on the left navigation bar to open the booking form
   
4. Complete the form to request a session
   
5. Wait for the instructor to approve your session request

1. Login to your or your child’s account at dakotadreams.tutorwithpearl.com
   
2. Under “Upcoming Sessions” you will see a green “Join” button up to 15 minutes before the session start time
   
3. Click the button to enter the “waiting room” of your virtual session. When your instructor arrives, you will enter the virtual classroom and meet your instructor.
   

Register for the program on the Our Dakota Dreams website. If you’ve already registered, sign into your account for virtual pre-scheduled or On Demand tutoring sessions.

Submit a help ticket with the platform! Here’s how:

1. Hover over your name at the top right corner of your dashboard. A drop-down menu will appear.
   
2. Click “Help” and complete the form. Please ensure you provide as many details as possible, such as the name of the student and the problem you are encountering.

1. Navigate to your profile by hovering over your name at the top right
   
2. Click “Profile” to open the profile page
   
3. Under the “Email Address” field, update with your new email address
   
4. Click save

1. Visit dakotadreams.tutorwithpearl.com
   
2. Under the “Login” button, click “Forgot my password”
   
3. Enter the email address for your account
   
4. Click “Reset your password”
   
5. Check your email for the reset password email

If you are seeing a different time than what you scheduled, please check that your time zone is set correctly.

1. Navigate to your profile by hovering over your name at the top right corner of the screen
   
2. Click “Profile” to open the profile page
   
3. Search for the “Time Zone” field
   
4. If you see that it is not set to your time zone, update to the correct time zone
   
5. After you’re done, click save

You will receive the following email notifications about your session:

1. Notification that your requested session was accepted by the tutor
   
2. 24 hour reminder before your session is scheduled to take place
   
3. 1 hour reminder before your session is scheduled to take place
   
   

If you want text notifications, please visit your profile by hovering your name at the top right corner of the screen and adding your phone number to your account.

1. Login to your account at dakotadreams.tutorwithpearl.com
   
2. Click “Book Ahead” on your dashboard or “Instructors” on the left navigation bar
   
3. On this page, you can filter for the right instructor you need based on grades and subjects they can teach, and their availability. To learn more about the instructor, click on their name to open their profile.
   
4. Once you identify the instructor you want, use “Booking” on the left side to request a session with them. The instructor will have to approve your session request to finalize the booking.
   
5. Once the instructor accepts your request, you will receive a confirmation email

Please note: In the rare event that an instructor is unable to join your scheduled session after they have approved it (i.e., due to an emergency), Dakota Dreams will do their best to substitute another eligible instructor for your session.

1. Before your session start time, login to your or your child’s account at dakotadreams.tutorwithpearl.com.
   
2. Under “Upcoming Sessions” you will see a green “Join” button up to 15 minutes before the session start time
   
3. Click the button to enter the “waiting room” of your virtual session. When your instructor also arrives, you will enter the virtual classroom and meet your instructor.

If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, please message your instructor to arrange this.

No, you cannot use your phone for tutoring sessions at this time. Neither Android or Apple mobile phones are supported and present a challenge to tutoring, resulting in a poor experience. For the best virtual tutoring experience, join from a computer or laptop with reliable internet connection.
For more information, check out this article from our virtual tutoring platform.

Due to limited capabilities, tablets are not recommended. Newer iPads can provide an acceptable experience for students (however may provide limited support (i.e., students would not be able to screen share, receive screen sharing) and Android tablets are incompatible.
For more information, check out this article from our virtual tutoring platform.

Students can join virtual sessions using a laptop (including Chromebook) or computer desktop. All modern operating systems within the last 5 years are supported. Other operating systems may work, provided they are able to browse the modern web. We recommend:

• Windows 10, 11 and higher
• MacOS 10.12 Sierra and higher
• Chrome OS
• Linux

For more information, this article from our virtual tutoring platform.

If your student is experiencing difficulties with the virtual session, please make sure that your student is set up for optimal performance. Make sure that your student is accessing their session with a laptop/desktop computer, up-to-date browser (Chrome is recommended), and has stable internet connection. Experiencing other problems? Submit a help ticket:

1. Hover over your name at the top right of your dashboard. A drop-down menu will appear.
   
2. Click “Help” and complete the form. Please ensure you provide as many details as possible, such as the name of the student and the problem you are encountering.

For more information, check out this article from our virtual tutoring platform.

Tutors will not wait any longer than 10 minutes for students to join a scheduled tutoring session.

This program supports K-12 students in four core subjects:

• English/Language Arts
  
• Mathematics
  
• Science
  
• Social Studies

Think about what you want help with!

Students can practice their reading skills with their tutors, get tested on spelling words or prepare for other tests, or solve math problems together. Bring worksheets to your session and screen share so students and tutors can work on problems together.
What needs to be done/completed for a successful session:

• You’re registered for Dakota Dreams
  
• You’ve logged into the online tutoring platform (Pearl)
  
• You’ve verified that your time zone is setup accurately on the online tutoring platform (Pearl) via profile page
  
• You know how to request a session
  
• You’ve checked out the instructors page to learn about Dakota Dreams’ tutors
  
• You are using the right technology to join your session:
  
• You are using a laptop/desktop
  
• You are connected to stable internet
  
• You are using Chrome and it is up-to-date
  
• For more specific technical specifications, check out this article.