Homeschooling with Technology

Here are 3 different resources students can use to create online choose-your-own-adventure games.

Text Adventures actually has 3 different options to create choose-your-own-adventure games. There is the option to download software, but I have always used the online version.

Initially, you are asked to select between Quest and Squiffy. Select Quest (Squiffy is a little more complicated and only text).

Then you can start creating a Quest game. Now select ‘Gamebook’ in the drop-down option rather than text adventure. The latter allows you to create rooms with objects that can be manipulated. If your children enjoy the easier option, they could progress to this one. And this video explains how to get started.

But I suggest they start with a Gamebook type. In this version, they create choices for whoever is playing and the player simply clicks on their choice to continue down a specific path. This version allows them to add in graphics, audio, and video.

In my online US History class students research a Native American tribe pre-1492 and then turn their research into a game which the other students can play. Here are some you and your children and try.

Cherokee Tribe Game

Hyperlink Google Slides to other Google Slides to create a choose-your-own-adventure. See the show notes for the episode I did on Google slides for a video explaining how to do it.

For a real challenge, students can use Twine which allows them to create more complex text adventures and even incorporate some coding if they choose to.

Visit show sponsor FundaFunda Academy for teaching resources you can use in your home or in co-op classes.

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Contact Meryl via email on [email protected] or connect with her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook

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Today’s interview is with Kristin Moon from Kristin Moon Science and the topic is PHET Science Simulations. You can also follow her on Facebook.

Simulations allow students to have a concrete idea of concepts that are difficult to explain.

They are free simulations on the topics of math, physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science that are useful for students of all grade levels. They are created by the University of Colorado in Boulder and you can find them here.

Visit show sponsor FundaFunda Academy for their online Ecoloy, Biology and Earth Science classes. They also are introducing web-based unit studies for 4th – 8th graders on anatomy.

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Contact Meryl via email on [email protected] or connect with her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook

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Web-based unit studies are NOT simply pdfs instead of physical books, but rather interactive and accessed through an online classroom.

1. You can set everything up on Trello or Google Docs and get your kids to check off assignments as they complete them.

2. Pick a topic (eg.baseball) and search for resources using phrases like “baseball for kids”, “online baseball game”, “baseball infographic”, “baseball interactive”.

3. Search on Youtube and Vimeo for videos. Also, look at Edpuzzle as they have videos with embedded quizzes.

4. Search for “digital breakout baseball”. Learn more about digital breakouts on this episode.

5. Create online games using something like Classtools.

Visit this blog post to see a short video of the “inside” of a web-based unit study.

Use coupon code HWT50 – for 50% off any one full-priced web-based unit study from FundaFunda Academy.

And look at the online unit studies offered by Beth Napoli at Techie Homeschool Mom.

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If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review!

Contact Meryl via email on [email protected] or connect with her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook

Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you?

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Eric Nelson first created Fanschool games when he was a teacher and he played it with his classes. A few years ago he put it online – and now your family can enjoy playing too.

You can find the 2 Fanschool games – Fanpolitics and Fangeopolitics – on their website. It is free to use for up to 35 people so perfect for a family to play against each other or to use in a co-op class.

These games require students to do research so they know which states or countries to select in the draft. These become their teams and they earn points based on how often their “players” are mentioned in major news sources.

In addition, Fanschool has special games students can play in Election and Olympics years.

These games are used by our sponsor, FundaFunda Academy, in their online World Geography class (for high school) and their online Government class. In these classes, students play against others from all over the USA to earn bragging rights and Extra Credit.

Be sure to join our Facebook group where we carry on the discussion about Homeschooling with Technology.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review!

Contact Meryl via email on [email protected] or connect with her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook

Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you?

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Here are the tools mentioned in the episode that can be used by your children to improve writing skills.

1. Grammarly

2. Hemingway app

3. The Most Dangerous Writing Prompt Generator –

4. Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University

5. My Access

6. Online Writing Club from True North Homeschool Academy.

7. FundaFunda Academy has 2 writing classes that use technology to help students improve and have fun doing it. We have Writing Fun class for middle school which is perfect for students who hate writing. And a Writing Mechanics class for grades 7 – 10. This class is to help those who need to master the basics of good grammar in their writing, as well as learn how to write a standard 5 paragraph essay.

Be sure to join our Facebook group where we carry on the discussion about Homeschooling with Technology.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review!

Contact Meryl via email on [email protected] or connect with her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook

Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you?

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1. The American Presidency – match actual events from Trumans day with 7 of the presidential roles.

2. Redistricting game – There are 5 missions that demonstrate exactly what redistricting is

3. iCivics – 20 fungames on many different topics related to government and civics. Win the White House is one game that can be played by different ages. And Do I Have a Right? is one that is also available on an iPad or Android tablet.

4. Let’s Talk Politics is a quiz game on Amazon Echo. Just ask Alexa to play it.

These games and other great online resources are incorporated in FundaFunda Academy’s Electing a President Unit Study and their High School Government class.

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If you are looking for more podcasts to enjoy, check out the other ones offered through Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network or scroll through this list of Homeschool Podcasts.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review!

Contact Meryl via email on [email protected] or connect with her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook

Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you?

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In this episode, we look at 6 steps to use online resources to help you select curriculum that is a good fit for your child.

Please refer to episode 36 – Tips for buying and selling curriculum online to help you find the best prices for whatever curriculum you finally decide on

Take a piece of paper and write down everything you can think of that can narrow down what you need. Think about earning style, what has/hasn’t worked in the past, whether they are likely to study this subject at college etc.

Most companies do offer this – even the smaller ones. If you can’t find it on their page ask. SHOW your kids – get them involved at this point.

Our sponsor, FundaFunda Academy, has a demo classroom where you can see a module for each of their full-semester classes. You can find this on the home page or on the FAQs.

For their web-based unit studies, they offer a free “lite” version of their Intro to Game Programming” unit study. AND if you listen to the podcast before the end of July you will get a coupon to reduce the cost of the Around South America in 30 Days unit study to just $5 (from $20

These usually happen over the summer. Google to find them.

As you research, store ideas and links in Evernote, a spreadsheet (like Google Sheets) or on Trello

Be sure to join our Facebook group where we carry on the discussion about Homeschooling with Technology.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review!

Contact Meryl via email on [email protected] or connect with her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook

Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you?

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Be sure to join our Facebook group where we carry on the discussion about Homeschooling with Technology.

Sandra Balisky from Real World Learners is our guest today. She has a background as a math and English teacher and is now homeschooling her own children and working on an online math course for early elementary students. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram

Sandra explained the concept of “unplugged coding” (listen to the episode to hear what it is!)

Sandra has a post about unplugged coding with a free printable unplugged coding game and she has other unplugged activities for sale:

Once your children have learned some principles of coding from unplugged activities, consider signing them up for one of Fundafunda Academy’s Intro to Game Programming Online Class.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review!

Contact Meryl via email on [email protected] or connect with her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook

As part of our commitment to personalized homeschooling, we are proud to offer both secular and Christian options for homeschool families, charter schools, state organizations, co-ops, athletic organizations, arts schools, and others who seek flexible education options for their families.

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Piers is not only my husband, but also the photography teacher at FundaFunda Academy. You can see his work at Onstandby Travel and on Smugmug. Here are the online tools for photography he mentions in this episode.

You can find other ideas here.

Popular websites like Flickr and Photobucket aren’t a good idea as many of the photos teens could encounter there will not be appropriate. Better ideas for places to store photos are:

Listen to the episode to get a code for a discount for FundaFunda’s online Photography class for Fall 2019!

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review!

Be sure to join our Facebook group where we carry on the discussion about Homeschooling with Technology.

Contact Meryl via email on [email protected] or connect with her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook

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My oldest daughter, Rachel, suggested I do an episode on this as she and I have enjoyed a number of Digital Scavenger Hunts together. Rachel teaches the Visual Literacy class for FundaFunda Academy.

Digital scavenger hunts can be found in most cities – and sometimes even in specific locations eg museums.

They are a self-paced tour/scavenger hunt /problem-solving game all in one

1. Tour guide: they provide info on the city you are exploring

1. Exercise

You can Google “digital scavenger hunt “city” mobile device”. You can also often find deals on Groupon / Living Social.

Here are some I have done or gifted to my children.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review!

Be sure to join our Facebook group where we carry on the discussion about Homeschooling with Technology.

Contact Meryl via email on [email protected] or connect with her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook

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