In this episode, Meryl van der Merwe talks with Matt Dalio, founder of Endless Studios, about why game creation—not just game playing—can equip teens with powerful, real-world skills for future careers.

Matt shares:

How early experiences living in China and working with orphans shaped his desire to create worldwide access to digital skills.

Why technological literacy today is lower than literacy in the Dark Ages, and why that must change.

His belief that millions of young people can gain job-ready technical skills through creating games.

Uses real professional tools such as Unity, Unreal, Godot, Blender, and GitHub.

Teaches computational thinking, teamwork, project management, design, and coding.

Mirrors real-world workflows used in startups and tech companies.

Allows kids to shift from consumers to creators.

All of these are free to download:

EndStar
Endless Studios’ tool built on Unity, designed to take students from Minecraft-level skills to professional-level game engine skills. It includes wiring systems, logic blocks, and gradual scaffolding into real scripting.

Godot
An open-source engine that runs well on low-end computers. Endless Studios is building scaffolding tools on top of it, including block coding and collaborative editing features.

Roblox Studio
Ideal for kids already using Roblox. Uses Lua scripting and has a large online community.

Scratch
A simple entry-level environment that helps absolute beginners understand basic logic and design principles.

Matt also recommends courses on Udemy, Coursera, and similar platforms for structured learning. Many students, like past podcast guest Matthew, have taught themselves professional-level skills using these resources.

Matt emphasizes that students learn best through collaboration. Platforms like GitHub allow students to contribute to real-world projects, receive mentorship, and learn modern software development workflows. This form of apprenticeship is one of the most effective and scalable ways to build proficiency.

You do not need to know anything about game design to support your child.

Game creation teaches real workforce skills, even for students who never plan to work in gaming.

Encourage your students to shift from playing games to building them.

The motivation and joy that come from creating something they love are powerful teaching tools.

Matt welcomes interest from parents.  Email: [email protected]

Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattdalio/

Endless Studios: https://endlessstudios.com

EndStar: Free download from Endless Studios

Godot Game Engine: https://godotengine.org

Roblox Studio: https://create.roblox.com

Scratch: https://scratch.mit.edu

Udemy: https://udemy.com

Coursera: https://coursera.org

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post Learning Real-World Skills Through Game Creation appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

We explore the alarming rise of AI companion usage among teenagers and the serious risks these tools pose. While AI can be incredibly useful for education and productivity, AI companions designed to fulfill emotional and social roles present unique dangers that most parents are unaware of.

Chatbots are designed to serve roles traditionally filled by friends, family, or mental health professionals. Key platforms discussed include Character.AI, Grok (on X/Twitter), and general LLMs like ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and Gemini.

Find activities where your child can make friends: robotics teams, Science Olympiad, chess clubs, gaming cafes, anime clubs, or start your own interest-based group.

Understanding how AI works helps teens use it responsibly. Very few students receive formal AI training, yet those who do find it extremely helpful.

Recent policy changes from Character.AI, ChatGPT/OpenAI, and Grok regarding minor safety and content restrictions.

Self-paced AI Unit Study (Grades 6–12)

Semester-long AI Class for High School Credit

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post AI Companions: The Hidden Danger for Teens appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Host Meryl van der Merwe chats with teen guest, Mishe Breetzke, about how she learned to manage her time more effectively using technology. Mishe, a homeschooled student from South Africa, who is in Meryl’s online Computer Applications class, shares how she realized that feeling “too busy” often came down to poor time management, not too much work.

Mishe explains how she uses the TimeTune app (Android) to plan her days, balance school and hobbies, and reduce stress. She discusses features she loves—like notifications and templates—and what she wishes the app had. Together, she and Meryl also explore other scheduling tools like Todoist, Google Calendar, and analog options such as bullet journaling or spreadsheets.

Listeners will hear:

How teens can recognize and fix time management problems

Why homeschoolers especially benefit from structured schedules

How to build habits gradually without feeling overwhelmed

The importance of remembering you control your schedule—not the other way around

If you have a teen struggling with organization or productivity, this episode is full of practical, relatable insights directly from a student who figured it out herself.

Links Mentioned:

TimeTune App (Android)

Todoist

Google Calendar

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post How a Teen Uses Tech to Master Time Management appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Host Meryl van der Merwe talks with Morgan Bergstrom, creator of the BaseCampEd app, a new tool designed to help homeschool families build community and connection.

Morgan shares how her own homeschooling journey and frequent military moves inspired her to create a platform that makes it easier for homeschoolers to find and connect with local families. She explains how the app works, the importance of privacy and simplicity in its design, and the growing features that make it a one-stop resource for homeschool parents and educators.

Topics covered include:

Morgan’s homeschooling story and the inspiration behind BaseCampEd

How the app helps homeschoolers find nearby families and teachers

Why privacy and user control were key priorities

The growing role of small, intentional homeschool groups

Future plans for the platform, including business listings and desktop access

How homeschoolers can support and expand the app’s reach

If you’re looking for new ways to connect with other homeschooling families or find resources in your area, this episode will give you a great overview of how BaseCampEd can help.

Learn more and download the app at: https://www.basecamped.com

Connect with Morgan:
Instagram & Facebook

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post BaseCampEd: Building Community and Connection for Homeschoolers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In this episode, Meryl is joined once again by Critical Thinking in the Digital Age instructor Stephanie Simoes to explore how AI is impacting students’ ability to think deeply and critically. The two discuss an MIT study that sparked widespread concern, the concept of cognitive offloading, and how parents can teach their teens to use AI responsibly without losing their own reasoning skills.

What the “Your Brain on ChatGPT” study actually found—and why it’s been misunderstood

What cognitive offloading means and when it’s useful vs. harmful

 The critical thinking and fact-checking skills students need before using AI tools

How expertise and intellectual humility affect our ability to evaluate AI responses

 Recognizing bias—both in AI training data and in our own prompts

 Strategies to overcome confirmation bias when using ChatGPT

How to use AI to strengthen critical thinking through debate and challenge-based prompts

Stephanie’s blog post on AI & Critical Thinking 

Her interview with an AI expert on bias in training data

Dr. Kiran Garimella’s article: Is AI Creating Incompetent Experts?

MagicSchool.AI – a tool for supervised AI learning environments

FundaFunda Academy’s AI and Critical Thinking courses

Self-paced AI Unit Study (Grades 6–12)

Semester-long AI Class for High School Credit

Critical Thinking in the Digital Age (self-paced, ½ credit)

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post AI and Critical Thinking appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In this special birthday edition of Homeschooling with Technology, Meryl Van der Merwe looks back at the five most downloaded episodes of all time! This episode is part of the 12 Days of Homeschool Gold celebration for the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network’s birthday — complete with giveaways, bonus mini-episodes, a treasure hunt, and a basket full of freebies and discounts. Visit UltimateRadioShow.com/birthday before October 18th to join in!

#5 – How to Use Movies in Your Homeschool (Ep. 187)
Originally co-hosted with Meryl’s oldest daughter, this episode explores how films can enhance homeschool learning.
New additions:

Shackleton – History, leadership, and perseverance

March of the Penguins – Ecology and Antarctica

October Sky – Inspiration and STEM

Hidden Figures – Math, science, and history

The Hundred-Foot Journey – Geography and cultural studies

#4 – Apps for High School Students (Ep. 189)
Guest: Natalie Vaughn, former homeschooler and FundaFunda student.
She shared the apps that helped her succeed in high school and win scholarships.
Meryl’s AI-era updates:

ChatGPT & Gemini – Guided learning and concept explanations

NotebookLM – AI-assisted study aid and self-quizzing tool

#3 – Creating an AI Policy for Your Homeschool (Ep. 334)
A recent favorite
Learn how to:

Create clear rules for AI use in your homeschool

Teach students ethical and productive AI use

Balance learning with technology

#2 – Online Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Games (Ep. 185)
Explore educational interactive fiction and decision-based learning tools.
New ideas:

Mission US Series – Immersive American history games

ChatGPT Interactive Adventures – Create your own story-based learning games!
Example: A “Dolphin Adventure” story that unfolds through 10 interactive choices.

#1 – Free Online Vocabulary Games (Ep. 70)
The all-time favorite! Fun and free vocabulary-building tools for all ages.
Updated links and recommendations:

Words.com – Successor to Spelling.com

Knoword.com – Multiple levels from Junior to Expert

Vocabulary.com – Customizable vocab lists

Merriam-Webster Vocabulary Quiz – 10-question challenges

FreeRice.com – Play for a cause!

Flippity.net – Make your own vocab games with Google Sheets

Don’t miss the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network’s 12th Birthday Celebration!
Visit UltimateRadioShow.com/birthday
Ends October 18th — grab your freebies and prizes while they last!

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post Listener Favorites: Our Top 5 Most-Downloaded Episodes Revisited appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In this special birthday episode, to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network, here are 12 homeschool tech hacks that will make your homeschool more efficient, engaging, and fun!

Bonus: Celebrate the 12th Birthday of the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network with giveaways, bonus mini-episodes, a treasure hunt, and a gift basket full of freebies and discounts!
Visit UltimateRadioShow.com/birthday

 Download the 12th Birthday Treasure Chest!
We’re celebrating 12 years of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network with a gift just for you! Download our Podcast Gold Treasure Chest — a free bundle filled with homeschool resources, printables, and special offers from our incredible partners. Plus, when you download, you’re automatically entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card! 

No purchase necessary — this is a free resource made possible by our generous sponsors: Media Angels, True North Academy, CTC Math, Math Mammoth, BaseCampEd, Powerline Productions, Funda Funda Academy, Raising Real Men, 7 Sisters Homeschool, and Galaxy Grammar Books.

 Download your Treasure Chest now!

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Voice-to-Text Note Taking – Speed up writing projects and help struggling writers.

Shared Digital Planners – Organize assignments and family schedules with Google Calendar or Trello.

AI as a Study Buddy – Use NotebookLM, ChatGPT, or Gemini for custom quizzes and explanations.

Digital Library Tools – Unlock free eBooks, audiobooks, and online classes through your local library.

Custom YouTube Playlists – Keep kids safe online with curated video collections using Padlet, Wavelet, or Google Slides.

Canva for Learning – Teach graphic design and visual communication through posters, infographics, and comics.

Creative Alternatives to Reports – Replace essays with videos, animations, or interactive slideshows.

Virtual Field Trips – Explore the world online through Google Earth and museum tours.

Reuse Old Devices – Turn unused tech into dedicated tools for learning or reading.

Screen Recording for Tech Help – Show (not tell) when troubleshooting.

Chatbots for Solving Tech Problems – Use AI tools to fix software issues and learn new features.

Gamified Reviews – Make learning fun with Kahoot, Blooket, Quizlet, Vocabulary.com, and ClassTools.

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post 12 Homeschool Tech Hacks appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Canva continues to be one of the most versatile and homeschool-friendly tools available. In this episode, I’m joined again by Rebecca Brinkman, teacher of the Graphic Design with Canva class at show sponsor FundaFunda Academy. We explore the latest Canva updates for 2025 and how you can use them in your homeschool.

Major interface changes – how the “Create” button and navigation have shifted.

Better organization – folders for uploads and easier searching.

AI tools in Canva – what’s still free, what’s limited, and how Canva Code opens doors to “vibe coding.”

Photo editing upgrades – including auto-select and advanced adjustments.

Canva Sheets – turning homeschool data into beautiful, visual charts and graphs.

Collaboration tools – why you should try designing alongside your students.

Rebecca also shares her free Canva 2025 Reference Guide so you can keep up with all the changes.

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post New Ways to Use Canva for Homeschooling appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In this episode of we welcome back repeat guest, Matthew Jurison, a high schooler, teaching assistant at FundaFunda Academy, and tech enthusiast.  Matthew shares how he first discovered Unreal Engine, why he chose it over other platforms like Unity and Roblox Studio, and why it’s a powerful, free option for teens interested in game development, visual effects, and creative storytelling.

We cover:

What Unreal Engine is and what it can be used for (games, CGI, VFX, and more)

How to get started quickly and what resources (YouTube, Discord, Udemy, Sketchfab) can help

Why Unreal Engine is beginner-friendly—even for teens with little or no coding background

How skills like problem-solving, creativity, and workflow management transfer into real life, college, and future careers

Tips for beginners: how to start small, stay motivated, and avoid common pitfalls

Matthew also gives us a peek into his own current project—a puzzle/horror survival game—and explains how Unreal Engine has changed the way he views both games and the world around him.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Previous episodes with Matthew on Scratch (ep 326) and Blender (ep 313)

Unreal Engine

Suggested YouTubers: Matt Aspland, Gorka Games

Learning platforms: Udemy, Sketchfab

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post Building Worlds in Unreal Engine appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Google Translate isn’t just for travelers trying to decipher a menu abroad—it can also be an incredibly useful tool in your homeschool. In this episode, you will learn creative ways to integrate both the browser version and the mobile app of Google Translate into everyday learning.

Practical uses in foreign language learning:

Translate unfamiliar words in library books.

Practice pronunciation and see if Google Translate understands your child’s accent.

Role-play dialogues, even if you don’t speak the target language.

Applications beyond language learning:

Translate street signs during virtual geography explorations on Google Maps.

Translate primary source documents for history or research projects.

Exploring the new Practice Mode (beta):

What “listen” and “speak” modes look like in Spanish and French.

How AI adapts lessons to your personal goals.

Why it’s a fun supplement for students at different proficiency levels.

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post Using Google Translate in Your Homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.