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"It's a wired world," the first chapter of this very inviting and complete book for middle graders and up says. The big question facing the electronic information producers -- and the buying public -- is whether we're getting wired for entertainment or for education. The Ultimate On-line Homework Helper takes the tack that learning can be "easier and better" with the aid of computers. Frankly it's hard not to agree after reading the book.
As a result of their previous, more-general book Kids On-Line, Pondiscio and Salzman received a lot of mail asking them how to find help for homework assignments in the great wide Internet world. This book answers those questions and much more. The authors also want to counteract the possible dangers "lurking in cyberspace" by showing kids the extent of educational resources available. These authors are gung-ho, but not misleading.
The Ultimate On-line Homework Helper covers the basics of getting connected to finding reference and research tools (with sample searches) before it moves on to explain e-mail and Web browsers, how to find help in individual subject areas, museums in cyberspace, and resources for online research (you know, like doing the term paper). Some kids will head straight for the last chapter -- "The Coolest Online Hangouts," with lots of online addresses and descriptions of services.
All that's good and valuable, but there's more. These authors know how to communicate with kids. They've found just the right balance between giving lots of information in a perky, kid-friendly tone; yet they also give counsel for making the Net a mannerly place as in the section "Road Rules and Netiquette," e.g., Do: Lurk before you leap (so you won't barge in on a conversation); Don't: Type in all CAPS (the same as shouting).
So turn your kids loose on their homework. They've got a computer helper now.
©1996, ProMotion, inc.