Can your child learn on the Net?

Computers are just for post-homework fun, aren't they? It's all about loading that CD-ROM, and spending hours indulging in brainless games and inflating the phone bill, dipping in and out of chat rooms.

Not So! The Net is fast becoming the leading edge of learning. More up-to-date than encyclopaedias and in many cases up-to-speed with the National Curriculum, the Net is a bright, exciting forum for children to discover facts and find valuable information for projects and course work. With science sites including www.allexperts.com and www.newton.dep.anl.gov/aasquest.htm, every conceivable enquiry can receive an intelligent and informed answer. History students can fill out a thin thesis too with information from www.thehistorychannel.co.uk, and the Natural History Museum site at www.nhm.ac.uk is almost as much fun as visiting the place, without the queues.

Still not convinced? We set the GWG Challenge.
The Task?
To find out information about the geography of Brazil.

First stop: www.encarta.com, an American site which is free, lively, clear to follow and packed full of information. By simply selecting Atlas, it then provided a world map, and so long as you know which continent you are looking for, you are away.

The information, ideal for secondary age-group projects, is easy to whittle down, with subjects split into an introduction, natural geography and seven political and social article topics. An index panel includes eight related website addresses (including Bazil.com which sounds ambitious) and related items, news and updates. Very keen students can include what's in today's Brazilian newspapers.

Information still to fill in? next stop www.britannica.com, a slow loading site, but none the less comprehensive. (I was even asked if I meant ‘brasil nut'). By simply clicking on World and Travel and searching the country I wanted, there was a list of detailed featured on every aspect of Brazil you could ever hope to want. Next it's the travel sites, to find out how to get there.

Other sites to check out:
www.bbc.co.uk/education
www.freecampus.co.uk
www.schoolsnet.com
www.homeworkhigh.com
www.kevinsplayroom.co.uk