CAROL DREBIN

Technology is a big part of family life in the Drebin home in Orangevale, California. It even has a place in the dining room with Carol, a single mom and corporate communications writer, and her two sons, Zachary, 14, and Jeremy, 12.

"We can access the computer right in the dining room if someone has a question while we're eating," says Drebin, adding, "I'm sure people think it's a little weird. Kids can have access to a computer, but if it's tucked away in a bedroom someplace, it won't get used."

The computer's central location symbolizes the role it has played in the boys' education. For Zachary, it was invaluable in helping him become a good student. He's had to deal with problems in visual perception, hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

"Just learning to type has drastically reduced the time it once took him to do homework," Drebin says. "Junior high school is a time of intensive research and reporting assignments, and his ability to go on the Internet and find information made it easier to complete assignments and get As."

Drebin encouraged Jeremy to use the computer to help with problems in spelling and reading. He studied words by first typing them into the computer, then enlarging and printing them out. And he has found CD-ROMs to be an information source friendlier than books. "In using it, he's become quite a good reader," Drebin notes.

"Giving your children easy access to information can do wonders for their academic life," says Drebin. "If there is one thing a parent could do, with or without a computer," she continues, "it is to give children a sense of the importance of research. Both of my boys understand that there is value in being curious. That certainly helps them learn."