[gabelschlager]

I think real research in this regard is still rare. For one, because not many software solutions exists. But more importantly, performing research studies in schools tend to be difficult (as parents, teachers, the school, etc. have to agree to it).

One recent approach in Germany, I'm aware of, was teaching students with an online text book, that immediately offered feedback for exercises and provided other helpful tips. The software was used to enhance the traditional teaching, not to replace it.

All in all, students using it tended to perform better on exams, no matter how smart they previously were (though bad students were still worse than the good students using the software).

So all in all, it seems to be a viable approach.