Homeschooling with Technology

In today’s episode, learn how to write better AI prompts for homeschooling—tips, examples, and hacks to save you time and spark creativity in your lessons.

Role – “Act like a veteran homeschool mom with 10 years of experience.”

Grade level – Tailor to 3rd vs. 9th grade.

Time – “Should take 20 minutes to complete.”

Vibe – “Make it fun and silly” vs. “Make it serious and academic.”

Theme – Legos, Star Wars, Taylor Swift, history tie-ins, etc.

Format – PDF, quiz, table, chart, or outline.

Question type – Multiple choice, open-ended, discussion prompts.

Answer key / rubric – Included separately

Length constraints – “Give me 10 problems” or “200 words.”

Scaffolding style – Step-by-step, increasing difficulty.

Differentiation – Ask for modifications for struggling, average, and advanced learners. – great for families with multiple ages

Integration – “Create a math problem that uses our history topic.”

Output organization – Request bullet points, tables, or charts.

Constraints – “No screen time,” “Only household supplies,” “15 minutes max.”

Iteration – Show moms how to refine: “Give me three variations.”

Critique mode – “Pretend you’re a homeschool evaluator—what’s missing?”

Reverse prompting – “What info do you need from me to make this lesson better?”

Some examples:

Use Perplexity for sources, Notebook LM for summary / outlines

Fact-check with one model, add creativity with another.

Compare outputs from two LLMs to choose the best fit.

Quick scenarios moms can try today:

Create spelling lists or math word problems themed around a child’s favorite hobby.

Turn a video or book into discussion questions.

Adapt info into multiple-choice quizzes with answer keys.

Generate three versions of an activity: fun, serious, and quick-prep.

“Act as a homeschool mom who has been teaching for 10 years. Create a 20-minute writing activity for a 7th grader who loves Star Wars. Make it fun but still educational, and give me both the student instructions and a teacher’s answer guide.”

“Create a 10-question multiple-choice quiz on the American Revolution for 9th graders. Provide the questions and four answer choices each. At the end, list the correct answers in a separate section so I can print it as an answer key.”

“Design a math lesson on fractions for 5th graders. Provide three versions: one hands on, one story based, and one with clear instructions. Each version should take no more than 15 minutes and require only household supplies.”

“Make a table with 8 spelling words for a 3rd grader. In the first column list the word, in the second column give a kid-friendly definition, and in the third column write a silly sentence that also includes a science fact.”

“I want to create a fun history activity about Ancient Egypt for my children in grades 4, and 7. What details do you need from me to design the best possible activity?”

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 Homeschool AI Hacks: How to Write Prompts That Work appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Are your children complaining that writing isn’t fun? Transform writing time into creative fun with these 10 tech tools—each designed to spark imagination and ease the writing struggle.

Tool: Story Dice

Description: Roll virtual icons and weave them into a story—great for melting the blank-page dread.

Tool: Canva Comic Strip Templates and similar tools

Description: Comic panels turn writing into bite-size fun, one box at a time.

Related episode: Episode 115 – Online Comic Strip Creators

Tool: ClassTools.net (Fakebook & SMS generator)

Description: Write as historical or literary characters—short-form and highly engaging.

Related episode: Episode 173 – Social Media Templates for Fun Assignments

Tool: Voice memos (mobile) or any audio-recording app

Description: Record stories aloud, then transcribe—friendly for reluctant writers or those with dyslexia.

Tool: Google Docs

Description: Pass the story along in real-time with siblings or friends—editing is a breeze.

Tools: StoryJumper or Book Creator

Description: Create illustrated stories for younger siblings—a short text plus pictures brings stories to life.

Tools: TextAdventures.co.uk or Google Slides (hyperlinked branching slides)

Description: Let kids build branching stories—reader picks the path!

Related episode: Episode 50 – How to Create Online Choose Your Own Adventure Games

Tools: Canva AI Text to image, AI image generators, Unsplash

Description: Generate quirky visuals (e.g., “rhino on a bicycle”) and write the backstory—great for creativity.

Tool: MySimpleShow.com

Description: Turn written ideas into narrated visuals—perfect for research projects in middle/high school.

Tool: Poetry4Kids

Description: Choose a poem type (like haiku or limerick) and get step-by-step support through the writing.

Related episode: Episode 127 – Online Poetry Resources

Tool: Padlet

Description: A visual “pin-board” for students to display and share writing—with family, friends, or co-op groups.

Related resource:

Writing Fun class at FundaFunda Academy — Students explore these tools in a guided, supportive environment. First three sign-ups get 30% off using code 30OFF!

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 Tech Tools to Make Writing Fun appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In this episode, we look at  Brisk Teaching, a powerful ( free for most things) AI Chrome extension designed for educators — and incredibly helpful for homeschoolers.

You’ll discover how to:

Use Brisk’s “Inspect Writing” tool to check your child’s writing history and detect copy/paste

Create auto-graded quizzes from websites, documents, or YouTube videos

Generate student-friendly podcasts based on age-appropriate content

Simplify or adapt reading material with the Change Level feature

Automatically create rubrics and give effective AI-assisted feedback

Get guided notes, exemplars, and even design science labs with household items

Brisk is like having an AI assistant just for homeschoolers — without the overwhelm. Tune in to learn how to integrate it easily into your homeschool routine.

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 Homeschoolers Can Use Brisk AI appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

We explore why every homeschool family should consider developing an AI policy—and how to do it.

As AI tools become more prevalent, it’s no longer a question of if teens are using them, but how. Meryl explains how teens often approach AI differently than adults and why it’s important to proactively teach them how to use these tools responsibly and effectively.

Topics covered include:

Why teens may misuse AI—and how to guide them

What makes a good AI policy for your homeschool

Specific tools parents can use to monitor and support responsible use

The importance of balancing creativity, critical thinking, and AI assistance

Tips for encouraging teens to be transparent and reflective about their AI use

Two upcoming FREE events hosted by podcast sponsor FundaFunda Academy:

Summer-Themed Live Teen Trivia Night – Free to participate. Multiple choice questions, no special knowledge required, with prizes!

Scholarship Webinar – Free to join. Learn how to find and win external scholarships, hosted by Meryl herself.

Resources mentioned:

University of Rochester article on teen brain development

FundaFunda’s AI Unit Study for families

FundaFunda’s half-credit AI class for grades 7–12

Tools mentioned: ChatGPT, Gemini, MagicSchool.ai, Class Companion, Brisk Teaching

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 Creating an AI policy for your homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, host Meryl van der Merwe is joined by two of FundaFunda Academy’s language teachers—Sebastian (French) and Suzette (Spanish)—to discuss how media can enhance the foreign language learning experience.

You’ll discover:

How music supports vocabulary retention and pronunciation
How to use movies and subtitles strategically as students progress
Great podcast and website recommendations for Spanish and French learners
How to turn your phone settings into a language-learning tool
Why apps like Radio Garden Live are both educational and fun
How these tools also build cultural understanding alongside language fluency

Sebastian and Suzette share not only their favorite resources but also practical strategies they use with their students at FundaFunda Academy to make learning a new language immersive and engaging.

Whether you’re learning a foreign language at home or looking to enrich a formal curriculum, this episode offers easy, mostly free ways to bring the target language to life.

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

FundaFunda Academy’s French and Spanish Classes

SpanishListening.org

Radio Garden Live

Michael Harper’s Spanish Podcast

Coffee Break French

TV5Monde and RFI (Radio France Internationale)

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 Media in Foreign Language Learning appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

 In this episode, guest Mariselle Gonzalez, a former semiconductor engineer, talks about engineering exploration at home. She offers practical ways homeschool parents can spark their child’s interest in engineering—no tech degree required!

What We Cover in This Episode:

Mariselle’s journey from electrical engineering to teaching and curriculum design

The many different types of engineering beyond mechanical and civil (think photonics, semiconductors, environmental, aerospace, and even prompt engineering!)

Simple, hands-on ways to introduce engineering at home through baking, building forts, and using tinker boxes

How to identify STEM/engineering aptitude in your child (hint: curiosity is key!)

Encouraging problem-solving and critical thinking—even without a technical background

Low-cost materials and DIY engineering tools you can gather for home use

Recommended books, websites, YouTube channels, and kits that inspire creativity and engineering exploration

Resources Mentioned:

NASA STEM Activities

TeachEngineering.org

Mark Rober YouTube Channel

Sean Connolly’s The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science

Scratch Programming (Free tool) plus FundaFunda’s Scratch programming class

PhET Interactive Simulations

How to Code a Sandcastle (book)

Rosie Revere, Engineer (book)

The Way Things Work Now by David Macaulay

National Geographic STEM kits

Lego STEM sets

FundaFunda Academy’s curated STEM resources list on Amazon 

Learn More About the Course Mariselle offers:

Discover lesser-known engineering fields

Explore course paths and careers in each specialty

Engage in fun, hands-on activities with everyday materials

Develop critical thinking and design-thinking skills

Bonus for younger students: Check out FundaFunda’s Simple Machines Unit Study and other science unit studies for grades 4–8.

Mariselle has also provided a resource list with more ideas for parents.

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 Engineering Exploration at Home appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In this episode, host Meryl van der Merwe revisits a topic she first explored back in episode 41 — scavenger hunts! But this time, she brings fresh insights from her recent European adventures, where she completed three different app-based scavenger hunts in Belgium and France.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

How digital scavenger hunts work and what makes them so engaging

Why these hunts are perfect for multi-generational learning

How they combine exercise, fun, and education in one immersive experience

Meryl’s experiences using:

ScavengerHunt.com

Explorial.com

Landing Zone (a location-based Normandy WWII hunt)

QuestoApp.com (recommended by FundaFunda’s Spanish teacher Suzette)

How scavenger hunts can reveal hidden gems even in cities you’ve lived in for years

Tips for using these hunts during vacations or staycations

Her plans to create digital scavenger hunts using Google Street View — and how you can be a tester or suggest a city!

Resources mentioned:

Blog post about ScavengerHunt.com

Explorial scavenger hunts

Questo app

FundaFunda Academy’s Visual Literacy class

Episode on using Google Maps for learning

Want to help test a digital scavenger hunt or suggest a city?

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 Scavenger Hunts That Bring Local History to Life appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Use AI to kickstart creativity—yes, it’s possible! In this episode, Meryl van der Merwe shares seven practical ways she uses AI tools like ChatGPT to spark and support creative thinking. Hopefully, this will give you ideas on how you can use AI as a helpful collaborator when you’re stuck or overwhelmed.

Topics Covered:

Why AI isn’t truly creative—but can still inspire you

Brainstorming podcast, blog, and social media content

Getting help with catchy titles and outlines

Using AI to structure new classes and unit studies

Creating graphics and visual content

Designing engaging, interactive lesson plans (like a gas shortage simulation!)

Even getting help in the kitchen with meal planning

Supporting kids’ storytelling with AI-generated characters

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 I Use AI to Kickstart Creativity appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Teaching students to navigate social media is more important than ever as teens face a constant stream of information, misinformation, and online pressures. In this episode, Meryl Van der Merwe is joined by returning guest Stephanie Simoes, founder of CritiKid, a platform dedicated to teaching kids critical thinking.

Stephanie shares:

Common social media challenges for teens: pseudoscience, scams, clickbait, unhealthy comparisons, and more

Why trying to shield your kids from social media isn’t enough—and what to do instead

A fascinating study about how studying misinformation can actually strengthen critical thinking

Her “Three Tab Method” to fact-check what you see online

How to turn your own social media feed into a teaching tool

We also introduce Stephanie’s new Social Media Simulator, a safe, interactive platform to help students identify manipulative content and logical fallacies

Resources mentioned:

Stephanie’s article: Turning Misinformation into Education

CritiKid website

Fact-checking search engine by Media Smarts

The Critical Thinking for the Digital Age course: FundaFunda Academy Self-Paced Courses

Where to find Stephanie  (@critikid)

Instagram

Facebook

Youtube

TikTok

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 Teaching Students to Navigate Social Media appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In this episode, Meryl chats with homeschool mom, Melody Durham, who shares the tech tools that have helped her dyslexic high schooler succeed. From smart pens to speech-to-text software, Melody explains what’s worked, why it’s made a difference, and how to advocate for your student in homeschool and classroom settings.

Topics Covered:

Why Melody began homeschooling her daughter with dyslexia

Tools recommended by the Yale Center for Dyslexia

Dictation tools: Microsoft Word vs Google Docs, and the importance of a good microphone

Audiobooks: Chirp Books (budget-friendly) and Bookshare (free for qualified students)

Built-in screen readers in Chrome and Edge for reading online articles aloud

Tips for working with co-op or online teachers and advocating for needed accommodations

Mentioned Resources:

Parents: Don’t forget to communicate your student’s learning needs with co-op or online class teachers—they’re often more than willing to help!

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 Useful Technology in Homeschooling Special Needs High Schoolers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.