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Homeschooling with Technology
Homeschooling with Technology episodes
- MagicSchool AI: A Free AI Assistant for Homeschool Teachers270: Magic School AI
In this episode we explore a new resource called Magic School AI, which can be used by homeschoolers to help their children retain and understand concepts, and provide engaging ideas for lessons.
In this episode we look at the tools for teachers (ie would be used by the homeschool parent). Next week we will look at the tools for students
Here are the Magic School AI tools mentioned
- Text Rewriter: Rewrites text in different styles (humorous, matter-of-fact, ironic, etc.)
- Question Generators: Creates questions based on YouTube videos or text input
- Rubric Generator: Generates rubrics for writing assessments
- Student Work Feedback: Provides feedback on student work based on grade level
- Text Summarizer and Text Leveler: Summarizes and adapts text to different grade levels
- Song Generator: Creates songs on any topic and tune
- Text Proofreader: Checks grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clarity
- Unit Plan Generator: Generates unit plans
- Math Story Word Problems: Creates word problems on specific topics
- Jeopardy Review Game: Generates Jeopardy-style review games with answer keys
- Vocabulary List Generator: Generates vocabulary lists for specific topics
- YouTube Video Summarizer: Summarizes YouTube videos
- Real-World Connections: Suggests project ideas for real-world applications
- Science Lab: Provides experiments and instructions using readily available materials
- Data Table Analysis: Generates data tables and analysis questions
- SAT Reading Questions and Practice Tests
- AI-resistant Assignments: Creates assignments that are more resistant to AI-assisted cheating
- Choice Boards: Generates lists of project ideas for students to choose fro
Here is the song about Simple Machines that Magic School AI generated
Simple Machines Wonderland(Sung to the tune of “My Favorite Things” by Julie Andrews)
Pulleys and levers and inclined planes too,
Wedges and screws and wheels turning through,Gears that are meshing and helping things lift,These are the simple machines – what a gift!Like a seesaw that goes up and down,
Or a wheelbarrow moving dirt through the town,A flag pole so tall with a pulley on top,Simple machines make our work never stop.From a doorknob turning, to a key in a lock,
All these examples are part of our stock,Ramps for the wheelchair or for loading a truck,Simple machines are amazing, oh what luck!So remember these tools that make work a breeze,
In our simple machines wonderland, if you please,They help us each day to make tasks less tough,Simple machines – we can’t thank them enough!Sign up for the FundaFunda Academy newsletter to access free unit studies
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 into 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 MagicSchool AI: A Free AI Assistant for Homeschool Teachers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
19 min - Teen Podcasters Share Their Journey269: Teen Podcasters Share Their Journey
In this episode, host Meryl van der Merwe interviews Laila Alvarez and Damien Segovia, two homeschooled teen podcasters, who share their experience starting and running their own podcast called “IKR?!”.
Topics Covered:
- What inspired Laila and Damien to start a podcast
- The name and focus of their podcast “IKR?!”
- Number of episodes recorded so far and topics covered
- Technical aspects – equipment used, editing software, posting to platforms
- Skills they’ve learned from podcasting
- Advice for parents/teens interested in starting a podcast
- How they are marketing their podcast
Key Points:
- Leila and Damien use clip-on mics and just record on a phone, showing podcasting can be done inexpensively
- They edit using Spotify’s podcasting platform and are looking to expand to Apple Podcasts
- Podcasting has improved their conversation skills and discipline
- Having a podcast can be a valuable experience for college application
Where to find Laila and Damien
- Check out Leila and Damien’s podcast “IKR?!” currently on Spotify, give it a rating/review
- You can follow them on Instagram @ikrpod
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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 into 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 Teen Podcasters Share Their Journey appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
17 min - Teaching Kids Critical Thinking for Social Media268 : Importance of critical thinking skills in navigating social media
Guest Stephanie Simoes from Critikid.com talks about the Importance of Critical Thinking Skills in Navigating Social Media and how to teach our children these skills.
Key Points:
- Critical thinking involves the ability to distinguish between logical and flawed reasoning, understanding logical fallacies, cognitive biases, symbolic logic, science literacy, and the limits of intuition.
- Kids need these skills to have productive conversations on social media, identify pseudoscience and misinformation, and interpret the overwhelming amount of information online.
- Stephanie offers courses like “Fallacy Detectors” for ages 8-12 and “Symbolic Logic for Teens” on her website critickid.com. She plans to release courses for younger kids (2-3 years) and up to 18 years old.
- Parents can learn alongside their kids by following CriticKid’s resources or using websites like “Thinking is Power” and Julie Bogart’s Raising Critical Thinkers books. (Julie was the guest on episode 155 of this podcast)
- Practical tips include: saving real-life examples from social media to discuss with kids, scrolling through social media together and identifying fallacies, and thinking out loud about verifying information before sharing.
Resources Mentioned:
- Cranky Uncle app/website for identifying logical fallacies
- Building Critical Thinkers worksheets on Teachers Pay Teachers (coming soon on Critikid.com)
- Free resources: CriticKid’s Fallacy Detectors Part 1 (first video free), Symbolic logic worksheets
Where to find Stephanie (@critikid)
Instagram
Facebook
Youtube
TikTok
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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 into 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 Teaching Kids Critical Thinking for Social Media appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
23 min - Comparing the Best AI Assistants for Homeschoolers267: Comparing AI Assistants
In this episode you will find me comparing AI Assistants – depending on your needs your favorites may be different to mine, so I suggest you try them all out too!. Just as you probably have a favorite supermarket, you will likely have a favorite AI assistant after you try some of the popular ones out.
I am using the free version of the 5 I compare
ChatGPTThis is the “original” one that introduced the world to AI Assistants. It is still my go-to but does not have access to current data and nor does it have the capabilities of some of the others. It is from Open AI
ClaudeI like the way Claude “writes” and use it when I want to use what it has written for show notes etc. It will allow you to upload images and it can “read” them
PerplexityPerplexity is the one most people feel is really good at summaries – especially of long papers. It also is sometimes used as an alternative to Google search. My favorite feature is the follow-up prompts it provides – gives you ideas on what else you might want to know. It does not require a log in – but obviously won’t be able to access any past queries if you choose not to log in
CoPilotThis is Microsoft’s AI assistant. I have been using it without logging in. It allows voice to text prompts and you can upload both files and images. Sources for the information it provides are at the bottom of each response. You can export the answer to Word, pdf or text. It provides clickable links and has access to current data and information.
GeminiGemini was called Bard and is Google’s AI assistant. It also allows voice to text, the upload of images and will provide clickable links if you ask. It can create tables, graphs and even images (though not images with people in them)
Wrapping upI asked each of these AI assistants to compare all 5 and many favored themselves – revealing their own bias. Also – thinks are changing so rapidly in the AI landscape that if you are listening a few weeks after this airs, this may all be inaccurate! I hope you will try them out for yourself and see which you enjoy
FundaFunda Academy class mentioned in this episode
- Computer Applications
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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 Comparing the Best AI Assistants for Homeschoolers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
20 min - How to Teach Kids 3D Design With Tinkercad (Free)266:Teaching students to use Tinkercad
Robert Walsh from Excalibur Solutions Stem Academy explains the why and the how behind teaching students to use Tinkercad.
What is STEM?Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Why does my child need STEM education even if they aren’t interested in a STEM career?- Children do not know what they will want to do after high school, so prepare them in case they do want to pursue a STEM career
- There are so many benefits of learning STEM subjects that spill over into all areas of life. See
Episode 144– Non-Tech Skills Students Learn From CodingWhat is Tinkercad?- Tinkercad is a free web-based application that is best known as a 3d modeling tool. You can take your models and then print them out on a 3d printer
- The second mode in Tinkercad is called virtual circuits mode. In this mode, you can simulate physical electronic circuits using a breadboard, which is a way to connect components together. You can create circuits, power them with simulated batteries or microcontrollers like Arduino or micro:bit. These microcontrollers are small computers available in the real world, but they are simulated almost perfectly inside Tinkercad’s virtual environment. This mode allows you to learn how to build electrical circuits, use microcontrollers, without worrying about losing or breaking components, not having the right parts, or struggling with the physical dexterity required for working with actual circuits.
- There’s a third mode called Code Blocks, similar to the 3D design tools, but instead of dragging and dropping components, you write programs in a block-based, drag-and-drop language similar to Scratch. However, you’re manipulating 3D objects when writing these programs. Once familiar with 3D design, you can inject programming to create models instead of manipulating them freehand.
- Finally, there’s a fourth tool called Physics Lab, which allows you to experiment with things like springs, motion, and other physics concepts, all simulated within the Tinkercad environment.
How can students learn Tinkercad?- Many free online resources eg Youtube videos and Tinkercad provides basic training too
- Excalibur Solutions Stem Academy has a subscription-based program for many STEM topics and Tinkercad is included in that.
Are there other programs like Tinkercad that people might not know about?- Makecode: https://microsoft.com/makecode
- Wokwi: https://wokwi.com
Where to find Robert online:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/excaliburstem
Twitter: https://twitter.com/excaliburstem
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excaliburstem/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@excaliburstem
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excalibur-solutions-stem-academy
LinkedIn (personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-t-walsh/
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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 to Teach Kids 3D Design With Tinkercad (Free) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
23 min - 10 Ways I am using AI in 2024265: 10 Ways I am using AI in 2024
I use AI like I would a personal assistant. I give clear instructions and check the results. I use it for tasks that free me up to be creative in other areas, or to help me get started on a task. Here are 10 ways I am using AI this year so far.
- Podcast show notes – I use Descript to create a transcript from the audio and then ask Claude to turn it into show notes. You could do the same with any audio you want to turn into notes
- Gift ideas – give the interests and age and also what the person already owns
- Recommendation letters – I use “voice to text” to get down my ideas on Google docs. Then I take the output and give it to Claude with detailed instructions and an example of a previous recommendation letter I have written
- Topics to cover when creating courses – let it generate a list of topics and perhaps also suggested resources to use
- Assignment ideas – explain the topic and the grade level and the type of assignment
- Assignment questions + suggested answers – you can input a pdf or a video url
- Trivia night “cheat sheet” – it provides a list what happened this day in history
- Titles of podcast episodes and blog posts – tip: ask for 10 or 20 options so you can select or mix-and-match
- Travel itineraries – you can input the criteria you are looking for and ask for suggestions, or even aa detailed plan for each day
- Canva AI generated graphics – Canva allows you to type what you are looking for and it will create the graphic
I do all the above using free AI tools!
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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 10 Ways I am using AI in 2024 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
20 min - The Anton App: Interactive Lessons for Kids264: The Anton App: Interactive Lessons for Kids
The Anton App offers bite-sized interactive learning opportunities for K – 8th grade. It is free and some of its features include:
- Works on all devices
- No ads
- Earn coins for games
- Covers a wide range of subjects
- Can customize avatars to look like oneself
- Games are offered as a reward for learning
- Groups allow you to add students, assign specific lessons to the group, see how students are doing by utilizing reports
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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 The Anton App: Interactive Lessons for Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
9 min - Gamified Science Apps for Neurodiverse Brains📚 Part of our guide: Homeschool Science263: Gamified Science Apps for Neurodiverse Brains
In today’s episode, host Meryl Van Der Merwe interviews homeschooling mom And Clark about two gamified science apps she uses with her neurodiverse kids — Brilliant and TytoOnline. These gamified science apps make science interactive and engaging for both neurodiverse and neurotypical students. Brilliant offers supplemental math and science courses while Tyto is a 3D video game focused on middle and high school science.
Brilliant
- Offers math, science, computer science courses and puzzles
- Pay monthly or annually
- Has free preview available
- For advanced middle school and high school students
Tyto Online
- 3D science video game for middle and high school students
- Costs $5/month for first child, $4/month for additional children
- Includes courses on cells, ecology, earth systems, etc.
- Students create avatars and conduct virtual experiments
You can find Andi at AndiClark.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 into 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 Gamified Science Apps for Neurodiverse Brains appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
16 min - Equipping your children for careers in an AI world262: Equipping your children for careers in an AI world
With the AI revolution upon us and facing a future we can only guess at, how do we homeschoolers equip our children for careers in an AI world?
Key Topics Covered:
- How rapidly AI is changing and transforming the job landscape
- 3 scenarios for how AI could impact jobs and careers
- Importance of discussing AI and its impact with kids
- Teaching kids to be computer & tech literate to keep skills up-to-date
- Encouraging creativity since AI handles routine tasks
- Developing critical thinking and problem solving
- Dangers of kids using AI to cheat instead of thinking independently
- Teaching entrepreneurship and business skills
- Helping kids be adaptable, resilient, and lifelong learner
- Importance of broad skillsets and being able to transition between areas
FundaFunda classes mentioned in this episode
- Computer Applications
- World History
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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 into 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 Equipping your children for careers in an AI world appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
19 min - Benefits of Video Projects261: Benefits of video projects
There are many benefits of video projects for homeschool students – and this episode unpacks some of those benefits
Main Points:
- Kids and teens enjoy the video medium and will likely enjoy creating videos
- Video creation is a useful skill for college and jobs
- There are many scholarships that require videos
- Making videos teaches various skills like planning, tech skills, editing, etc.
- Videos are easy to share with others like family, friends, classmates
Types of Video Tools Mentioned:
- My Simple Show – add text and it creates video with clipart
- Built-in laptop software like iMovie
- Screen sharing videos (e.g. explaining how a website works) Can use Zoom or Loom
- Canva
- Powtoon – for creating animated videos
- Slideshows turned into videos
Potential Project Ideas:
- Explain how to play Minecraft
- Documentary about last vacation using Canva
- Animated book report with Powtoon
- Fundraiser promo video for non-profit organization
- Tutorial videos based on child’s hobbies and interests
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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 into 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 Benefits of Video Projects appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
17 min
About Homeschooling with Technology
From the publisher's feed
On Homeschooling with Technology, former programmer and veteran homeschool mom Meryl van der Merwe helps families use tech with confidence and wisdom — the best apps and online tools, AI for planning…
and learning (used safely), and practical tips that fit real homeschool days. No jargon, no overwhelm. Listen to an episode below and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for a fresh tip each week.