Oct 17, 2007 4:39 pm US/Eastern
Hi-Tech Tools Ease Homework Headaches
by Paula Ebben
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Some hi-tech tools are giving both kids and parents some relief when it comes to homework.
Ninth-grader Kate Hargadon had a big project due, and she knew she needed her dad's help, but he was on the road for work.
"I thought we were going to have to do it online, do it over the phone, or in an email," she said.
Fortunately, Steve Hargadon knew something about file sharing.
"To have two people being able to edit the same document at the same time is a pretty spectacular thing, and it's really helpful, not only in homework, obviously," he said.
File sharing allows people to look at a document online at the same exact time. There are lots of companies offering the service -- some for free. It's nothing new to business, but now many families are finding it handy as a homework tool?
"They can do collaborative work on everything from papers and projects and math homework," said education consultant Dr. Don Knezek.
Experts say that while file sharing can be helpful, parents need to be careful not to use it as a way to actually do their child's homework.
"You might see parents doing too much of the work for the student, but I think there's more potential for good and for benefit there than there is for abuse and danger," Knezek said.
A growing number of schools are also finding this a good way to enhance communication.
"One of the things my wife has done is she's kept a homework log for my so son so that he has access to it," Steve Hargadon said. "They can look and see and make sure that he knows exactly what he's supposed to do for his class."
For the Hargadon family, file sharing actually is relieving stress.
"It's mostly just making life easier on parents and kids," Kate Hargadon said.
That's a game where everyone wins.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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