For elementary students, software like Microsoft PowerPoint or its counterpart in the OpenOffice suite are accessible, and by the later grades of elementary school, they should be able to put together a research presentation on such subjects as a biography or an overview about a particular country. Incorporating pictures and clip art with text are reasonable expectations, while students headed to honors-level courses in middle school may already be able to incorporate video and audio files seamlessly.
For middle school students, websites like Prezi offer a more dynamic experience than slideshow applications, incorporating movement and the use of graphic organizers to combine visual interest with a clear outline.
Applications like Microsoft Word or the Write application in Open Office allow students to prepare their written work and email it to friends, parents and even their teachers and ask for feedback. By activating the ability to track changes, students can ask their volunteer editors to make changes on the word processing file then, when they get the files back, they can see which people recommended particular changes, as each editor is color-coded.
These are games that help students acquire learning in a more fun environment, to the point where children don't even know they're getting smarter. Websites like Review Game Zone and Quizlet take curriculum concepts and terms from state standards and turn them into games that students can use when preparing for assessments.
Websites like Achieve3000 allow students to continue learning at home. If your student's school district has purchased a license or if you want to purchase one for your struggling reader at home, your child can log in and work with interactive reading comprehension activities, take part in writing contests and learn about grade-level math and science concepts as well. The website grades multiple-choice responses and provides detailed reports concerning the specific objectives in which your child excels and in which more help is still necessary.