The Wired Homeschool

The Wired Homeschool

By John WilkersonTechnologyEducationKids & FamilyHow ToEducation for Kids
Download on the App Store

The Wired Homeschool episodes

  • Recycling and Re-Using Old Tech – WHS 203
    As Christmas approaches, many of us are going to have tech that is either broken or going to be replaced because it’s too old. Disposing of it responsibly can be difficult.
    For the purpose of this podcast, we’ll assume that you’ve decided not to repurpose the old tech yourself. If you’re like me, you probably have a lot of old tech sitting around already that you’re going to use again “some day”.
    Here are some ways you can recycle or reuse old tech.
    Functional Tech
    If the tech you have is still functional just throwing it out is wasteful. Any tech that has a little life in it could still be used. Just because that 5 year old laptop isn’t up to par for your uses, someone else could still make use of it. Here are some ideas.

    * Donate It – Charities like Goodwill will take your old usable tech but consider find a specific local charity that could use it.
    * Sell It – Swappa, eBay, and Craigslist are good ways to make a little spare money from old tech that’s still usable.
    * Trade-In – Some retailers and manufacturers allow you to trade-in your old tech to get a discount when purchasing new products.
    * Recycle It – There are a number of different ways you can recycle old tech, we’ll talk about those in the next list.

    Non-Functional Tech
    If you have tech that doesn’t work, you could try and sell the parts and recycle any leftover components but that takes a lot of time and for most people is too much of a hassle. The easiest way to get rid of old tech is to recycle it. The three places you can usually recycle tech are:

    * Retail Outlets – Staples, Best Buy, and other major retail outlets all have recycling programs.
    * State and County Recycling Centers – Consult your state and county websites to see if they have a tech recycling program and how you can participate.
    * Manufacturers – Apple, Dell, and other major computer manufacturers all have recycling programs.

    Before donating any technology, make sure your personal data has been removed. I often remove my hard drives and recycle them separately. Before recycling a hard drive, always use a data wiping tool like DBAN to overwrite all of your old data.
    New Live-Streaming Features
    Instagram Live Video – Live stories disappear after you’re finished broadcasting. No replays. Followers have to be on Instagram when you’re broadcasting.
    Twitter Live – Works like Periscope. People on Twitter and Periscope can watch and comment. Shows up in Twitter feed. Good for reuse.

    Twitter #GoLive for Homeschooling https://t.co/QKZ7AxDdZy
    — Wired Homeschool 📚 (@wiredhs) December 19, 2016





    If you enjoyed this episode of The Wired Homeschool, consider supporting the podcast by buying me a coffee.



    Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more.



    Music for the podcast is “RetroFuture Clean” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/



    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post a...
    21 min
  • 10 Internet Safety Tips for Teens and Tweens

    Sometimes being on the Internet is like driving into oncoming traffic. It’s bad enough there are potholes, reckless drivers, and traffic jams to deal with when making your way down the “information superhighway” (bonus points for 90s tech references) but if you’re not careful you and your kids can inadvertently swerve into oncoming traffic.

    Following simple safety tips will keep you safe on the real roads and these 10 Internet safety tips for teens and tweens will keep you and your kids safe on your digital drive.

    1. Think before you post.
    2. Respect other people online, and avoid gossip.
    3. Ask for permission before you meet online friends in person.
    4. Don’t feed cyberbullies—block the sender, ignore mean messages, file a report with the website or police.
    5. Speak up if you see someone getting bullied.
    6. Clean up your profile, eliminate your page of everything too personal, embarrassing, and illegal.
    7. Use privacy settings.
    8. Monitor what others post about you.
    9. Keep adults in the loop—tell them when you add new sites, new friends, or see something suspicious or harmful.
    10. Use your voice for good—use social media to do something productive for you or a cause.

    How do you keep your kids safe online?

    If you found value in these ideas, maybe consider buying me a coffee? Even though new episodes aren’t actively being made, there are still costs for hosting and maintaining the website. You can also follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms.

    And just so you know, some links you might see are “affiliate links,” meaning if you click and buy, I might get a commission. Sometimes I even get free samples to review, all disclosed transparently.

    Music for the podcast is “RetroFuture Clean” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    16 min
  • How to Get More Mileage Out of Your Older Devices – WHS 201

    Device manufacturers want us to buy new smartphones and tablets every year. Sometimes we need to buy a new phone but other times there a less expensive alternatives to buying the latest and greatest.
    In this episode of The Wired Homeschool I shared six ways you can get more mileage out of your older devices.

    Thanks to all the individual patrons who have supported the podcast. Special thanks go out to Matt Kamla, Lori Silsbee, Winston Crutchfield, & Aaron Hughey.
    1. Repair the device.
    The primary reason you may want to replace your smartphone or tablet is because the screen is damaged. A damaged touchscreen can cause all kinds of weird problems like items being tapped, camera distortion, and it can even drain your battery. It’s also painful if you get little slivers of glass in your fingers. Repairing a screen is a fraction of the cost of a new device and can solve many weird symptoms your phone or tablet is exhibiting. There’s probably a local computer repair shop that can replace your screen for about $150. If you’re the adventurous type, you can save a little money and repair it yourself.
    2. Clean your device.
    Over the years of owning a smartphone or tablet, a lot of dust and debris can end up in the headphone jack and charging ports of your device. Cleaning these ports will reduce the likelihood of a malfunction and you may actually fix that niggling problem you had with the headphone jack. The best way to do this is with a toothpick. Use it to gently dislodge all the gunk in the ports of your device. You can also try using some compressed air but be careful because you may just drive debris further into the device.
    3. Condition or replace the battery.
    Battery maintenance isn’t something most people think about when purchasing a smartphone or tablet. Depending on the manufacturer, your battery may not be replaceable. If you’re seeing shorter battery life than you used to out of your old devices there are a couple of culprits. First, batteries just wear out over time so you can’t expect them to hold a charge as long as when they were new. Second, if you’re someone who likes to keep their battery fully charged all the time, you’re doing it a disservice. You can improve your battery life by occasionally letting it run out completely and then recharging it fully.
    4. Install the latest updates.
    Let’s face it, software updates are a pain in the neck. You have to wait for the update to download, then install it, and sometimes some of your configuration settings are lost, the electrons just disappear. However, software updates are a necessary evil. You really need to do them, especially OS updates. Many times these updates address security flaws and often they also address performance issues. If you really don’t want to sit around and wait for your OS to update, you can schedule the update to occur overnight.
    5. Perform a factory reset.
    This is the nuclear option. It’s going to wipe your phone or tablet to the condition it was in when you bought it. You’ll need to reconfigure the device from scratch. While this sounds intimidating, it’s really not. If you’ve backed up your personal data and apps you’ll find it isn’t so bad. A factory reset will often eliminate any weird problems that you’ve been having. Resetting to factory defaults removes all of your settings and any settings that may be lingering from old apps. Don’t forget to reconfigure any parental controls is this a device your children use.
    6. Manage your storage better.
    I often want to get a new phone because I’ve run out of storage. I’m cheap so I always buy the iPhone with the least amount of storage and I always ...
    24 min
  • How to Get More Mileage Out of Your Older Devices – WHS 201

    Device manufacturers want us to buy new smartphones and tablets every year. Sometimes we need to buy a new phone but other times there a less expensive alternatives to buying the latest and greatest.
    In this episode of The Wired Homeschool I shared six ways you can get more mileage out of your older devices.

    Thanks to all the individual patrons who have supported the podcast. Special thanks go out to Matt Kamla, Lori Silsbee, Winston Crutchfield, & Aaron Hughey.
    1. Repair the device.
    The primary reason you may want to replace your smartphone or tablet is because the screen is damaged. A damaged touchscreen can cause all kinds of weird problems like items being tapped, camera distortion, and it can even drain your battery. It’s also painful if you get little slivers of glass in your fingers. Repairing a screen is a fraction of the cost of a new device and can solve many weird symptoms your phone or tablet is exhibiting. There’s probably a local computer repair shop that can replace your screen for about $150. If you’re the adventurous type, you can save a little money and repair it yourself.
    2. Clean your device.
    Over the years of owning a smartphone or tablet, a lot of dust and debris can end up in the headphone jack and charging ports of your device. Cleaning these ports will reduce the likelihood of a malfunction and you may actually fix that niggling problem you had with the headphone jack. The best way to do this is with a toothpick. Use it to gently dislodge all the gunk in the ports of your device. You can also try using some compressed air but be careful because you may just drive debris further into the device.
    3. Condition or replace the battery.
    Battery maintenance isn’t something most people think about when purchasing a smartphone or tablet. Depending on the manufacturer, your battery may not be replaceable. If you’re seeing shorter battery life than you used to out of your old devices there are a couple of culprits. First, batteries just wear out over time so you can’t expect them to hold a charge as long as when they were new. Second, if you’re someone who likes to keep their battery fully charged all the time, you’re doing it a disservice. You can improve your battery life by occasionally letting it run out completely and then recharging it fully.
    4. Install the latest updates.
    Let’s face it, software updates are a pain in the neck. You have to wait for the update to download, then install it, and sometimes some of your configuration settings are lost, the electrons just disappear. However, software updates are a necessary evil. You really need to do them, especially OS updates. Many times these updates address security flaws and often they also address performance issues. If you really don’t want to sit around and wait for your OS to update, you can schedule the update to occur overnight.
    5. Perform a factory reset.
    This is the nuclear option. It’s going to wipe your phone or tablet to the condition it was in when you bought it. You’ll need to reconfigure the device from scratch. While this sounds intimidating, it’s really not. If you’ve backed up your personal data and apps you’ll find it isn’t so bad. A factory reset will often eliminate any weird problems that you’ve been having. Resetting to factory defaults removes all of your settings and any settings that may be lingering from old apps. Don’t forget to reconfigure any parental controls is this a device your children use.
    6. Manage your storage better.
    I often want to get a new phone because I’ve run out of storage. I’m cheap so I always buy the iPhone with the least amount of storage and I always ...
    24 min
  • Apple iPhone 7 Event Summary – WHS 200
    Apple’s recent press event was met with the anticipation one would normally expect despite leaked details about the new iPhone 7. Many rumors were confirmed and some were clearly found to be false. What, if anything, can homeschoolers take away from the announcement?
    Sponsor: Visit K12.com/LISTEN or call (855)-628-9529 for more information.
    Thanks to all the individual patrons who have supported the podcast. Special thanks go out to Matt Kamla, Lori Silsbee, Winston Crutchfield, & Aaron Hughey.
    Which iPad Should Someone Buy for Homeschooling?
    Darren wants to know which iPad would be better for homeschooling, the standard 9.7″ one or the iPad Pro? Check out episode 164 for a more detailed answer.
    Apple iPhone 7 Event Summary
    The biggest surprise was the announcement of Super Mario Run for iOS. iOS and Nintendo fans have wanted a legal way to play Mario on their iPhone for years and it finally arrived in the form of a side-scrolling runner game.
    Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto (the creator or Mario) made the announcement himself both in English and Japanese. There was also a brief demonstration of the gameplay. Super Mario Run is scheduled to be released in December 2016.
    Keeping with the popularity of gaming on iPhone, Niantic announced that Pokémon GO would be coming to the Apple Watch. There was a demonstration of the interface and gameplay along with a short plug for the Pokémon GO.
    The biggest change to the Apple Watch (besides a processor and screen upgrade) is that the new Series 2 will be water resistant up to 50 meters. Battery life and price remain the same. What is being called the Series 1 Apple Watch gets a price drop from $369 to $269 which is a hefty price to have Pokémon GO on your wrist.
    After much hoopla, we finally heard about the iPhone 7. Many of the rumors that had be swirling around Apple’s flagship device were true. The iPhone 7 Plus is getting dual cameras. The standard 3.5mm headphone jack has been eliminated in favor of Lightning Port or wireless headphones. Also, storage has (finally) been doubled on all of the devices.
    Additionally, the iPhone 7 is now splash and water resistant. This means you can drop your phone in the toilet and it shouldn’t get damaged. The IP67 certification means it can be submerged in water under 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. Keep in mind, these specifications are tested in a lab and don’t reflect how the device will perform in the “real world”.
    There was some talk about iOS 10 but noting really stood out to me. I’m still waiting for Apple to announce a method to have multiple users on an iPad as I think that in an educational and home environment this would be very beneficial.
    Education was briefly discussed but I didn’t see anything that would make homeschoolers excited. I’m sure as the release date for iOS 10 approaches, we’ll get more news about the application of the new iPhones and operating system to education.
    Should You Wait to Upgrade to iOS 10?
    Despite early reports of iPhones crashing after updating to iOS 10, I went ahead and upgraded the day after it was available. I asked you if you’d upgraded yet and some of you had already made the jump.
    Tips for Upgrading Your iPhone’s OS

    * Verify compatibility of key apps.
    * Backup everything first.
    * Update any apps.
    19 min
  • Apple iPhone 7 Event Summary – WHS 200
    Apple’s recent press event was met with the anticipation one would normally expect despite leaked details about the new iPhone 7. Many rumors were confirmed and some were clearly found to be false. What, if anything, can homeschoolers take away from the announcement?
    Sponsor: Visit K12.com/LISTEN or call (855)-628-9529 for more information.
    Thanks to all the individual patrons who have supported the podcast. Special thanks go out to Matt Kamla, Lori Silsbee, Winston Crutchfield, & Aaron Hughey.
    Which iPad Should Someone Buy for Homeschooling?
    Darren wants to know which iPad would be better for homeschooling, the standard 9.7″ one or the iPad Pro?
    Apple iPhone 7 Event Summary
    The biggest surprise was the announcement of Super Mario Run for iOS. iOS and Nintendo fans have wanted a legal way to play Mario on their iPhone for years and it finally arrived in the form of a side-scrolling runner game.
    Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto (the creator or Mario) made the announcement himself both in English and Japanese. There was also a brief demonstration of the gameplay. Super Mario Run is scheduled to be released in December 2016.
    Keeping with the popularity of gaming on iPhone, Niantic announced that Pokémon GO would be coming to the Apple Watch. There was a demonstration of the interface and gameplay along with a short plug for the Pokémon GO.
    The biggest change to the Apple Watch (besides a processor and screen upgrade) is that the new Series 2 will be water resistant up to 50 meters. Battery life and price remain the same. What is being called the Series 1 Apple Watch gets a price drop from $369 to $269 which is a hefty price to have Pokémon GO on your wrist.
    After much hoopla, we finally heard about the iPhone 7. Many of the rumors that had be swirling around Apple’s flagship device were true. The iPhone 7 Plus is getting dual cameras. The standard 3.5mm headphone jack has been eliminated in favor of Lightning Port or wireless headphones. Also, storage has (finally) been doubled on all of the devices.
    Additionally, the iPhone 7 is now splash and water resistant. This means you can drop your phone in the toilet and it shouldn’t get damaged. The IP67 certification means it can be submerged in water under 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. Keep in mind, these specifications are tested in a lab and don’t reflect how the device will perform in the “real world”.
    There was some talk about iOS 10 but noting really stood out to me. I’m still waiting for Apple to announce a method to have multiple users on an iPad as I think that in an educational and home environment this would be very beneficial.
    Education was briefly discussed but I didn’t see anything that would make homeschoolers excited. I’m sure as the release date for iOS 10 approaches, we’ll get more news about the application of the new iPhones and operating system to education.
    Should You Wait to Upgrade to iOS 10?
    Despite early reports of iPhones crashing after updating to iOS 10, I went ahead and upgraded the day after it was available. I asked you if you’d upgraded yet and some of you had already made the jump.
    Tips for Upgrading Your iPhone’s OS

    * Verify compatibility of key apps.
    * Backup everything first.
    * Update any apps.
    * Use iTunes to perform the upgrade.


    Connect Socially!

    * Join the F...
    19 min
  • 5 Dangers to Avoid in Digital Homeschooling – WHS 199

    Parents choosing to homeschool in this digital age can sometimes get overwhelmed with all of the devices, apps, and software that can be used to educate their children at home.
    Avoiding these five key dangers in digital homeschooling can save you time, money, and sanity.
    Sponsor: Visit K12.com/LISTEN or call (855)-628-9529 for more information.
    Thanks to all the individual patrons who have supported the podcast. Special thanks go out to Matt Kamla, Lori Silsbee, Winston Crutchfield, & Aaron Hughey.
    5 Dangers to Avoid in Digital Homeschooling
    1. Upgrading devices more often than necessary.
    If you’re like me, you always want the latest and the greatest. It’s nice to have more storage, more speed, more anything when it comes to technology. However, many times the last version or two previous versions of a device or software will work just fine. Knowing when it’s time upgrade is tough but you should balance your desire to have something new with what you need.
    2. “Edutainment” apps that are more entertaining than educational.
    I get a lot of requests to review apps. Sometimes developers try to sell their app as educational when, in fact, it’s far from the truth. Be wary of apps that claim to be educational and entertain.
    3. Purchasing modular apps or apps that require micro-payments.
    This one drives me nuts! I purchase an inexpensive app of download one for free and my kids get bombarded with either ads or enticed to upgrade. Another thing I can’t stand is when developers have modules for their apps. I’d rather pay one price for the app up front and not have to worry about advertising or being enticed to upgrade the app.
    4. Too much screen time, especially for young children.
    I like to refer to this a “screen creep”. Since our kids are using computers, tablets, smartphones, and other devices it’s possible for them to spend many hours in front of a screen. Try to break up the screen time or have “screen-free” times of the day. Have them get up from the couch or computer and go outside and play or do something that doesn’t involve a screen like a puzzle or board game.
    5. Not understanding the technology your kids are using.
    This is the biggest mistake I’ve seen. I’ve gotten questions from parents who bought something for their kids and want to know how to enable the parental controls. Before you buy a device, make sure you know how to use it and and how you want your kids to use it. It will alleviate a lot of frustration.

    Connect Socially!

    * Join the Facebook page
    * Follow @wiredhs
    //
    * Circle on Google Plus
    * Follow John Wilkerson



    Leave a Voicemail
    You can call 518-290-0228 to leave me a message or use this convenient widget to record a message right from your computer.

    Etc.
    Want to be notified of any upcoming news regarding the podcast or if I’m speaking in your area? Join my spam-free mailing list. You’ll receive monthly updates and news about future projects and I’ll let you know if I’m spe...
    20 min
  • 5 Dangers to Avoid in Digital Homeschooling – WHS 199

    Parents choosing to homeschool in this digital age can sometimes get overwhelmed with all of the devices, apps, and software that can be used to educate their children at home.
    Avoiding these five key dangers in digital homeschooling can save you time, money, and sanity.
    Sponsor: Visit K12.com/LISTEN or call (855)-628-9529 for more information.
    Thanks to all the individual patrons who have supported the podcast. Special thanks go out to Matt Kamla, Lori Silsbee, Winston Crutchfield, & Aaron Hughey.
    5 Dangers to Avoid in Digital Homeschooling
    1. Upgrading devices more often than necessary.
    If you’re like me, you always want the latest and the greatest. It’s nice to have more storage, more speed, more anything when it comes to technology. However, many times the last version or two previous versions of a device or software will work just fine. Knowing when it’s time upgrade is tough but you should balance your desire to have something new with what you need.
    2. “Edutainment” apps that are more entertaining than educational.
    I get a lot of requests to review apps. Sometimes developers try to sell their app as educational when, in fact, it’s far from the truth. Be wary of apps that claim to be educational and entertain.
    3. Purchasing modular apps or apps that require micro-payments.
    This one drives me nuts! I purchase an inexpensive app of download one for free and my kids get bombarded with either ads or enticed to upgrade. Another thing I can’t stand is when developers have modules for their apps. I’d rather pay one price for the app up front and not have to worry about advertising or being enticed to upgrade the app.
    4. Too much screen time, especially for young children.
    I like to refer to this a “screen creep”. Since our kids are using computers, tablets, smartphones, and other devices it’s possible for them to spend many hours in front of a screen. Try to break up the screen time or have “screen-free” times of the day. Have them get up from the couch or computer and go outside and play or do something that doesn’t involve a screen like a puzzle or board game.
    5. Not understanding the technology your kids are using.
    This is the biggest mistake I’ve seen. I’ve gotten questions from parents who bought something for their kids and want to know how to enable the parental controls. Before you buy a device, make sure you know how to use it and and how you want your kids to use it. It will alleviate a lot of frustration.

    Connect Socially!

    * Join the Facebook page
    * Follow @wiredhs
    //
    * Circle on Google Plus
    * Follow John Wilkerson



    Leave a Voicemail
    You can call 518-290-0228 to leave me a message or use this convenient widget to record a message right from your computer.

    Etc.
    Want to be notified of any upcoming news regarding the podcast or if I’m speaking in your area? Join my spam-free mailing list. You’ll receive monthly updates and news about future projects and I’ll let you know if I’m spe...
    20 min
  • Throwback Episode: Choosing a Tablet for Homeschooling – WHS 198

    Choosing a tablet for homeschooling can sometimes feel overwhelming. In this throwback episode, I’ll talk about the 7 things you need to know when choosing a tablet for homeschooling.
    Sponsor: Visit K12.com/LISTEN or call (855)-628-9529 for more information.
    Thanks to all the individual patrons who have supported the podcast. Special thanks go out to Matt Kamla, Lori Silsbee, Winston Crutchfield, & Aaron Hughey.
    7 Things to Consider When Buying a Tablet for Homeschooling

    * Purpose – Consider how you want to use the device. Will it be only for a single purpose or do you want something more versatile?
    * Storage – Do you want expandable storage? Will you be installing a lot of apps or downloading movies? Most Android tablets have expandable storage but how it can be used varies among devices.
    * Usage – Tablets are typically designed for one person. Will you share? Sharing is easier with Android and Microsoft.
    * Size – 7-inch screen or 10-inch screen (Kindle Fire falls between). Younger kids find the larger icons of a 10 inch tablet easier to manipulate but teens will have no problems with a 7 inch tablet.
    * Battery life – Most tablets get about 10 hrs of use from their battery but larger screens generally mean shorter battery life.
    * Wi-fi only or cellular? Having a cellular connection makes it more convenient to get connected to the Internet but increases the cost significantly because not only are you paying for the additional hardware but the data plan too.
    * Cost – Don’t forget to check for refurbished models. Refurbished iPads cost $50-$100 less but come with the same warranty.

    See the original post for more details.

    Connect Socially!

    * Join the Facebook page
    * Follow @wiredhs
    //
    * Circle on Google Plus
    * Follow John Wilkerson



    Leave a Voicemail
    You can call 518-290-0228 to leave me a message or use this convenient widget to record a message right from your computer.

    Etc.
    Want to be notified of any upcoming news regarding the podcast or if I’m speaking in your area? Join my spam-free mailing list. You’ll receive monthly updates and news about future projects and I’ll let you know if I’m speaking in your area at a homeschooling convention.
    The Wired Homeschool is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network. For more family-friendly tech podcasts visit techpodcasts.com
    Music for the podcast by Kevin Macleod.
    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement
    42 min
  • Throwback Episode: Choosing a Tablet for Homeschooling – WHS 198

    Choosing a tablet for homeschooling can sometimes feel overwhelming. In this throwback episode, I’ll talk about the 7 things you need to know when choosing a tablet for homeschooling.
    Sponsor: Visit K12.com/LISTEN or call (855)-628-9529 for more information.
    Thanks to all the individual patrons who have supported the podcast. Special thanks go out to Matt Kamla, Lori Silsbee, Winston Crutchfield, & Aaron Hughey.
    7 Things to Consider When Buying a Tablet for Homeschooling

    * Purpose – Consider how you want to use the device. Will it be only for a single purpose or do you want something more versatile?
    * Storage – Do you want expandable storage? Will you be installing a lot of apps or downloading movies? Most Android tablets have expandable storage but how it can be used varies among devices.
    * Usage – Tablets are typically designed for one person. Will you share? Sharing is easier with Android and Microsoft.
    * Size – 7-inch screen or 10-inch screen (Kindle Fire falls between). Younger kids find the larger icons of a 10 inch tablet easier to manipulate but teens will have no problems with a 7 inch tablet.
    * Battery life – Most tablets get about 10 hrs of use from their battery but larger screens generally mean shorter battery life.
    * Wi-fi only or cellular? Having a cellular connection makes it more convenient to get connected to the Internet but increases the cost significantly because not only are you paying for the additional hardware but the data plan too.
    * Cost – Don’t forget to check for refurbished models. Refurbished iPads cost $50-$100 less but come with the same warranty.

    See the original post for more details.

    Connect Socially!

    * Join the Facebook page
    * Follow @wiredhs
    //
    * Circle on Google Plus
    * Follow John Wilkerson



    Leave a Voicemail
    You can call 518-290-0228 to leave me a message or use this convenient widget to record a message right from your computer.

    Etc.
    Want to be notified of any upcoming news regarding the podcast or if I’m speaking in your area? Join my spam-free mailing list. You’ll receive monthly updates and news about future projects and I’ll let you know if I’m speaking in your area at a homeschooling convention.
    The Wired Homeschool is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network. For more family-friendly tech podcasts visit techpodcasts.com
    Music for the podcast by Kevin Macleod.
    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement
    42 min

About The Wired Homeschool

From the publisher's feed

Tech, tools, & tips for homeschooling the digital generation.