Microsoft will offer an updated version of its "Student" software that includes a few new features as well as the encyclopedia Encarta Premium 2007. Microsoft said that the new package addresses a recent Microsoft survey that found that 90% of teachers believe that access technology improves homework results, but 71% are concerned that "students are not finding what they need on the Internet."

As a more "technology-based" resource - in contrast to a search-engine based research on the Internet - Microsoft says that its Student with Encarta software provides "integrated tools and trusted information" that can be used from middle-school through entry-level college.

Besides the addition of Encarta, Student has received some enhancements with new math tools and tutorials as well as a "Step-by-Step Equation Solver", a new graphing calculator that can visualize and animate graphs in 2D and 3D; The language portion includes translation dictionaries, verb conjugations and links to Web sites that help with a variety of languages, including French, German and Spanish. A section with templates, tutorials and toolbars for students' homework assignments complements the software.

Microsoft Student with Encarta Premium 2007 DVD3 is expected to be on store shelves this month for about $70.