Students Find Remedy For Homework Headaches

Like many teenagers, eighth-grader Jason Orchant is glued to his computer. But he wasn't always sure where to access the right assistance for his homework assignments. Then he discovered a software package that helped him find relevant content.

The majority of students today are using the PC for homework and research (according to JupiterResearch, U.S. Online Teen Media Consumer Survey, 2005). But even with an abundance of information and technology at their disposal, it can be difficult for students to find the tools they need for their specific assignments. In an independent survey recently commissioned by Microsoft Corp., teachers (71 percent) and parents (56 percent) agree that students don't always find the homework help they need on the Internet. Seeking A Solution To The Problem Like many teenagers, eighth-grader Jason Orchant is glued to his computer. But he wasn't always sure where to access the right assistance for his homework assignments. He was often overwhelmed by the amount of information and resources he found on the Web. He also wasted a lot of time deciphering which tools were credible, which information was relevant and which resources were helpful to his specific needs as a middle-school student. Jason's father, Marc, noticed this frustration. He knew the computer helped his son with homework but wondered if the process could be easier for Jason. Marc discovered Microsoft Student, a software package full of tools to help kids complete their homework. Marc thought it might be able to help his son with his homework woes by providing trusted, relevant content and streamlining the resources at his disposal. The Grades Are In After a semester of using Microsoft Student for his homework, Jason found he was able to complete his assignments more efficiently and with less stress. The Graphing Calculator, Chart Maker and Online Math Homework Help offered him assistance with his difficult math assignments. The Encarta encyclopedia made it easy to conduct research and compile credible information for a history project on Rhode Island. Jason also loved the student-based templates and tutorials for Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint. There's no doubt that technology can help students succeed academically. In fact, nearly nine out of 10 teachers believe that students who use technology do better on their homework, according to the independent survey commissioned by Microsoft. Rather than being left to the wilds of the Internet, students can use the tools available to get more out of the computer for their assignments.