It took me a while to get this program installed because I’ve been busy with the holidays and for some reason it had trouble finding the page when I used Firefox, but it worked in Internet Explorer. Go figure! I’m not a computer genius, but I finally got it installed.

My husband said it was a HUGE file which to me translates TONS of information! I’ve played around with the Math section and though I have no clue about math nowadays, the program seems simple enough with a “Math tool box” which contains categories like the Equation Solver, Formulas and Equations, Triangle Solver and Unit Conversion Tool. Just click on a category and everything you need to solve your problem is there. Though Parents BEWARE. I can definitely see this as a homework DOER not just as a HELPER. When I played with it in front of Chris, my 7th grader, he reprimanded me for CHEATING by finding the answer to a made up equation.

Math isn’t the only thing Microsoft Student has. It’s contains all the subjects your children study in school like science, history, geography, languages, writing and a place for fun learning. Though it seems geared for junior high and high school, my 5th grader looked up the explorers he’s been studying at school and they were there all nicely packaged with photos and links to other information.

Chris especially liked the 3D tour of an ancient tomb and castle. If it wasn’t bed time he would have “played” on the computer a little longer. I can see Joey, my 5th grader, using this just for fun! He’s my little sponge. He can never get enough information and I can’t seem to keep him supplied with the answers. The next time he asks a question I will feel great about telling him to look it up online. Microsoft Student makes it easy and fun with all the subjects and information at a glance.

I even found some fun games my kindergartener and second grader can use. I tried to assemble an insect and got it wrong. I’ll have to ask my little ones to help me next time!

My children haven’t had to spend a whole lot of time on line searching for information, but this will definitely help them when they do. Last time my son was looking for information on someone in history several links popped up that were not appropriate for him to see, including a photo! The guy he was looking up seemed to have the same name as someone in recent news. With the Microsoft student software and Encarta Online Encyclopedia, I won’t have to worry about my children stumbling upon things they shouldn’t when they’re using the Internet for school.

Here are what others are saying!

“As our teens trek home with increasingly heavy homework loads, we sometimes feel helpless as they tackle advanced assignments late into the night. After sports, school, or music practice, junior high and high school homework can be a daunting task, and we parents cannot always be a dependable resource (I can’t remember the last time I had to do algebra!). For your teens, Microsoft Student offers a perfect solution to this parental dilemma.”

As Mom Expert Rachel Hamman has said, “If only a tool like this existed when I was in school! Microsoft Student is an amazing homework aid, which sets itself apart from anything out there. It provides my daughter with tutorials on math, science and foreign languages. If you are like me, it’s been a few years since you’ve done quadratic equations or solved for “x” and this product fills in when your own knowledge is not adequate. The program also provides templates for creating comprehensive presentations. Microsoft Student utilizes Encarta Online Encyclopedia, which has links to 25,000 prescreened, age-appropriate websites, where I can rest assured that I’m getting factual and accurate information. Microsoft Student has allowed my daughter to spend less time seeking for information and enables her to spend more time learning!”

We’ve only started using it at our home, but I have a feeling the boys will be fighting over using it. In fact, this would have been awesome to have while homeschooling! So all you homeschoolers out there, go and check it out. But remember to use Internet Explorer if the link comes up wrong when you click on the Microsoft Student with Encarta link!

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