Homeschooling with Technology

Homeschooling with Technology

By Meryl van der MerweEducationParentingKids & Family
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Homeschooling with Technology episodes

  • My Favorite Tech Tools for Homeschooling

    200: My Favorite Tech Tools for Homeschooling

    In this 200th episode, I share my favorite tech tools for homeschooling. But first I highlight some past episodes from the previous years:

    Episode 22- Techie Alternatives to Written Reports –

    Episode 54 – Homeschooling Digital Natives

    Episode 77 – Virtual Labs

    Episode 97 – Profile of a Successful Online Learner

    Episode 130 – Exploring Media Bias

    from Episode 134 – Techie Homeschooled Teens series

    Episode 148 – Google’s Free Applied Digital Skills Lessons

    Episode 179 – Free Tools for Researching Colleges and Universities

    You can find a list of all our episodes here.

    A list of the favorite tech tools for homeschooling I mention in this episode:

    Canva

    iCivics
    Google docs
    Trello
    Vocabulary.com
    Grammarly
    Flippity
    Scannable
    Phet
    Scratch
    Padlet
    Slidesmania

    If you haven’t tried all of these yet, I suggest you take a look too see what you have been missing!

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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 My Favorite Tech Tools for Homeschooling appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

    17 min
  • How to Use 3D Printing in Your Homeschool

    199: Using 3D printing in your homeschool with Katie Matteson

    Katie Matteson shares how she is using 3-D printing in her homeschool. These show notes are just the bare bones from the episode – listen to the full episode for all the info and tips

    First printer/pen?

    We started with the 3D pens. They have had their 3D pens for almost 4 years and have created COUNTLESS items.

    What brand? Price?

    The 3D pen listings are hard to keep up with as the vendors and listings on Amazon change frequently. Use the ratings as a guide. Recently we purchased a 3D printer and we got an Ender3 which is a great top-level beginner’s model. Here is a list for supplies that we used to get started

    What software do you use?

    • Cura – slicing software that allows them to print multiple things at once and manage their print size – its free.
    • Thingiverse – for their files
    • Tinkercad – for their design – for their design

      • What did your children do with the pen?

      They started with 2D flat Art while getting used to the pens and then moved on to rings for their fingers, animals to play with, statues, small bridge replicas, spaceships, anything.

      With the printer?

      They have printed a lot of fun lego pieces, miniature toys, flexi toys, small trinkets for friends, as well as a toilet paper holder, pieces for a Halloween costume, phone stand, oversized lego drones, etc.

      How expensive are the supplies?

      The printer I have is on discount right now for about $190 and then each roll of PLA filament costs anywhere from $17-30 depending on the color. Most solid colors are in the $17-20 range. So initial startup for a beginner can be as cheap as $300 with a great range of colors.

      What age is a good age to start having your kid use a 3D pen or printer?

      I would say that with the PEN 6 or 7 is a good age. You cannot use a 3D printer without the ability to download or design builds in the software. There is the designing and preparing of the print file that is done on the computer that then transfers to the printer. I think 10-12 is a good age where their desires, curiosities, attention span, and their capabilities for the activity are well matched.

      Where you can find Katie

      Instagram
      3D printing supplies list

      —————————————————————————————————————-

      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 Use 3D Printing in Your Homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

      18 min
    • Where to get ebooks for your homeschool

      198: Where to get ebooks for your homeschool

      In the last episode, we discussed why homeschoolers should use ebooks. In this episode, I give you ideas on where to get ebooks for your homeschool.

      1. The library

      2. Amazon Prime, – Gatsby, red badge, midsummer nights dream

      3. Epic

      4. Project Gutenberg

      5. Standard EBooks

      6. Bookbub

      7. Amazon Kindle unlimited

      —————————————————————————————————————-

      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 Where to get ebooks for your homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

      11 min
    • Using e-books for homeschooling

      197:Using e-books for homeschooling

      Sabrina Justison from 7 Sisters Homeschool explains the benefits of using e-books for homeschooling in this episode.

      1. Using ebooks for some or all of homeschooling makes sense for students

      – digital natives
      – take-it-with-you convenience
      – adaptable (font size, text-to-speech)
      – often includes more illustrations for visual learners

      2. Using ebooks for some or all of homeschooling makes sense for parents

      – less expensive
      – quickly updates to current versions
      – highlights/markings can be removed easily for a younger child to use down the road
      – e-schoolbooks don’t get lost as easily when your student is avoiding schoolwork!

      You can find Sabrina and 7 Sisters Homeschool on Instagram and Facebook. Join their Facebook group 7 Sisters Homeschool and listen to their podcast, The Homeschool High School podcast

      —————————————————————————————————————-

      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 e-books for homeschooling appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

      15 min
    • Fanschool: A Safe Student Blogging Platform

      196: Fanschool: a platform for student blogging with Eric Nelson

      I last spoke to Eric Nelson about Fanschool back in episode 47 about their games where students get to draft a ‘team’ and track how well they do which is based on how often they are mentioned in the media.

      show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy, uses these games in their online Government class class and their online World Geography class. In these classes, students play against their classmates to earn bragging rights and Extra Credit.

      Fanschool has now expanded their games to include animals, business and elements of the periodic table – as well as countries and members of congress. These are the ‘players’ that are drafted onto the teams.

      But now Fanschool has expanded to include a student blogging/publishing platform where students can share what they are passionate about. Listen to this episode to learn all about it.

      You can follow Fanschool on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

      —————————————————————————————————————-

      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 Fanschool: A Safe Student Blogging Platform appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

      16 min
    • How to practice Spanish listening comprehension

      195: How to practice Spanish listening comprehension with Suzette Laporte-Ayo

      In episode 193, Suzette, the Spanish teacher at show sponsor FundaFunda Academy shared apps and websites for learning Spanish. In this episode, she expands on the last website she mentioned in that episode and explains how one could use it to practice Spanish listening comprehension.

      The website Suzette uses in her online classes is spanishlistening.org

      Listen to the episode to hear Suzette explain what to get your children to do with this website to improve their ability to understand spoken Spanish.

      You can find Suzette at her website Spanish Fun and on Instagram at spanishfunwithsuzette

      All her Spanish classes (from K – 12th grade) are available 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

      Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

      The post How to practice Spanish listening comprehension appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

      10 min
    • The role of parents in online classes

      194: The role of parents in online classes

      If you have a child in online classes, you have probably wondered what the role of parents in online classes is. As a teacher of online classes at FundaFunda Academy, here are suggestions we as teachers there, have for you as parents.

      1. Don’t forget you are their homeschool parent.

      2. Your role will change as they get older

      3. Young children

      • participate with them
      • help with tech
      • provide snacks
      • be nearby

        • 4. Upper elementary/middle school student

        • more hands-off
        • check they are doing their work
        • ask questions
        • ask for input on class selection

          • 5. High School students

          DO

          • make sure they know when the class starts and what expectations are
          • still ask them about the class
          • check their grades / are they submitting work on time – can relax this one they prove to be reliable
          • help them develop schedules, overcome learning differences (Listen to ep 125 and 126 on Modifying online curriculum for special needs students)
          • be their cheerleader

            • DON’T

            • do their work for them
            • help them cheat
            • email the teacher for them (with some exceptions)

              • —————————————————————————————————————-

              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

              Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

              The post The role of parents in online classes appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

              20 min
            • Apps and websites for learning Spanish

              193: Apps and websites for learning Spanish with Suzette Laporte-Ayo

              Suzette shares apps and websites for learning Spanish that she incorporates into the online classes she teaches at FundaFunda Academy. Listen to the episode to hear her explain how she uses each one.

              1. Quizlet (website and app for K and up). Listen to episode 25 for more info on how to use Quizlet effectively to learn a language
              2. Study Spanish (website for MS and up)
              3. Spanish Spanish (website for K and up but young ones need parental help to navigate)
              4. Rockalingua (website for K-4th maybe a little older)
              5. Fun Spanish App (app for K-4th)
              6. Spanish Listening (website – for MS and up)

                7. You can find Suzette at her website Spanish Fun and on Instagram at spanishfunwithsuzette

                All her Spanish classes (from K – 12th grade) are available 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 Apps and websites for learning Spanish appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

                13 min
              7. Using Audiobooks in your Homeschool

                Tauna Meyer from Proverbial Homemaker shares why she loves using audiobooks in her homeschool as well as her favorite places to find them. You can find more info on this post she wrote

                These are the resources Tauna mentions in this episode:

                • Library (Libby, overdrive, Hoopla, CDs)
                • Used/New CDs on Amazon, eBay, or other booksellers
                • Librivox
                • Audible
                • Chirp
                • Audiobooks.com
                • Scribd
                • Apple Books
                • YouTube

                  • Homeschool vendors:

                  • Jim Hodges
                  • Uncle Rick
                  • Raising Real Men
                  • Jim Weiss

                    • Connect with Tauna on the Proverbial Homemaker Facebook Page, in her Facebook group Homeschool Successfully and on Instagram at tauna_phomemaker

                    —————————————————————————————————————-

                    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

                    192: Using Audiobooks in your Homeschool with Tauna Meyer

                    The post Using Audiobooks in your Homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

                    17 min
                  • Online Physics Games and Simulations

                    191: Online Games and Simulations to teach Physics with Bex Buzzie

                    Our guest Bex Buzzie is a physics teacher and she shares her favorite online physics games and simulations. Bex hosts The Homeschool Advantage podcast where she interviews curriculum providers about what makes their products unique. Her interview with me about show sponsor FundaFunda Academy can be found here.

                    We discuss the value of using simulations in teaching any subject – but in particular physics.

                    The two resources Bex mentions are:

                    • Distance and Position Interactve simulation
                    • PhET (Physics Education Technology) simulations

                      • Bex teaches a project-based online physics class at FundaFunda Academy. She loves incorporating technology in the online classroom.

                      —————————————————————————————————————-

                      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 Online Physics Games and Simulations appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

                      16 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…