Letters: Homework time

Sir: Regarding your article on using computers for homework, I disagree with the accusation that it is "cheating" to copy information directly off multimedia encyclopaedias ( 24 June). In most homeworks the task set is to explain and analyse, not just research information on a given topic.

Multimedia encyclopaedias are used in almost the same way as printed encyclopaedias, ie, finding basic information, with a view to analysing it. This means that less time is spent on copying out pages from encyclopaedias, and more time is spent on the actual purpose of the homework, mainly analysing and explaining it.

DAVID HALL

(Aged 12 years)

Toton, Nottingham