In this episode, we look at how homeschoolers can use Gemini and why it’s worth adding to your tech toolkit — even if you already use ChatGPT.

“My Stuff” dashboard to quickly access everything you’ve created

Model options (Fast, Thinking, Pro) depending on the depth of response you need

Export directly to Google Docs, Sheets, or Gmail to save time and avoid formatting issues

Double-check response tool to verify factual information

Listen feature to have content read aloud

Split-screen setup with chat on one side and a live, editable document on the other

Format, revise, delete, or add directly inside Gemini

Ideal for building lesson plans, worksheets, and activities

Create custom visuals for lessons or social media

Refine prompts to improve perspective and clarity

SAT-style practice questions developed in collaboration with College Board

Integrated Google Map view to visualize locations when doing a search on something within a specific radius from a place

All features discussed are available in the free version.

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 Homeschooling with Gemini appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, Meryl interviews Melissa Brander from Pocket Homeschool about the many free technology resources available through your local library.

Most homeschool families think of the library as a place for books. But today’s libraries offer far more — including digital tools, streaming platforms, language programs, research databases, maker spaces, and even technology devices you can borrow.

Melissa shares practical ideas and specific tools to help homeschool families take full advantage of what libraries are already offering — often completely free.

Public computers

Low-cost or free printing (including color printing)

Wi-Fi access

If you occasionally need color printing or device access, your library may be an easy solution.

Many libraries now offer a “Library of Things,” which allows you to check out non-book items such as:

Laptops

Wi-Fi hotspots

Video games

Media converters (such as VHS-to-digital tools)

Devices and other tech equipment

Not every library has this, but it is becoming increasingly common.

Beyond traditional books on CD, libraries now offer:

Playaways (self-contained MP3 audiobook players)

Vox Books and Wonderbooks (print books with built-in audio)

Tonie figures or Yoto cards (at some libraries)

These can be especially helpful for emerging or struggling readers.

Check whether your library offers:

A dedicated library catalog app

Libby (eBooks, audiobooks, magazines)

Hoopla (instant borrows, movies, documentaries, audiobooks)

Kanopy (streaming documentaries and films, often with a kids section)

Kanopy, in particular, can be a powerful tool for homeschool families who use documentaries as part of their curriculum.

Many libraries provide free access to programs such as:

Mango Languages

Transparent Language

These platforms offer structured lessons and can serve as a full curriculum or a supplement to your existing language studies.

Some libraries offer online tutoring platforms (such as Brainfuse), where students can:

Ask questions

Get homework support

Receive help explaining difficult concepts

This can be invaluable when a concept simply is not clicking at home.

Libraries often provide access to academic databases, including:

Elementary and middle school research databases

Historical newspaper archives

Scholarly research tools for high school students

These are especially important for:

Teaching research skills

Finding credible sources

Preparing students for college-level writing

In a world of quick AI-generated answers, learning how to use databases is a critical skill.

Some libraries now include maker spaces equipped with:

3D printers

Laser cutters

Coding tools

Specialized tech equipment

These spaces allow students to experiment with technology that may be too expensive to purchase individually.

Libraries frequently offer workshops and events that may include:

Coding sessions

Digital media workshops

Technology restoration projects

Creative tech activities

Always check your library’s event calendar. And if you do not see something you need, ask — librarians often welcome suggestions from their community.

Website: www.pockethomeschool.com

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 Free Tech Tools Through Your Library appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Presentations are a skill students will use again and again—in middle school, high school, college, and eventually the workplace. In this episode, learn about tech tools that can help homeschoolers (and parents!) create attractive, effective presentations without needing advanced design skills.

1. Google Slides
A familiar starting point for many students. Google Slides now offers much stronger templates than it did in the past. And  SlidesAI is an add-on that uses AI to speed up the process of slide creation.

2. Prezi
A non-traditional presentation tool that uses zooming and spatial movement instead of linear slides. Prezi is great for helping students think differently about how information connects and when a more interactive format makes sense.

3. Canva
Canva offers a huge variety of beautiful presentation templates and layouts. Students can:

Start from a template

Build slide-by-slide using layouts

Present directly from Canva or share via link

4. Gamma App
An AI-powered presentation tool that quickly creates visually appealing slides from notes or structured prompts. Use ChatGPT or Gemini to plan content first, then import it into Gamma (referral link) to save time—while still editing images and content to ensure accuracy and quality.

Here is an example: an interactive “Journey of Molly Kelly” presentation used in a middle-school co op class.

Computer Applications (full-year teacher-graded or self-paced parent-graded)

Graphic Design with Canva (graded semester elective or  self-paced, parent-graded version.)

Intro to Artificial Intelligence (half-credit, one semester)

If your kids create a presentation they’re proud of, come share it in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook—we’d love to see it!

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 to make beautiful presentations appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Melissa is a longtime homeschool mom of four, a licensed teacher, and the founder of Curio. She shares five free homeschool resources her family still uses regularly today—resources that have stood the test of time and continue to work well for real homeschool families.

These aren’t just quick links. Melissa explains how her family actually uses each tool, from self-paced science lessons to gap-filling math, audiobooks for reluctant readers, gamified learning for younger kids, and leveled current events for middle and high schoolers.

Nearpod – Interactive, student-paced lessons with VR, activities, and assessments  Also listen to episode 293 where Melissa goes into more detail about Nearpod.

Khan Academy – Free courses for gap filling, mastery, and exploration. And listen to episode 317 where Meryl shares more ideas about Khan Academy

Libby – Using library audiobooks and ebooks to support reading and spelling

Freckle – Gamified math and reading practice for younger learners

ENGOO Daily News – Leveled current events with discussion and writing prompts

If you use any of these resources, join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!

Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!

The post 5 Free Homeschool Resources That Still Hold Up in 2026 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

The Winter Olympics are almost here, and if your family will be watching, why not turn that excitement into meaningful learning? In this episode, I share a collection of fun, engaging, and mostly free Winter Olympics resources you can use with elementary through high school students—before and during the Games.

These resources cover history, geography, science, music, critical thinking, and more, with very little prep required.

Official Olympics Website – Milano Cortina 2026
Explore schedules, events, host locations, and track the Olympic torch as it travels toward the opening ceremony.

Athlete365 Stories
Behind-the-scenes articles and videos featuring athlete preparation, Olympic Village life, and what happens before competition begins.

15-Minute Olympics Music Lesson – Music in Our Homeschool
A free mini-lesson exploring Olympic music and official songs—short, engaging, and easy to use.

Science of the Winter Olympics (NBC Playlist on YouTube)
Short, engaging videos explaining the physics and math behind Winter Olympic sports like bobsledding and aerial skiing.
Best for middle and high school, but fascinating for all ages.

Olympics History & Culture Unit Study (Grades 4–8)
A low-cost mini unit study covering Olympic history, culture, and the differences between the Summer and Winter Games.
Web-based, hands-on, and reusable for future Olympics.

Free Digital Olympics Breakout (Escape-Room Style Activity)
A fully online breakout activity where students solve clues to unlock the Google Form and “win” the challenge.
Great for families or small groups. Estimated time: ~45 minutes.

FanSchool Olympics Medal Prediction Game
Students predict medal counts by country and learn geography along the way.
Free to play, with possible prizes for top predictions.

Winter Olympics Bingo (Free Printable)
A fun way for the whole family to stay engaged while watching events, learning about flags, countries, and sports.
Use code WINTER (free through February 22).

If you use any of these resources, come join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!

Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!

The post Winter Olympics Resources for Your Homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In this episode, we explore Pixar in a Box, a free, self-paced course created by Pixar in partnership with Khan Academy.

Pixar in a Box gives students a behind-the-scenes look at how Pixar films are made. Lessons are taught by Pixar professionals and connect animation to math, science, art, and computer science.

Start with the short introductory video and watch it together to see if it sparks your child’s interest.

You can access Pixar in a Box:

Through Khan Academy

Through the Pixar website (where the intro video appears on the main page)

Pixar in a Box includes 14 main units (plus an orientation). Families can follow the full sequence or jump around.

Example topics include:

Storytelling and film grammar

Animation and simulation

Color science and lighting

Character and environment modeling

Lessons mix short videos, interactive activities, simulations, quizzes, and some offline projects.

The Lesson Finder lets you filter lessons by:

Grade level (5–6 through 9–12)

Subject area (art, math, computer science, science)

Estimated total time: 25–40 hours

This works well for middle school enrichment or as part of a high school elective. With added projects—such as animation work, film analysis, or career research—it can be extended to a ½ credit elective. You can find trailers and how some shorts were made here.

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 Pixar in a box appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Vibe coding is a brand-new term, coined in early 2025 by former OpenAI researcher Andrej Karpathy, and it describes a radically different way of creating software—by describing what you want instead of writing traditional code.

In this episode, you will learn what vibe coding is, why it’s possible now thanks to large language models, and how homeschoolers can use it creatively and practically with their teens.

You’ll hear real examples, student-created projects, and two free tools you can try immediately.

Vibe coding is the process of building apps, games, or tools by talking to AI instead of manually writing code. You describe what you want, refine it step by step, and let the AI handle the programming behind the scenes.

This approach lowers the barrier to entry while still rewarding logical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity—especially when students understand how computers work at a basic level.

Canva Code

Create interactive games

Build matching activities and flashcards

Design simple browser-based games

Examples of Canva Code games:

AI term matching game

Emoji Drawing Game by  Lukas F

Wave Survival Game  by  Zander F

Base44

Examples discussed include:

A hydration tracker app

A book-tracking app with built-in recommendations by Lukas F

Instead of giving AI one massive instruction, treat it like an intern:

Start with a simple request

Add features one at a time

Refine visuals, logic, and functionality step by step

Create educational games to reinforce learning

Let students design games for each other

Build trackers, organizers, and productivity tools

Encourage creativity while still developing computational thinking

Artificial Intelligence for Teens

Scratch

Python

Pick one tool from this list and commit to learning it this year. Then join the Homeschooling with Technology Facebook group and share which tool you chose and why.

Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!

The post Vibe Coding appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Choose one tech tool from this list to explore intentionally in 2026.

AI assistants that homeschool parents can use for planning, teaching, and daily life.

Ways to use them include:

Rewriting articles at a child’s reading level

Creating lesson extensions and outdoor activities

Planning school schedules around sports and activities

Generating games, recipes, and choose-your-own-adventure stories

A free PDF with 20 starter prompts is available through the FundaFunda Academy newsletter.

Free, interactive math and science simulations from the University of Colorado.

Great for:

Physics (circuits, forces, motion)

Chemistry (molecules, states of matter)

Math (fractions, number lines, density)

Especially useful for middle and high school students and visual learners.

A collection of free STEM lessons and simulations at learn.concord.org.

Highlights include:

Filters by grade level and subject

Earth science, engineering, and data science resources

Project-based activities that work well alongside existing curriculum

A versatile design tool for students and parents.

Canva can be used to:

Create reports, presentations, planners, and calendars

Design invitations, worksheets, and printables

Explore built-in AI design tools

FundaFunda Academy offers both teacher-graded and self-paced Canva classes.

A free AI study tool that works only from sources you upload, reducing hallucinations.

NotebookLM can:

Create quizzes, tests, and answer keys

Generate study notes and timelines

Produce short audio summaries

Work directly from PDFs, videos, and websites

A strong option for teaching teens effective study skills.

A Chrome extension designed for teachers and homeschool parents.

Key features:

Inspect Google Docs to see how writing was created

Generate quizzes from articles or videos

A tool that turns videos into interactive lessons.

With Edpuzzle you can:

Pause videos to ask comprehension questions

Prevent skipping ahead

Track whether the entire video was watched

Use thousands of pre-made lessons for free

A rich resource for geography, history, art, and culture.

Includes:

Virtual museum tours

Interactive explorations of historical sites

Games connected to art and culture

Previously discussed in Episodes 314 and 315.

A large library of free, self-paced technology lessons.

Topics include:

Google Docs, Sheets, and Calendar

Digital citizenship and online safety

Career skills and portfolio building

Creative projects like comics and digital postcards

One of the most comprehensive free personal finance resources available.

Covers:

Budgeting, banking, and credit

Paying for college

Investing and financial math

Interactive games such as Payback, Spent, and Stax

Teacher-graded semester classes began January 5

Self-paced classes are available at a lower cost

Subjects include Canva, AI, personal finance, and more

Pick one tool from this list and commit to learning it this year. Then join the Homeschooling with Technology Facebook group and share which tool you chose and why.

The post New Year, New Tools appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This is a rerun of episode 210 – you can find the original show notes here.

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This is a rerun of episode 162 – you can find the original show notes here.

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