My kids do not, fortunately, carry home much work from school. I think the internet is a real god - send. My older kid, now 10 +, is fairly independent as far as homework and stuff goes. She however still needs help with school projects and the like. We do not as yet allow our children unsupervised access to the net.
Google as a search engine is amazing... even hunting for clipart / pictures in their images search. Familiarity with any one draw program like Corel helps, since there’s a lot one can do there.
There are an amazing number of resources available on the net for children. Right from math programs to science worksheets to short movies, and of course resources to help them pursue their hobbies as well.
My younger child, still in pre school, is only now gradually taking to reading and books. He has had an unbridled affinity for the computer since the age of 18 months and has profited hugely from the edutainment programs available today.
Busy parents that we are, I really do not know how we would have managed without the computer / internet. We’ve had no formal computer education.. we’ve learnt everything hands - on!!
I would strongly recommend the computer and a good internet connection to all parents involved in teaching their kids or helping them with homework.