Homeschooling with Technology: Recent Episodes
Meryl van der Merwe
The Homeschooling with Technology Podcast is a weekly show, hosted by Meryl van der Merwe, where she shares ideas on how to use technology to be more productive as a homeschool parent and on how to use technology to make lessons more engaging. In addition, she covers techie skills your children need to learn and how to easily incorporate them into your homeschooling. Meryl homeschooled her 4 children after working as a computer programmer for many years. She uses technology whenever she can when teaching both live co-op classes and online classes for homeschoolers. In this podcast, she shares all the best tech resources she finds with you.
381: Summer Tech Challenge 8: Create a Video RecommendationVideo creation is becoming an essential skill for today’s students. In this episode, homeschool families are challenged to create a short recommendation video using Canva. Whether you’ve never edited a video before or you’re ready to build your skills, this challenge provides a simple way to get started while creating something useful to share with others.
Students / parents can recommend anything they enjoyed this summer—from books and games to museums, podcasts, travel destinations, or homeschool resources.
In this episode* Why video creation is a valuable college and career skill * Why Canva is an excellent beginner-friendly video editor * How to create a 30–60 second recommendation video * Ideas for topics to recommend * Ways to use images, stock photos, AI-generated images, and video clips * Adding text or recording a voiceover * How AI tools like ChatGPT can help when you get stuck * How to enter the Summer Tech Challenge
Summer Tech Challenge PromptCreate a 30–60 second recommendation video about something you enjoyed this summer.
Ideas include:
- A favorite book
- A board or card game
- A museum
- A vacation destination
- A podcast
- A homeschool resource
- Anything else you’d recommend to others
Use Canva to combine images, video clips, text, and/or a voiceover into a short video.
Mentioned in this episode* Canva for video creation * ChatGPT for troubleshooting while creating videos * FundaFunda Academy Computer Applications course (self-paced and teacher-graded options)
Entering the Summer ChallengeShare what you did in the challenge on one of the FundaFunda Education Instagram or Facebook posts or in one of these Facebook groups:
-
- Homeschooling with Technology
- Homeschooling Middle School
- Homeschooling College-Bound Teens
If you are not on social media, email your entry to meryl@fundafunda.com, and it can be shared on your behalf.
Each week, one participant will win a FundaFunda Academy unit study of their choice worth $20. Everyone who participates during the summer will also be entered into the grand prize drawing for a $50 gift card.
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 Summer Tech Challenge 8: Create a Video Recommendation appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
380: Summer Tech Challenge 7: Create a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure StoryIn this week’s Summer Tech Challenge, learn how to turn Google Slides into an interactive choose-your-own-adventure story. This activity combines creativity, planning, writing, and technology while giving students a fun way to present what they’ve learned.
In this episode* Why choose-your-own-adventure stories are such engaging learning projects * How this activity builds research, planning, and creative writing skills * Real classroom examples from FundaFunda Academy courses * Why Google Slides is an excellent tool for interactive storytelling * How to map out your story before building it * Creating hyperlinks between slides to allow readers to make choices
Summer Tech Challenge #7Create a summer-themed choose-your-own-adventure story using Google Slides.
Your story could include:
- A family vacation
- A trip to the beach
- A day at the pool
- Camping adventures
- Any original summer adventure you can imagine
Tips for Success* Plan the story on paper before opening Google Slides. * Create all of your slides first. * Use hyperlinks to connect choices to different slides. * Add images after the story structure is complete. * Remember that not every slide needs to offer a choice—some simply move the story forward.
Resources Mentioned* Google Slides * YouTube tutorial on creating choose-your-own-adventure stories with Google Slides
Entering the Summer ChallengeShare what you did in the challenge on one of the FundaFunda Education Instagram or Facebook posts or in one of these Facebook groups:
-
- Homeschooling with Technology
- Homeschooling Middle School
- Homeschooling College-Bound Teens
If you are not on social media, email your entry to meryl@fundafunda.com, and it can be shared on your behalf.
Each week, one participant will win a FundaFunda Academy unit study of their choice worth $20. Everyone who participates during the summer will also be entered into the grand prize drawing for a $50 gift card.
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
The post Summer Tech Challenge 7: Create a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Story appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
379: Summer Tech Challenge 6: Create a Custom MapDid you know you can create your own interactive Google map?
In this episode, you will learn about Google My Maps, a free Google tool that allows you to create personalized maps with locations, notes, photos, videos, colors, layers, and routes. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, documenting your travels, or creating a homeschool project, custom maps are a fun and practical way to organize information visually.
As part of the Summer Tech Challenge series, this week’s challenge is to create a Google My Map on any topic that interests you.
Ideas for Using Google My MapsTravel* Plan an upcoming vacation * Organize attractions, restaurants, hotels, hiking trails, and museums * Document a completed trip with photos and notes * Create an interactive travel journal to share with others
Homeschool Projects* Literary maps following the locations in a novel * History maps showing important events and battles * Geography projects * Family heritage and immigration maps * College visit planning * Local homeschool field trip guides * National park tracking
This Week’s ChallengeCreate a custom Google My Map on any topic that interests you.
Ideas include:
- A dream vacation
- A recent trip
- A book you’re reading
- Historical events
- Family history
- College visits
- National parks
- Local educational attractions
- Any topic that can be represented on a map
Resources* Google My Maps: https://www.google.com/mymaps * Google My Maps Help Center: https://support.google.com/mymaps * Youtube tutorial: https://youtu.be/NaShzdhOf5M?si=kX1w0IEWU7UrLhMx
Entering the Summer ChallengeShare what you did in the challenge on one of the FundaFunda Education Instagram or Facebook posts or in one of these Facebook groups:
-
- Homeschooling with Technology
- Homeschooling Middle School
- Homeschooling College-Bound Teens
If you are not on social media, email your entry to meryl@fundafunda.com, and it can be shared on your behalf.
Each week, one participant will win a FundaFunda Academy unit study of their choice worth $20. Everyone who participates during the summer will also be entered into the grand prize drawing for a $50 gift card.
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
The post Summer Tech Challenge 6: Create a Custom Map appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
378: Summer Tech Challenge #5 – Design Your Summer with PadletSummer is the perfect time to experiment with new technology without the pressure of a full school schedule. In this fifth installment of the Summer Tech Challenge, Meryl introduces one of her favorite educational tools: Padlet.
Whether you want to plan summer adventures, organize projects, create a travel journal, or build a digital portfolio, Padlet offers an easy and flexible way to collect ideas, photos, videos, documents, and more in one place.
This week’s challenge is simple: create a Padlet and discover how it could become one of your favorite tools for homeschooling.
In this episode* Why summer is a great time to explore new technology * What Padlet is and why it’s one of Meryl’s favorite educational tools * How Padlet works as a collaborative digital bulletin board * Ideas for creating a summer activity brainstorming board * Using Kanban boards to organize projects and tasks * Creating a visual travel journal or photo collection * Using Padlet as a digital student portfolio * How to get started with Padlet’s templates, Gallery, and Learn section * Tips for collaborating with family members or homeschool groups
This Week’s ChallengeCreate a free Padlet and use it to document or plan part of your summer. Some ideas include:
- Brainstorm summer activities
- Organize a family project
- Create a vacation photo board
- Track books you’ve read
- Build a simple digital portfolio
- Plan goals or hobbies for the rest of the summer
Then share a screenshot or describe what you created on one of FundaFunda Academy’s social media posts about this episode for a chance to win.
GiveawayEach week, one participant will be randomly selected to win a FundaFunda Academy Unit Study of their choice.
At the end of the Summer Tech Challenge, one grand prize winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card.
Resources Mentioned* Padlet – https://padlet.com * Padlet Learn – https://padlet.com/learn * Padlet Gallery – https://padlet.com/gallery
Entering the Summer ChallengeShare what you did in the challenge on one of the FundaFunda Education Instagram or Facebook posts or in one of these Facebook groups:
-
- Homeschooling with Technology
- Homeschooling Middle School
- Homeschooling College-Bound Teens
If you are not on social media, email your entry to meryl@fundafunda.com and it can be shared on your behalf.
Each week, one participant will win a FundaFunda Academy unit study of their choice worth $20. Everyone who participates during the summer will also be entered into the grand prize drawing for a $50 gift card.
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
The post Summer Tech Challenge # 5: Design Your Summer appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
377: Summer Tech Challenge 4: Create a Summer Tracker with Google SheetsIn the fourth installment of the Summer Tech Challenge, Meryl encourages homeschool parents and teens to explore one of the most useful productivity tools available: Google Sheets.
Many students today have limited experience with spreadsheets, yet they are an invaluable tool for organizing information, tracking data, budgeting, planning projects, and creating charts. In this episode, Meryl challenges listeners to learn the basics of Google Sheets and then use it to track something meaningful during the summer.
Whether you’re completely new to spreadsheets or already have some experience, this challenge can be adapted to your skill level.
In This Episode* Why spreadsheet skills are valuable for homeschoolers and parents * How Google Sheets can be used beyond calculations and formulas * Easy ways to organize information using spreadsheets * Ideas for summer tracking projects * Using AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude to learn spreadsheet skills * How to participate in the Summer Tech Challenge
Summer Tracker IdeasCreate a Google Sheet to track:
- Books read during the summer
- Family reading challenges
- Travel expenses and vacation budgets
- Summer activities and outings
- Homeschool planning for the coming year
- Savings goals
- Gift and holiday spending
- Personal projects and goals
Helpful Resources=> The high school activity tracker mentioned in this episode – it will force you to make a copy you can then edit and fill out.
This Week’s ChallengeComplete the challenge and share your project for a chance to win prizes. You can:
- Share a description of your spreadsheet
- Post a screenshot
- Share a template you’ve created
Entering the Summer ChallengeShare what you did in the challenge on one of the FundaFunda Education Instagram or Facebook posts or in one of these Facebook groups:
-
- Homeschooling with Technology
- Homeschooling Middle School
- Homeschooling College-Bound Teens
If you are not on social media, email your entry to meryl@fundafunda.com and it can be shared on your behalf.
Each week, one participant will win a FundaFunda Academy unit study of their choice worth $20. Everyone who participates during the summer will also be entered into the grand prize drawing for a $50 gift card.
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
The post Summer Tech Challenge # 4: Create a Summer Tracker appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
376: Summer Tech Challenge 3: Explore Google Arts and CultureThis week’s challenge is simple: explore Google Arts & Culture and discover something new.
Whether you enjoy art, history, geography, museums, or interactive games, Google Arts & Culture offers countless opportunities for learning and exploration. From virtual museum tours to historical exhibits, famous artworks, cultural landmarks, and educational games, there is something for every age and interest.
In This Episode* Exploring virtual museum tours from around the world * Discovering historical sites, artwork, and cultural treasures * Using Google Arts & Culture to enrich homeschool lessons * Finding resources for history, art, geography, and more * Exploring educational games and interactive experiences
Resources Mentioned* Google Arts & Culture
This Week’s Challenge1. Visit Google Arts & Culture. 2. Set a timer for 15 minutes. 3. Explore a museum, historical site, artwork, game, or cultural experience. 4. Consider how you might use it in your homeschool. 5. Share what you discovered on social media or by email for a chance to win a FundaFunda Academy unit study.
Entering the Summer ChallengeShare your favorite Google Arts and Culture Activity on one of the FundaFunda Education Instagram or Facebook posts
or in one of these Facebook groups:
-
- Homeschooling with Technology
- Homeschooling Middle School
- Homeschooling College-Bound Teens
If you are not on social media, email your quiz link to meryl@fundafunda.com and it can be shared on your behalf.
Each week, one participant will win a FundaFunda Academy unit study of their choice worth $20. Everyone who participates during the summer will also be entered into the grand prize drawing for a $50 gift card.
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
The post Summer Tech Challenge #3: Explore Google Arts and Culture appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
375: Summer Tech Challenge #2 – Create a Trivia GameThis week’s summer challenge is to create a trivia game. Students can choose any topic, educational or just for fun, and create a quiz with 10–20 questions. The quiz should use multiple choice, matching, or another format where players select answers on-screen. Episode 83 covers some tools not mentioned in this episode.
Creating quizzes helps students review material in an active way while also building tech skills. Students can make quizzes for friends, siblings, or family members, or families can create one together.
Suggested Tools* Google Forms: https://docs.google.com/forms/ * Kahoot: https://create.kahoot.it/ * Blooket: https://www.blooket.com/ * Sporcle: https://www.sporcle.com/create/ * Canva Code: https://www.canva.com/ai-code-generator/ * ClassTools (Pac-Man Quiz Generator): https://www.classtools.net/ * Padlet Arcade: https://padlet.com/arcade
Helpful Tutorials* How to Create a Blooket Question Set: https://help.blooket.com/hc/en-us/articles/16289513807383-How-to-Create-a-Blooket-Question-Set * How to Create a Kahoot: https://kahoot.com/blog/2021/01/28/how-to-create-kahoot-tips-teachers/
Students may use AI to help generate questions, but they should carefully check all answers for accuracy and test the game before sharing it.
Canva Game Creator ContestStudents in grades 6–12 can also enter the Canva Game Creator Contest:
https://www.fundafundaacademy.com/product/game-creation-contest/
Entering the Summer ChallengeOnce your quiz is complete, share the link on one of the FundaFunda Education Instagram or Facebook posts
or in one of these Facebook groups:
-
- Homeschooling with Technology
- Homeschooling Middle School
- Homeschooling College-Bound Teens
If you are not on social media, email your quiz link to meryl@fundafunda.com and it can be shared on your behalf.
Each week, one participant will win a FundaFunda Academy unit study of their choice worth $20. Everyone who participates during the summer will also be entered into the grand prize drawing for a $50 gift card.
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
The post Summer Tech Challenge #2 : Create a Trivia Game appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
374: Summer Tech Challenge #1: AI Trip PlanningThis summer, Homeschooling with Technology is launching a fun nine-week Summer Tech Challenge designed to help homeschool families explore technology together. Each Wednesday in June and July, you’ll receive a short challenge focused on building practical tech skills through hands-on activities.
The first challenge explores AI-powered trip planning. Families will use multiple AI tools to create and compare travel itineraries while developing research, critical thinking, evaluation, geography, and digital literacy skills.
The ChallengeStep 1: Choose a Trip ThemeSelect a travel theme that interests your family, such as:
- Tennessee history road trip
- Civil War sites
- National Parks Adventure
- STEM attractions tour
- Budget family getaway
- International dream vacation
- Food-focused travel experience
Step 2: Use at Least Three AI ToolsPossible tools include:
- ChatGPT
- Gemini
- Perplexity
- Claude
- Copilot
- Google Maps AI features
Create a detailed prompt that includes:
- Destination or theme
- Length of trip
- Number of travelers
- Ages of children
- Budget
- Starting location
Example:
“Plan a three-day Tennessee history-themed family trip for a family of four with two teens and a budget under $600 starting in Nashville.”
Step 3: Verify the ResultsCheck:
- Travel times and distances
- Attraction operating status
- Admission prices
- Route feasibility
- Accuracy of recommendations
Also conduct your own Google search to see whether you can discover attractions or ideas the AI tools missed.
Step 4: Compare the ResultsDiscuss:
- Which AI created the best itinerary?
- Which provided the most unique recommendations?
- Which stayed closest to budget?
- Which made mistakes or hallucinated information?
- Which best matched your chosen theme?
- Did your own research uncover better options?
How to EnterShare something you learned from the challenge, such as:
- Your favorite recommendation
- Which AI tool performed best
- A surprising discovery
- A screenshot of your results
Submit entries by:
- Commenting on the related Instagram or Facebook post
- Posting your own social media post and tagging @FundaFundaEducation
- Posting in one of the Facebook groups:
- Homeschooling with Technology
- Homeschooling Middle School
- Homeschooling College-Bound Teens
- Emailing meryl@fundafunda.com if you do not use social media to share it for you.
PrizesWeekly Prize
- One winner each week receives a FundaFunda Academy unit study of their choice.
Grand Prize
- One participant will win a $50 Amazon gift card at the end of the summer.
Resources* Sponsor: FundaFunda Academy * Instagram: @fundafundaeducation * Facebook: FundaFundaEducation
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
The post Summer Tech Challenge #1: AI Trip Planning appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
373: Game-based Learning with BoddleIn this episode, Meryl interviews sixth-grader Penny Laine Buschle about her experience using Boddle Learning, a free game-based learning platform for students in Kindergarten through sixth grade.
Rather than reviewing the platform only from an adult perspective, Meryl invited Penny Laine to spend time actually playing and learning inside Boddle so listeners could hear directly from a student using it.
Topics covered in this episode include:
- How Boddle works for parents and teachers
- Setting up a classroom and assigning subjects
- The three subject areas available: Math, Science, and English Language Arts
- Adjusting assignments by grade level
- Tracking student progress with built-in reports and graphs
- Avatar customization and rewards systems
- The different types of games available
- How quizzes and gameplay work together
- Why Boddle may be especially useful during summer break
- Penny Laine’s favorite game and what she learned while playing
Topics Penny Lane explored included:
- Moon phases
- Plant cells
- Human body systems
Meryl also shares details about:
- A free June and July educational activity calendar from FundaFunda Academy
- The upcoming summer podcast challenge with prizes and giveaways
If you use any of these ideas, come join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
The post Game-based Learning with Boddle appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
372: 4 Digital Tasks Before Summer Break: Homeschool Digital Organization TipsBefore summer break begins, take time to organize the digital side of your homeschool life. In this episode, Meryl shares four important homeschool digital organization tasks that can save time, reduce stress, and help you keep better records for high school, college applications, and family memories. Learn how to track activities and volunteer hours, organize student work, digitize physical projects, and create shared summer calendars that keep the whole family coordinated.
Topics Covered1. Create a Master Activities SpreadsheetKeep track of:
- Volunteer hours
- Camps and training programs
- Contests and competitions
- Awards and achievements
- Extracurricular activities
-
Books read independently
-
Organize Student Digital WorkUse tools like:
-
Google Drive
-
Shared folders
-
Digitize Physical Projects and Handwritten WorkIdeas include:
-
Photographing projects
- Uploading files into digital portfolios
-
Using tools such as:
- Padlet
- Seesaw
-
Set Up a Shared Summer CalendarUse a shared digital calendar to coordinate:
-
Camps
- Sleepovers
- Appointments
- Sports practices
- Family transportation
- College student schedules
Shared calendars can help reduce confusion and make summer logistics much easier for the whole family.
Summer Podcast Challenge Series AnnouncementThis summer, the podcast will feature short weekly tech challenges designed for homeschool families. Each challenge will:
- Take approximately 30–60 minutes
- Introduce useful digital tools or skills
- Include a way to participate online
Listeners can share completed projects on Facebook or Instagram for a chance to win:
- A FundaFunda Academy unit study each week
- A grand prize $50 Amazon gift card at the end of summer
If you use any of these ideas, come join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
The post 4 Digital Tasks Before Summer Break appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
371: Turning Summer Walks Into Learning ExperiencesIn this episode, Meryl shares how educational summer walks can become meaningful learning experiences for homeschoolers using simple apps and technology tools.
- Identify Birds with Merlin Bird IDMeryl discusses using Merlin Bird ID from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to identify birds while walking. The app can identify birds both by appearance and by sound.
Topics discussed:
- Identifying birds from photos
- Recording and identifying bird calls in real time
- How AI improves bird sound recognition
-
Contributing recordings to help improve identification accuracy
-
Identify Nature and Participate in Citizen ScienceQuick Identification* Google Lens for identifying plants, insects, bushes, and objects directly from a phone camera
Citizen Science for Younger Children* Seek by iNaturalist * Kid-friendly quests and badges * Easy identification of plants, fungi, insects, and animals
Citizen Science for Older Students* iNaturalist * Community-focused biodiversity tracking * Recording observations in different environments * Learning ecology, habitats, and biomes through real-world exploration
- Stargazing with Stellarium MobileStellarium Mobile is a tool for identifying objects in the night sky during evening walks.
Features include:
- Identifying stars and planets
- Viewing constellations
- Tracking satellites and the International Space Station
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Point-and-identify functionality using your phone
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Create a Digital Nature JournalCollect observations, photos, and notes from walks into a digital journal or family project.
Tools mentioned:
- Padlet
- Canva
- Google Sites
Ideas for journals:
- Upload photos
- Record locations
- Note how items were identified
-
Write reflections and observations
-
Add Fun and Find TrailsAdd a layer of fun by turning walks into Scavenger Hunts. ShowsponsorFundaFunda Academy offers a free printable nature scavenger hunt bingo activity for younger children.
AllTrails helps families:
- Find nearby hiking trails
- Check difficulty levels
- Read reviews from other hikers
- Plan routes appropriate for the whole family
If you use any of these ideas, come join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
The post Turning Summer Walks Into Learning Experiences appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
370: Teaching Tech Skills Through Family TravelHave you ever thought about turning family travel into a tech skills classroom? In this episode, Meryl shares practical ways to assign your teens real planning tasks before and during a trip — tasks that build digital literacy alongside life skills.
Ideas covered in this episode:
1. Pitch the Vacation Have each child research a destination and pitch it to the family using a slideshow (Canva, Google Slides). Slides should be visual, not text-heavy — they present, not read.
2. Research Activities with AI Have kids search with Google first, then repeat with ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini and compare results. Discuss why results differ, how to check accuracy, and how specific prompts (age range, cost, location) narrow results better than a keyword search.
3. Plan with Real Booking Sites Walk them through Google Flights vs. Kayak vs. airline sites. Teach them to look for hidden costs — baggage fees, seat selection, taxes. For hotels, have them consider breakfast, transit access, and proximity to your main activities. Discuss when a hotel makes more sense than Airbnb/Vrbo.
4. Budget Tracking with a Spreadsheet Set the budget yourself, then hand the tracking to them. Each day they log food, activities, souvenirs. Teach SUM and basic formulas. They’ll figure out fast what going over budget means for tomorrow.
5. Mapping and Route Planning Use Google Maps, Waze, or Apple Maps to plan daily driving distances and stops in advance. In the car, let them find gas stations, bathrooms, and lunch spots in real time. Give them the responsibility — and trust their answer.
6. Documenting the Trip Options range from simple (phone photos, daily journal) to polished (Canva scrapbook, Google Slides photo diary, Padlet board for sharing with family). For a longer trip outside summer, consider having them travel blog using Google Sites or Strikingly — combines writing, photography, and digital publishing into a credit-worthy project.
Links and resources mentioned:
- Canva — canva.com
- Google Slides
- Google Flights, Kayak
- Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps
- ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini
- Padlet — padlet.com
- Google Sites — sites.google.com
- Strikingly — strikingly.com
- Instagram: @fundafundaeducation
If you use any of these ideas, come join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
The post Teaching Tech Skills Through Family Travel appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
This is a rerun of episode 277 – you can find the original show notes here.
The post Replay: Finding and Using Online Classes for Homeschooling Effectively appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
369: Ways Grandparents and Kids Can Connect OnlineStaying connected across the miles doesn’t have to mean just phone calls. In this episode, Meryl shares five practical ways grandchildren and grandparents can build real relationships digitally — with the bonus that several of these also sneak in genuine learning.
- Reading together over video* Alternate reading pages or chapters.
- Add simple discussion questions to keep engagement.
- Works well for younger and middle school students.
- Tools: FaceTime, Zoom
- Shared digital board* Post photos, short updates, or schoolwork.
- Grandparents comment and ask questions asynchronously.
- Tool: Padlet ep 260 – Unlocking the Power of Padlet
- Playing online games together* Asynchronous or synchronous options
- Examples:
- Words With Friends
- Skribbl.io
- Drawsaurus
- Catan
- Watch together* Watch a short show, documentary, or YouTube video simultaneously.
- Use built-in screen sharing or watch-party tools.
- Pause occasionally to discuss.
- Tools: Zoom
- Collaborative storytelling* Start a shared story and take turns adding sections.
- Can be written or voice-recorded for younger kids.
- Tool: Google Docs
Links mentioned:* Episode 260: Unlocking the Power of Padlet * FundaFunda Academy Monthly Contests * May Contest: Vibe Coding with Canva (grades 6–12, $10 entry includes a $20 AI unit study) * Writing Fun class
If you use any of these ideas, come join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
The post Ways Grandparents and Kids Can Connect Online appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
368: AI Tips You Can Use This WeekIn this episode, Meryl shares a practical mix of AI tips you can implement right away.
What’s covered:
1. Ask Maps (Google Maps) Google Maps has a new AI feature called Ask Maps, currently rolling out. Instead of browsing categories, you can ask specific questions — gluten-free fast food nearby, a park within five minutes of a highway exit, a restaurant halfway between you and a friend. It understands your direction of travel and filters results accordingly.
2. Prompting — Where to Start If you’re new to AI tools and don’t know where to begin, start with purpose-built tools like Brisk (Chrome extension) or Magic School AI rather than jumping straight into ChatGPT or Claude. Both are designed for teachers but useful for homeschoolers, and they’ll give you a feel for what’s possible. Once you’re comfortable, you’ll likely want to move to the LLMs directly for more precise control.
3. Prompting — Leveling Up Be specific: give the AI a role, describe your outcome, set constraints (time, materials, age range, format). Then try this: tell it everything you can think of, and ask it what additional questions it needs answered. Letting the AI interview you often produces far better results than any prompt you’d write alone.
→ Grab the free list of 20 homeschool-specific prompts
4. Use One LLM to Prompt Another Before going into Gamma, Canva’s AI tools, NotebookLM, or any other AI-powered tool, go into ChatGPT or Claude first and ask it to write you the ideal prompt. Give it context, let it ask follow-up questions, then drop the finished prompt into your target tool. This works for custom Gems, vibe coding, slides — almost anything.
5. Connect Your LLM to Other Apps Both Claude and ChatGPT let you connect third-party tools like Canva and Gamma. Look for Connectors in Claude’s settings or the equivalent in ChatGPT.
6. Customize Your LLM’s Tone and Behavior Stop letting your AI flatter you. In ChatGPT, go to Settings → Personalization to adjust tone (Meryl chose “efficient,” turned down warmth and enthusiasm) and add custom instructions. In Claude, go to Settings → General and add your preferences.
Resources mentioned:
- Brisk
- Magic School AI
- Gamma
- Free prompts: 20 ChatGPT prompts for homeschool parents
If you use any of these resources, come join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
The post AI Tips You Can Use This Week appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
367: Exploring Space: Interactive Tools for Your HomeschoolThe Artemis 2 mission has four astronauts circling the moon right now, and it’s a perfect time to bring space exploration into your homeschool. In this episode, learn about free (and nearly free) tools organized into four categories: learn and explore, games and interactives, simulations, and citizen science.
Track the Artemis Mission (timely links)
- NASA’s website (www.nasa.gov/trackartemis)
- The NASA app (www.nasa.gov/nasa-app)
Learn & Explore
- Eyes on the Solar System, Asteroids, Earth & Exoplanets — interactive 3D exploration
- Moon Trek — explore the lunar surface with layered data (do the tutorial)
- Stellarium Web — shows your night sky based on your location
- Crash Course Astronomy on YouTube — great for middle and high school
- Khan Academy: Cosmology and Astronomy — pick and choose topics
Games & Interactives
- NASA Interactives — includes Name That Nebula, NASA Kids Club, Hooray for SLS (read-aloud book for younger kids), and more
Simulations
- PhET Simulations — gravity, Kepler’s laws, black body spectrum, and more
- The Concord Consortium — filter by Space for science simulations
Citizen Science
- Zooniverse — help real scientists classify data; space projects include:
- Magnetosphere Sheath Classifications
- Cold Ion Population
- Sunspot counting (historic photos)
- Gravity Wave Zoo, Redshift Wrangler, Active Asteroids, Planet Hunters, Disk Detective, and more
Sponsor: FundaFunda Academy Astronomy Bundle
- Searching the Solar System — overview of astronomy, space math, the sun & moon, inner and outer planets; videos, games, interactives, and a final project per module
- Searching the Night Sky — astronomical history, stargazing tools, constellations, deep sky objects
- Individual units $20 each; bundle $34
- Limited-time offer: $10 (no code needed) through the end of the Artemis 2 mission (April 10)
- Aimed at grades 4–8
If you use any of these resources, come join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
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The post Exploring Space: Interactive Tools for Your Homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
366: Teaching Geopolitics and World Affairs to TeensTeaching teens about geopolitics and world affairs can feel intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, Meryl van der Merwe shares practical tools and creative ideas for helping homeschool students understand current events, global conflict, geography, and media literacy in ways that feel engaging and age-appropriate. If you’ve ever wondered how to teach world affairs in your homeschool high school, this episode is a great place to start.
Understanding what’s happening in the world is a life skill — it shapes how your teens will vote, travel, and navigate adult conversations. And for college-bound students, being able to speak to current events in scholarship and admissions interviews is a real advantage. In this episode, I share several tech tools for making world affairs come alive in your homeschool, using the Iran conflict as a timely example.
Homeschooling with Technology is part of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network, where homeschool families find practical help, encouragement, and trusted resources for every stage of learning. From homeschool high school and parenting to technology, current events, and future-ready skills, UHPN brings together podcasts designed to support families in real life.
If you want to make current events, geography, and global conflict more understandable for your teen, these tools can help bring world affairs to life in a much more visual and engaging way.Tools and Resources MentionedGround News — (also available as an app and on Instagram) A solid starting point for current events. Free at the basic level. Headlines are summarized and labeled by political lean (left, center, right), making it a natural fit for media literacy alongside geopolitics.
Google Earth — Better than Google Maps for geopolitics because it shows geographic features — mountains, waterways, terrain — that explain why certain locations matter strategically.
VesselFinder — Track real-time ship movement around the world. Right now you can watch the dramatic drop in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz (from over 100 ships per day to around five or six). Give each student a different ship to track and check back at mealtimes.
FlightRadar24 — flightradar24.com Watch how airlines are rerouting around Iranian airspace in real time. A great visual for understanding how conflict ripples into everyday life — and a reminder of how a volcanic eruption in Iceland once grounded flights across Europe.
AI (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.) Instead of a broad internet search, have your teens prompt an AI with targeted questions — Iran’s economy, its allies, its neighbors, why oil prices in the US are affected by events in the Middle East. The real advantage: follow-up questions stay in the same conversation, so learning goes deeper without starting over.
Nation States — nationstates.net A free browser-based simulation where students build and run their own country. No email required. Daily events force real governing decisions — and there’s an alliance system that mirrors actual geopolitical dynamics. Forums are present, so preview for your family first.
Politics and War — politicsandwar.com A more in-depth nation-building simulation. Similar concept, more complexity. Also free, also has community forums — same caution applies.
FundaFunda Academy Fantasy Geography Contest Think fantasy sports drafting — but with countries. Runs April 1–30. Students draft a team of countries and track how world events affect their scores. Prizes: $10, $25, and $50 Amazon gift cards. Entry is $10 (covers the Fanschool platform). Includes a free South America unit study (adaptable for older students). Find the link at fundafundaacademy.com under Contests.
Why This Matters in Homeschool High SchoolUnderstanding world affairs helps teens build more than just knowledge. It helps them develop:
- critical thinking
- media literacy
- geography awareness
- informed citizenship
- confidence in conversations, essays, and interviews
For homeschool high school students, current events can become a meaningful part of:
- social studies
- government
- geography
- writing
- worldview discussions
Previous Episodes Referenced* Episode 222 – Geography games * Episode 310 – More geography games * Previous episode covering Fanschool
If you use any of these resources, come join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do you teach geopolitics to teens?A great way to teach geopolitics to teens is through current events, maps, simulations, and visual tools that help students understand how geography, politics, economics, and global conflict connect.
Why should homeschoolers study world affairs?Studying world affairs helps homeschool students build critical thinking, media literacy, and a better understanding of the world they’re growing up in.
Is geopolitics appropriate for homeschool high school?Yes — geopolitics can be a valuable part of homeschool high school, especially in social studies, government, geography, writing, and current events discussions.
The post Teaching Geopolitics and World Affairs to Teens appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
365: Padlet Arcade for Learning FunNew Here?If you love practical homeschool tech ideas, start here:
- More Homeschooling with Technology episodes
- Project-based learning ideas for homeschool
- Creative online tools for students
- Browse all homeschool tech resources
In this episode, Meryl explores Padlet Arcade — a game-based learning branch of the popular Padlet platform. She walks through the types of games available, how to find existing games by subject and grade level, and how to quickly create your own AI-generated review games using a topic, a webpage link, a YouTube video, or your own uploaded materials.
Game Types Available in Padlet Arcade Multiple Choice: Students select the correct answer from four options. Each question includes an info button with additional explanation. * Sorting: Items are dropped into two or more labeled categories (e.g., Credible vs. Non-Credible Sources). * Matching: Classic side-by-side matching game — great for vocabulary, math terms, or key concepts. * Flashcards: Digital flashcard sets — a built-in alternative to Quizlet. * Memory Tiles: A flip-and-match memory game for pairs of related terms or images. * Sequencing: Students arrange events, story elements, or steps into the correct order. * Fill in the Blank:* Students type in missing words or phrases.
Browsing Existing GamesNo account is required to play existing games. You can filter the library by:
- Subject: Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Sciences, World Languages, Arts, Health, Seasonal
- Grade Level
- Keyword search
Creating Your Own GamesA free account is required to create games. To get started, click Create and provide one of the following inputs:
- A general topic
- A link to a webpage (e.g., a Wikipedia article)
- A YouTube video link
- An uploaded file (e.g., your own teaching notes)
Padlet Arcade uses AI to generate game options relevant to your topic. For example, using the Wikipedia page for the Rosenbergs (Cold War unit) produced five suggested game types tailored to that content. Game generation takes about a minute. You can edit questions, change the game type, or request adjustments (make it harder, translate to Spanish, etc.) before publishing.
Sharing & Extra Features* Share via link or QR code * Leaderboard — tracks scores and speed * Export to PDF — for offline use or printing. * Remix — change the game type using the same content, add instructions, or adjust difficulty. You can remix any game in the library, not just your own. * Save — bookmark games you want to return to.
2 Games about the Rosenbergs mentioned in this episodeCold War Case Files – select the most accurate fact – multiple choice game
The Rosenberg Case: A Timeline – sequencing game
If you use any of these resources, join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
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364: What’s New in NotebookLMNotebookLM has graduated from Google Labs beta into a fully featured, standalone tool — and it has grown dramatically. In this episode, Meryl walks through all nine features currently available in the Studio panel, explaining how homeschool parents can use them to save time and how students can use them to study more effectively.
What Is NotebookLM?
NotebookLM is a free AI tool from Google that works differently from chatbots like ChatGPT or Claude:
- You upload your own sources (PDFs, videos, audio, website links, handwritten notes, pasted text)
- The AI only draws on those sources — dramatically reducing hallucinations
- Free version supports up to 50 sources per notebook
- Linked to your Google account — no separate sign-up needed
- A paid version exists, but the free version is sufficient for most users
New Feature: Fast Research
If you realize mid-project that you need more sources, you can now use Fast Research to ask NotebookLM to find sources on a specific topic. It returns a list of suggested sources you can preview and selectively add — keeping you in control of what goes into your notebook.
The Studio Panel: 9 Features Explained
The right-hand Studio panel gives quick access to all of NotebookLM’s output formats. You can also make any of these requests directly in the chat.
1. Audio Overview (Podcast)
- Generates a podcast-style audio summary of your sources
- Now customizable: choose format (Deep Dive, Brief, Critique, or Debate), language, and length
- Specify what the hosts should focus on, and select which sources to include
- New Interactive Mode: click Join to interrupt the hosts and ask your own questions in real time
- Short format = ~90 seconds, single speaker. Deep Dive = two speakers
2. Mind Map
- Generates a visual mind map of your sources
3. Flashcards
- Creates study flashcards from your sources
- Choose quantity (fewer, standard, more) and difficulty (easy, medium, hard)
- Narrow the topic by typing a specific focus area
- Shareable via URL — students can study from their phone without a laptop
4. Infographic
- Creates a graphical/visual representation of your material
- Text rendering on graphics has improved significantly
- Great for timelines and visual overviews
5. Slide Deck
- Generates presentation slides from your sources
- Choose between Detailed Deck or Presenter Slides (less text on screen)
- Useful when your child needs to give a presentation and already has their research in a notebook
6. Data Table
- Organizes information from your sources into a structured table
- Works even when your sources aren’t strictly numerical data
7. Video Overview
- Generates a short explainer video from your sources
- Choose format: Full Explainer or Brief overview
- Visual styles include: Custom, Classic, Whiteboard, Kawaii, Retro Print, Anime, and more
8. Reports
- Generates formatted reports from your sources
- Study Guide format includes: short-answer quiz, answer key, essay prompts, and a glossary of key terms
- Great for supplementing curriculum or prepping students for AP-style exams
9. Quiz
- Generates an interactive multiple-choice quiz from your sources
- Choose quantity and difficulty level
- Questions are presented one at a time; incorrect answers include an explanation
Bonus Tips
- You can share an entire notebook with others
- Use the chat for custom requests — e.g., “Give me a 10-question quiz with 3 multiple choice and 3 matching” and ask for a separate answer key
- Non-homeschool tip: Drop in any large document (like a medical insurance policy) and ask specific questions to find information fast
Links & Resources
- NotebookLM: notebooklm.google.com
- Episode 297 (NotebookLM intro):
- Meryl’s AI class: fundafundaacademy.com
If you use any of these resources, join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
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363: Gems – Your Custom Homeschool Co-TeacherGoogle’s Gemini platform now includes a powerful feature called Gems. In this episode, we explore how Gems allow you to create customized AI assistants that can help with homeschooling tasks again and again without rewriting prompts each time.
Meryl explains what Gems are, how they compare to custom GPTs in ChatGPT, and how homeschool parents can use them to create interactive lessons, quizzes, games, and study guides.
She also shares an example she created — an interactive Oregon Trail adventure built using primary sources. In this activity, students pack their wagon, make decisions along the trail, and encounter historically accurate situations while learning key vocabulary and concepts.
Another helpful feature of Gems is the ability to upload documents and resources. This means you can add textbook pages, standards, or other materials and have the AI generate review questions, activities, or learning games based directly on those resources.
The episode also introduces Gem Labs, an experimental feature from Google Labs that allows you to create multi-step workflows.
AI tools are changing rapidly, and Gems provide another way for homeschool parents to turn AI into a creative co-teacher that enhances learning rather than replacing it.
In This Episode What Gemini Gems are and why they’re useful * How Gems compare to custom GPTs in ChatGPT * Examples of built-in Gems provided by Google * How to create your own Gem * Using uploaded documents to guide AI responses * An example Oregon Trail interactive history game (you need to be logged in to Google/Gemini to try it) * A brief introduction to Gem Labs* experimental workflows
If you use any of these resources, join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
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📚 Part of our guide: Homeschool Burnout362: Avoiding tech burnout with Melissa MuirIn this episode, Meryl is joined by Melissa Muir from Think Curio to discuss an important topic for homeschool families: avoiding tech burnout.
While both Meryl and Melissa love educational technology and use it extensively in their teaching, they recognize the need for balance. With recent studies showing that adults, teens, and even younger children are spending significant hours each day on screens, it is crucial to be intentional about how technology fits into homeschool life.
In This Episode We Discuss:1. Modeling Healthy Tech Habits
- Taking intentional breaks from screens (such as a weekly tech Sabbath)
- Using app timers and boundaries
- Recognizing signs of burnout in ourselves as parents
2. Scheduling with Intention
- Designing a homeschool week that includes both online and offline learning
- Avoiding back-to-back screen-based classes
- Building in screen-free days or partial screen-free times
- Being cautious about fully online homeschool models
3. Creating Non-Tech Extensions
- Keeping accessible hands-on materials (Legos, puzzles, art supplies)
- Using board games to build strategic and social skills
- Encouraging real-world interviews and community connections
- Taking advantage of local library programs and resources
4. The Power of Storytelling (Off-Screen Learning)
- Using storytelling cards and story dice
- Incorporating persuasive speaking games like Snake Oil
- Leveraging graphic novels for deeper engagement
- Connecting storytelling to other subjects (science, history, financial literacy)
- Creative language-learning strategies like storyboarding from screenshots
Melissa shares practical examples from her own homeschool routine and emphasizes that the goal is not to eliminate technology, but to use it thoughtfully and avoid burnout.
Where to find MelissaWebsite: thinkcurio.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thinkcuriolearningInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkcuriolearning/
If you use any of these resources, join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
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361: Homeschooling with GeminiIn this episode, we look at how homeschoolers can use Gemini and why it’s worth adding to your tech toolkit — even if you already use ChatGPT.
Organization & Workflow “My Stuff” dashboard to quickly access everything you’ve created * Model options (Fast, Thinking, Pro) depending on the depth of response you need * Export directly to Google Docs, Sheets, or Gmail* to save time and avoid formatting issues
Accuracy & Accessibility Double-check response tool to verify factual information * * Listen feature* to have content read aloud
Canvas Mode (Editable Workspace)* Split-screen setup with chat on one side and a live, editable document on the other * Format, revise, delete, or add directly inside Gemini * Ideal for building lesson plans, worksheets, and activities
Image Generation* Create custom visuals for lessons or social media * Refine prompts to improve perspective and clarity
Two specific use* SAT-style practice questions developed in collaboration with College Board * Generate local field trip ideas within a specific radius * Integrated Google Map view to visualize locations when doing a search on something within a specific radius from a place
All features discussed are available in the free version.
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
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360: Free Tech Tools Through Your LibraryIn this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, Meryl interviews Melissa Brander from Pocket Homeschool about the many free technology resources available through your local library.
Most homeschool families think of the library as a place for books. But today’s libraries offer far more — including digital tools, streaming platforms, language programs, research databases, maker spaces, and even technology devices you can borrow.
Melissa shares practical ideas and specific tools to help homeschool families take full advantage of what libraries are already offering — often completely free.
Tech Resources You May Not Realize Your Library Offers1. Basic Tech Access* Public computers * Low-cost or free printing (including color printing) * Wi-Fi access
If you occasionally need color printing or device access, your library may be an easy solution.
-
Library of ThingsMany libraries now offer a “Library of Things,” which allows you to check out non-book items such as:
-
Laptops
- Wi-Fi hotspots
- Video games
- Media converters (such as VHS-to-digital tools)
- Devices and other tech equipment
Not every library has this, but it is becoming increasingly common.
-
Audiobooks and Audio DevicesBeyond traditional books on CD, libraries now offer:
-
Playaways (self-contained MP3 audiobook players)
- Vox Books and Wonderbooks (print books with built-in audio)
- Tonie figures or Yoto cards (at some libraries)
These can be especially helpful for emerging or struggling readers.
-
Library AppsCheck whether your library offers:
-
A dedicated library catalog app
- Libby (eBooks, audiobooks, magazines)
- Hoopla (instant borrows, movies, documentaries, audiobooks)
- Kanopy (streaming documentaries and films, often with a kids section)
Kanopy, in particular, can be a powerful tool for homeschool families who use documentaries as part of their curriculum.
-
Language Learning PlatformsMany libraries provide free access to programs such as:
-
Mango Languages
- Transparent Language
These platforms offer structured lessons and can serve as a full curriculum or a supplement to your existing language studies.
-
Homework Help and TutoringSome libraries offer online tutoring platforms (such as Brainfuse), where students can:
-
Ask questions
- Get homework support
- Receive help explaining difficult concepts
This can be invaluable when a concept simply is not clicking at home.
-
Research DatabasesLibraries often provide access to academic databases, including:
-
Elementary and middle school research databases
- Historical newspaper archives
- Scholarly research tools for high school students
These are especially important for:
- Teaching research skills
- Finding credible sources
- Preparing students for college-level writing
In a world of quick AI-generated answers, learning how to use databases is a critical skill.
-
Maker SpacesSome libraries now include maker spaces equipped with:
-
3D printers
- Laser cutters
- Coding tools
- Specialized tech equipment
These spaces allow students to experiment with technology that may be too expensive to purchase individually.
-
Library ProgrammingLibraries frequently offer workshops and events that may include:
-
Coding sessions
- Digital media workshops
- Technology restoration projects
- Creative tech activities
Always check your library’s event calendar. And if you do not see something you need, ask — librarians often welcome suggestions from their community.
Where to find MelissaWebsite: www.pockethomeschool.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pockethomeschool/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pockethomeschool/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pockethomeschool
Blog post: Techie Homeschool Library Resources
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
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359: How to Make Beautiful PresentationsPresentations are a skill students will use again and again—in middle school, high school, college, and eventually the workplace. In this episode, learn about tech tools that can help homeschoolers (and parents!) create attractive, effective presentations without needing advanced design skills.
Tools Covered in This Episode1. Google Slides
A familiar starting point for many students. Google Slides now offers much stronger templates than it did in the past. And SlidesAI is an add-on that uses AI to speed up the process of slide creation.
2. Prezi
A non-traditional presentation tool that uses zooming and spatial movement instead of linear slides. Prezi is great for helping students think differently about how information connects and when a more interactive format makes sense.
3. Canva
Canva offers a huge variety of beautiful presentation templates and layouts. Students can:
- Start from a template
- Build slide-by-slide using layouts
- Present directly from Canva or share via link
4. Gamma App
An AI-powered presentation tool that quickly creates visually appealing slides from notes or structured prompts. Use ChatGPT or Gemini to plan content first, then import it into Gamma (referral link) to save time—while still editing images and content to ensure accuracy and quality.
Here is an example: an interactive “Journey of Molly Kelly” presentation used in a middle-school co op class.
Classes Mentioned Computer Applications (full-year teacher-graded or self-paced parent-graded) * Graphic Design with Canva (graded semester elective or self-paced, parent-graded version.) * Intro to Artificial Intelligence* (half-credit, one semester)
If your kids create a presentation they’re proud of, come share it in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook—we’d love to see it!
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
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358: 5 Free Homeschool Resources That Still Hold Up in 2026 with Melissa MuirMelissa is a longtime homeschool mom of four, a licensed teacher, and the founder of Curio. She shares five free homeschool resources her family still uses regularly today—resources that have stood the test of time and continue to work well for real homeschool families.
These aren’t just quick links. Melissa explains how her family actually uses each tool, from self-paced science lessons to gap-filling math, audiobooks for reluctant readers, gamified learning for younger kids, and leveled current events for middle and high schoolers.
In this episode, you’ll hear about: Nearpod – Interactive, student-paced lessons with VR, activities, and assessments Also listen to episode 293 where Melissa goes into more detail about Nearpod. * Khan Academy – Free courses for gap filling, mastery, and exploration. And listen to episode 317 where Meryl shares more ideas about Khan Academy * Libby – Using library audiobooks and ebooks to support reading and spelling * Freckle – Gamified math and reading practice for younger learners * ENGOO Daily News* – Leveled current events with discussion and writing prompts
Where to find MelissaWebsite: thinkcurio.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thinkcuriolearningInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkcuriolearning/
If you use any of these resources, join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
The post 5 Free Homeschool Resources That Still Hold Up in 2026 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
357: Winter Olympics Resources for Your HomeschoolThe Winter Olympics are almost here, and if your family will be watching, why not turn that excitement into meaningful learning? In this episode, I share a collection of fun, engaging, and mostly free Winter Olympics resources you can use with elementary through high school students—before and during the Games.
These resources cover history, geography, science, music, critical thinking, and more, with very little prep required.
Resources MentionedOfficial Olympics Website – Milano Cortina 2026
Explore schedules, events, host locations, and track the Olympic torch as it travels toward the opening ceremony.
Athlete365 Stories
Behind-the-scenes articles and videos featuring athlete preparation, Olympic Village life, and what happens before competition begins.
15-Minute Olympics Music Lesson – Music in Our Homeschool
A free mini-lesson exploring Olympic music and official songs—short, engaging, and easy to use.
Science of the Winter Olympics (NBC Playlist on YouTube)
Short, engaging videos explaining the physics and math behind Winter Olympic sports like bobsledding and aerial skiing.
Best for middle and high school, but fascinating for all ages.
Olympics History & Culture Unit Study (Grades 4–8)
A low-cost mini unit study covering Olympic history, culture, and the differences between the Summer and Winter Games.
Web-based, hands-on, and reusable for future Olympics.
Free Digital Olympics Breakout (Escape-Room Style Activity)
A fully online breakout activity where students solve clues to unlock the Google Form and “win” the challenge.
Great for families or small groups. Estimated time: ~45 minutes.
FanSchool Olympics Medal Prediction Game
Students predict medal counts by country and learn geography along the way.
Free to play, with possible prizes for top predictions.
Winter Olympics Bingo (Free Printable)
A fun way for the whole family to stay engaged while watching events, learning about flags, countries, and sports.
Use code WINTER (free through February 22).
If you use any of these resources, come join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
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356: Pixar in a boxIn this episode, we explore Pixar in a Box, a free, self-paced course created by Pixar in partnership with Khan Academy.
Pixar in a Box gives students a behind-the-scenes look at how Pixar films are made. Lessons are taught by Pixar professionals and connect animation to math, science, art, and computer science.
Start with the short introductory video and watch it together to see if it sparks your child’s interest.
How to Access the CourseYou can access Pixar in a Box:
- Through Khan Academy
- Through the Pixar website (where the intro video appears on the main page)
What Does It Cover?Pixar in a Box includes 14 main units (plus an orientation). Families can follow the full sequence or jump around.
Example topics include:
- Storytelling and film grammar
- Animation and simulation
- Color science and lighting
- Character and environment modeling
Lessons mix short videos, interactive activities, simulations, quizzes, and some offline projects.
Using the Lesson FinderThe Lesson Finder lets you filter lessons by:
- Grade level (5–6 through 9–12)
- Subject area (art, math, computer science, science)
Time Commitment & Credit Ideas Estimated total time: 25–40 hours*
This works well for middle school enrichment or as part of a high school elective. With added projects—such as animation work, film analysis, or career research—it can be extended to a ½ credit elective. You can find trailers and how some shorts were made 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
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355: Vibe Coding – What It Is and How Homeschoolers Can Use ItVibe coding is a brand-new term, coined in early 2025 by former OpenAI researcher Andrej Karpathy, and it describes a radically different way of creating software—by describing what you want instead of writing traditional code.
In this episode, you will learn what vibe coding is, why it’s possible now thanks to large language models, and how homeschoolers can use it creatively and practically with their teens.
You’ll hear real examples, student-created projects, and two free tools you can try immediately.
What is Vibe Coding?Vibe coding is the process of building apps, games, or tools by talking to AI instead of manually writing code. You describe what you want, refine it step by step, and let the AI handle the programming behind the scenes.
This approach lowers the barrier to entry while still rewarding logical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity—especially when students understand how computers work at a basic level.
Tools Featured in This EpisodeCanva Code
Canva isn’t just for graphics anymore. Using Canva Code, students can:
- Create interactive games
- Build matching activities and flashcards
- Design simple browser-based games
Examples of Canva Code games:
AI term matching game
Emoji Drawing Game by Lukas F
Wave Survival Game by Zander F
Base44
Base44 is a more “serious” vibe-coding platform designed for building usable apps.
Examples discussed include:
- A hydration tracker app
- A book-tracking app with built-in recommendations by Lukas F
Teaching Tip: How to Prompt EffectivelyInstead of giving AI one massive instruction, treat it like an intern:
- Start with a simple request
- Add features one at a time
- Refine visuals, logic, and functionality step by step
How Homeschoolers Can Use Vibe Coding* Create educational games to reinforce learning * Let students design games for each other * Build trackers, organizers, and productivity tools * Encourage creativity while still developing computational thinking
FundaFunda Academy Classes mentioned (show sponsor)* Artificial Intelligence for Teens * Scratch * Python * AI Unit Study
Join the ConversationPick one tool from this list and commit to learning it this year. Then join the Homeschooling with Technology Facebook group and share which tool you chose and why.
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
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📚 Part of our guide: Homeschool Organization354: New Year, New ToolsEpisode GoalChoose one tech tool from this list to explore intentionally in 2026.
The 10 Tools Featured1. ChatGPT and GeminiAI assistants that homeschool parents can use for planning, teaching, and daily life.
Ways to use them include:
- Rewriting articles at a child’s reading level
- Creating lesson extensions and outdoor activities
- Planning school schedules around sports and activities
- Generating games, recipes, and choose-your-own-adventure stories
A free PDF with 20 starter prompts is available through the FundaFunda Academy newsletter.
- PhET Interactive SimulationsFree, interactive math and science simulations from the University of Colorado.
Great for:
- Physics (circuits, forces, motion)
- Chemistry (molecules, states of matter)
- Math (fractions, number lines, density)
Especially useful for middle and high school students and visual learners.
- Concord ConsortiumA collection of free STEM lessons and simulations at learn.concord.org.
Highlights include:
- Filters by grade level and subject
- Earth science, engineering, and data science resources
-
Project-based activities that work well alongside existing curriculum
-
CanvaA versatile design tool for students and parents.
Canva can be used to:
- Create reports, presentations, planners, and calendars
- Design invitations, worksheets, and printables
- Explore built-in AI design tools
FundaFunda Academy offers both teacher-graded and self-paced Canva classes.
- NotebookLMA free AI study tool that works only from sources you upload, reducing hallucinations.
NotebookLM can:
- Create quizzes, tests, and answer keys
- Generate study notes and timelines
- Produce short audio summaries
- Work directly from PDFs, videos, and websites
A strong option for teaching teens effective study skills.
- Brisk TeachingA Chrome extension designed for teachers and homeschool parents.
Key features:
- Inspect Google Docs to see how writing was created
-
Generate quizzes from articles or videos
-
EdpuzzleA tool that turns videos into interactive lessons.
With Edpuzzle you can:
- Pause videos to ask comprehension questions
- Prevent skipping ahead
- Track whether the entire video was watched
-
Use thousands of pre-made lessons for free
-
Google Arts & CultureA rich resource for geography, history, art, and culture.
Includes:
- Virtual museum tours
- Interactive explorations of historical sites
- Games connected to art and culture
Previously discussed in Episodes 314 and 315.
- Google Applied Digital SkillsA large library of free, self-paced technology lessons.
Topics include:
- Google Docs, Sheets, and Calendar
- Digital citizenship and online safety
- Career skills and portfolio building
-
Creative projects like comics and digital postcards
-
Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF)One of the most comprehensive free personal finance resources available.
Covers:
- Budgeting, banking, and credit
- Paying for college
- Investing and financial math
- Interactive games such as Payback, Spent, and Stax
FundaFunda Academy Notes* Teacher-graded semester classes began January 5 * Self-paced classes are available at a lower cost * Subjects include Canva, AI, personal finance, and more
Join the ConversationPick one tool from this list and commit to learning it this year. Then join the Homeschooling with Technology Facebook group and share which tool you chose and why.
The post New Year, New Tools appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
This is a rerun of episode 210 – you can find the original show notes here.
The post Replay: Taking Holiday Photos with Storytelling in Mind appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
This is a rerun of episode 162 – you can find the original show notes here.
The post Replay: Digital Christmas Cards appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
353: An AI-Powered Holiday SeasonLearn how to make this an AI-Powered Holiday Season! If the holidays feel overwhelming, especially for moms carrying the mental load, AI can help you offload decisions, plan your days, generate gift ideas, create activities, and more.
1. Use AI to Create a Manageable Holiday ScheduleTools like ChatGPT and Gemini can turn a long, overwhelming to-do list into a structured plan.
You can:
- Use voice mode to quickly offload everything you need to do
- Include specific tasks like preparing guest rooms, decorating, errands, cleaning, or cooking
- Ask AI to assign age-appropriate chores to kids
- Request a day-by-day schedule or detailed breakdown of today’s tasks
2. Stress-Free Gift Shopping with AIAI can help generate highly personalized, budget-conscious ideas.
Tips:
- Provide detailed information: age, hobbies, interests, personality, budget
- Ask for alternatives to expensive gifts
- Request price comparisons; Perplexity is especially good for this
- Use AI to help brainstorm DIY gift options
For personalized items, Canva’s AI tools can help quickly create bookmarks, calendars, cards, or certificates. You can also add an AI-generated poem, story, or even a custom song using SUNO.
3. AI for Holiday Meal Planning and LeftoversAI can plan holiday meals, weekly menus, grocery lists, and leftover transformations.
You can request:
- Meal plans with specific time limits
- Menus without certain allergens or ingredients
- A holiday dinner with detailed restrictions
- A shopping list pulled from your own uploaded recipes
- After large holiday meals, list your leftover ingredients and ask AI for several creative recipes. Kids can vote on their favorite.
4. Travel Planning with AIAI can streamline travel planning during the holidays:
- Suggest scenic detours
- Recommend kid-friendly stops
- Create packing lists based on your destination’s weather
For long drives, you can request car-friendly games tailored to your children’s ages.
Travel Bingo
- Ask AI to generate 30–40 things you might see along your route.
- Have it create customized 5×5 bingo cards.
- Print and enjoy.
5. Creative Family Activities Powered by AIWhen the family gathers and needs something fun to do, AI can generate:
- Indoor or outdoor scavenger hunts
- Custom trivia nights
- Choose-your-own-adventure stories
- Coloring pages
- Mini unit studies
- Simple STEM projects using household materials
- Holiday-themed coding activities
FundaFunda Academy’s Christmas Coding ContestFundaFunda Academy is holding a Christmas Coding Contest for grades 4–12.
Cost: $5 (includes instructional materials)
Levels:
- Beginner: No coding experience necessary; step-by-step Scratch instructions included
- Veteran: For students already familiar with Scratch
Students create an interactive Christmas scene with a mini-game.
Deadline: December 23
Prizes: Amazon gift cards in both Beginner and Veteran categories
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
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352: The Hour of AICode.org has transformed its annual Hour of Code into the Hour of AI, offering a wide variety of free, interactive activities that help students understand artificial intelligence—not just coding. Some of the resources we tried out are:
1. AI QuestsAn interactive, story-driven adventure that teaches real-world Artificial Intelligence applications. Meryl tested the natural-disaster quest on flooding and found it highly engaging and educational.
2. Design a Custom Product (Adobe Express)Students use text prompts inside Adobe Express to design a custom product. A great introduction to generative AI tools—and perfect for creative learners.
3. Two Truths and an AIA game where students identify real vs. generated images. Available in versions for younger and older students, with multiple difficulty levels.
4. Coding + AI ActivitiesFor students who love programming, the Hour of AI still includes options that blend artificial intelligence concepts with familiar platforms such as:
- Minecraft
- Roblox
- Python
- And more
5. AI Quest Bot (by Magic School)From the team behind Magic School AI, this quest-style activity lets students answer questions, earn points, and deepen AI understanding.
6. Multiplayer Puzzle Game CreatorA standout for puzzle-lovers and game designers: students can build a multiplayer puzzle game in under an hour.
7. BrainPOP – AI Dilemma: Helper or HeroIncludes a video plus downloadable teacher resources. Some materials note limited-time free educator access.
8. Vibe CodingSeveral activities highlight “vibe coding.” Meryl will cover this in depth next week, so stay tuned for a full explanation!
9. Mastering Prompt EngineeringA short activity designed to help students learn how to prompt Artificial Intelligence tools more effectively.
10. How Does AI Work? (Girls Who Code)A mini-course that goes deeper than a typical one-hour activity—perfect for students wanting more detail on AI fundamentals.
Want to Go Beyond the Hour of AI?Intro to AI Unit Study (Grades 6–12) — $20A complete, self-paced unit study covering:
- What AI is
- Ethical concerns
- Responsible use
- How AI systems are trained
- Hands-on activities
- Built-in answer keys
Purchase once—use with the whole family.
Full-Semester AI Class (Grades 7–12)A 16-week, asynchronous, half-credit high school course with:
- Weekly deadlines
- Virtual discussions
- Tool-based exploration starting around Week 5
- Graded assignments
- A deep dive into how AI works, how to use it responsibly, and how to evaluate tools
Links Mentioned* Hour of AI * Intro to AI Unit Study * Semester-Long AI Class for teens * FundaFunda Education on Instagram (@fundafundaeducation)
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 Hour of AI appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
351: STEM Gifts That Build SkillsMeryl discusses why STEM gifts matter for kids and teens—and how choosing the right ones can build creativity, problem-solving, and curiosity. Whether you’re catching Black Friday sales or shopping any time of year, today’s episode is packed with practical ideas for skill-building gifts.
Why Choose STEM Gifts? Early exposure: Starting STEM learning early helps children see it as a natural part of their world—and helps parents become more comfortable with it too. * Builds real skills: In an age when many teens rely heavily on AI tools, STEM toys encourage hands-on logic, creativity, and problem-solving. * Long-lasting value*: Unlike many novelty toys, high-quality STEM kits and building sets are used again and again, often across multiple ages.
STEM-Themed Advent CalendarsDid you know Advent calendars aren’t just chocolate anymore? Meryl shares several STEM options your kids will love opening every day in December, including:
- National Geographic Advent Calendars (fossils, gemstones, science experiments)
- Kiwi Co Mechanical Ornaments Advent Calendar – gear and lever–based mini builds
- LEGO Advent Calendars – including themed sets like Frozen
- Purple Cow “Shocking Science” Advent Calendar
- Exit the Game Advent Calendar – a daily escape-room-style puzzle
STEM Gift Ideas for All AgesClixo
A magnetic, flexible building toy (ages 4–99!) that encourages creativity, spatial reasoning, and engineering thinking. Great for travel.
Mbot Robots
Affordable, buildable robots ideal for introducing teens to robotics and coding.
Math Board Games
A fun, screen-free way to strengthen mathematical reasoning. (Search “math board games” at homeschoolingwithtechnology.com for a full episode.)
Classic Building Toys
- K’Nex
- LEGO (including Power Functions to integrate mechanics)
- Keva Planks for bridge-building and other architectural challenges
Circuits Kits
- Snap Circuits Junior / Classic – perfect for younger learners and still engaging for older kids
- Expanded circuit board kits for those who master the basics
Chemistry & Forensics Kits
Hands-on experimentation for budding scientists—everything from volcano-making to mini forensics labs.
Links Mentioned* Educational Advent Calendars * STEM Gifts Under $50
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 STEM Gifts That Build Skills appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
350: Learning Real-World Skills Through Game Creation with Matt Dalio of Endless StudiosIn this episode, Meryl van der Merwe talks with Matt Dalio, founder of Endless Studios, about why game creation—not just game playing—can equip teens with powerful, real-world skills for future careers.
Matt shares:
His Backstory and Mission* How early experiences living in China and working with orphans shaped his desire to create worldwide access to digital skills. * Why technological literacy today is lower than literacy in the Dark Ages, and why that must change. * His belief that millions of young people can gain job-ready technical skills through creating games.
Why Game Creation Matters* Uses real professional tools such as Unity, Unreal, Godot, Blender, and GitHub. * Teaches computational thinking, teamwork, project management, design, and coding. * Mirrors real-world workflows used in startups and tech companies. * Allows kids to shift from consumers to creators.
Tools Matt Recommends for StudentsAll of these are free to download:
- EndStar
Endless Studios’ tool built on Unity, designed to take students from Minecraft-level skills to professional-level game engine skills. It includes wiring systems, logic blocks, and gradual scaffolding into real scripting. - Godot
An open-source engine that runs well on low-end computers. Endless Studios is building scaffolding tools on top of it, including block coding and collaborative editing features. - Roblox Studio
Ideal for kids already using Roblox. Uses Lua scripting and has a large online community. - Scratch
A simple entry-level environment that helps absolute beginners understand basic logic and design principles.
Matt also recommends courses on Udemy, Coursera, and similar platforms for structured learning. Many students, like past podcast guest Matthew, have taught themselves professional-level skills using these resources.
The Power of Community LearningMatt emphasizes that students learn best through collaboration. Platforms like GitHub allow students to contribute to real-world projects, receive mentorship, and learn modern software development workflows. This form of apprenticeship is one of the most effective and scalable ways to build proficiency.
Key Takeaways for Homeschool Parents* You do not need to know anything about game design to support your child. * Game creation teaches real workforce skills, even for students who never plan to work in gaming. * Encourage your students to shift from playing games to building them. * The motivation and joy that come from creating something they love are powerful teaching tools.
Interested in Endless Studios Creating a Homeschool-Friendly Product?Matt welcomes interest from parents. Email: m@endlessstudios.com
Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattdalio/
Links Mentioned* Endless Studios: https://endlessstudios.com * EndStar: Free download from Endless Studios * Godot Game Engine: https://godotengine.org * Roblox Studio: https://create.roblox.com * Scratch: https://scratch.mit.edu * Udemy: https://udemy.com * Coursera: https://coursera.org
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 Learning Real-World Skills Through Game Creation appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
349: AI Companions: The Hidden Danger for TeensWe explore the alarming rise of AI companion usage among teenagers and the serious risks these tools pose. While AI can be incredibly useful for education and productivity, AI companions designed to fulfill emotional and social roles present unique dangers that most parents are unaware of.
What Are AI Companions?Chatbots are designed to serve roles traditionally filled by friends, family, or mental health professionals. Key platforms discussed include Character.AI, Grok (on X/Twitter), and general LLMs like ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and Gemini.
Key Topics Covered* Shocking statistics about teen AI companion usage and parental awareness * Real-world tragedies involving AI chatbots (multiple ongoing lawsuits discussed) * Why teens are drawn to AI companions: 24/7 availability, anonymity, agreeable responses * Design features that make these platforms compelling and potentially dangerous * How easily current platform safety measures are bypassed
What Parents Should DoCommunication Strategies* Talk openly about AI and its risks * Ask how they’re using AI in a non-judgmental way * Request to see chat histories * Discuss privacy and data concerns
Set Boundaries* Limit which AI apps can be used * Establish tech-free times and zones * Monitor for red flags like withdrawal or reluctance to discuss AI use
Encourage Human ConnectionFind activities where your child can make friends: robotics teams, Science Olympiad, chess clubs, gaming cafes, anime clubs, or start your own interest-based group.
AI Literacy EducationUnderstanding how AI works helps teens use it responsibly. Very few students receive formal AI training, yet those who do find it extremely helpful.
Platform Updates DiscussedRecent policy changes from Character.AI, ChatGPT/OpenAI, and Grok regarding minor safety and content restrictions.
Resources Mentioned Center for Democracy and Technology Report (survey of 1,000+ students, teachers, and parents) and slideshow (from p 28) * Bright Canary monitoring tool * NotebookLM and Claude (tools used to help prep for this episode) * FundaFunda Academy’s AI classes – Use code HWTAI* for $10 off either class (valid through the end of 2025)
Self-paced AI Unit Study (Grades 6–12)
Semester-long AI Class for High School Credit
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 AI Companions: The Hidden Danger for Teens appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
348: How a Teen Uses Tech to Master Time ManagementHost Meryl van der Merwe chats with teen guest, Mishe Breetzke, about how she learned to manage her time more effectively using technology. Mishe, a homeschooled student from South Africa, who is in Meryl’s online Computer Applications class, shares how she realized that feeling “too busy” often came down to poor time management, not too much work.
Mishe explains how she uses the TimeTune app (Android) to plan her days, balance school and hobbies, and reduce stress. She discusses features she loves—like notifications and templates—and what she wishes the app had. Together, she and Meryl also explore other scheduling tools like Todoist, Google Calendar, and analog options such as bullet journaling or spreadsheets.
Listeners will hear:
- How teens can recognize and fix time management problems
- Why homeschoolers especially benefit from structured schedules
- How to build habits gradually without feeling overwhelmed
- The importance of remembering you control your schedule—not the other way around
If you have a teen struggling with organization or productivity, this episode is full of practical, relatable insights directly from a student who figured it out herself.
Links Mentioned:
- TimeTune App (Android)
- Todoist
- Google Calendar
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 a Teen Uses Tech to Master Time Management appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
347: BaseCampEd: Building Community and Connection for HomeschoolersHost Meryl van der Merwe talks with Morgan Bergstrom, creator of the BaseCampEd app, a new tool designed to help homeschool families build community and connection.
Morgan shares how her own homeschooling journey and frequent military moves inspired her to create a platform that makes it easier for homeschoolers to find and connect with local families. She explains how the app works, the importance of privacy and simplicity in its design, and the growing features that make it a one-stop resource for homeschool parents and educators.
Topics covered include:
- Morgan’s homeschooling story and the inspiration behind BaseCampEd
- How the app helps homeschoolers find nearby families and teachers
- Why privacy and user control were key priorities
- The growing role of small, intentional homeschool groups
- Future plans for the platform, including business listings and desktop access
- How homeschoolers can support and expand the app’s reach
If you’re looking for new ways to connect with other homeschooling families or find resources in your area, this episode will give you a great overview of how BaseCampEd can help.
Learn more and download the app at: https://www.basecamped.com
Connect with Morgan:
Instagram & Facebook
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 BaseCampEd: Building Community and Connection for Homeschoolers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
346: AI and Critical Thinking
In this episode, Meryl is joined once again by Critical Thinking in the Digital Age instructor Stephanie Simoes to explore how AI is impacting students’ ability to think deeply and critically. The two discuss an MIT study that sparked widespread concern, the concept of cognitive offloading, and how parents can teach their teens to use AI responsibly without losing their own reasoning skills.
Listen to get insights on: What the “Your Brain on ChatGPT” study actually found—and why it’s been misunderstood * What cognitive offloading means and when it’s useful vs. harmful * The critical thinking and fact-checking skills students need before using AI tools * How expertise and intellectual humility affect our ability to evaluate AI responses * Recognizing bias—both in AI training data and in our own prompts * Strategies to overcome confirmation bias when using ChatGPT * How to use* AI to strengthen critical thinking through debate and challenge-based prompts
Mentioned Resources: Stephanie’s blog post on AI & Critical Thinking * Her interview with an AI expert on bias in training data * Dr. Kiran Garimella’s article: Is AI Creating Incompetent Experts?* * MagicSchool.AI – a tool for supervised AI learning environments * FundaFunda Academy’s AI and Critical Thinking courses
+ Self-paced AI Unit Study (Grades 6–12)
+ Semester-long AI Class for High School Credit
+ Critical Thinking in the Digital Age (self-paced, ½ credit)
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 AI and Critical Thinking appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
345: Listener Favorites: Our Top 5 Most-Downloaded Episodes RevisitedIn this special birthday edition of Homeschooling with Technology, Meryl Van der Merwe looks back at the five most downloaded episodes of all time! This episode is part of the 12 Days of Homeschool Gold celebration for the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network’s birthday — complete with giveaways, bonus mini-episodes, a treasure hunt, and a basket full of freebies and discounts. Visit UltimateRadioShow.com/birthday before October 18th to join in!
#5 – How to Use Movies in Your Homeschool (Ep. 187)
Originally co-hosted with Meryl’s oldest daughter, this episode explores how films can enhance homeschool learning.
New additions:
- Shackleton – History, leadership, and perseverance
- March of the Penguins – Ecology and Antarctica
- October Sky – Inspiration and STEM
- Hidden Figures – Math, science, and history
- The Hundred-Foot Journey – Geography and cultural studies
#4 – Apps for High School Students (Ep. 189)
Guest: Natalie Vaughn, former homeschooler and FundaFunda student.
She shared the apps that helped her succeed in high school and win scholarships.
Meryl’s AI-era updates:
- ChatGPT & Gemini – Guided learning and concept explanations
- NotebookLM – AI-assisted study aid and self-quizzing tool
#3 – Creating an AI Policy for Your Homeschool (Ep. 334)
A recent favorite
Learn how to:
- Create clear rules for AI use in your homeschool
- Teach students ethical and productive AI use
- Balance learning with technology
#2 – Online Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Games (Ep. 185)
Explore educational interactive fiction and decision-based learning tools.
New ideas:
- Mission US Series – Immersive American history games
- ChatGPT Interactive Adventures – Create your own story-based learning games!
Example: A “Dolphin Adventure” story that unfolds through 10 interactive choices.
#1 – Free Online Vocabulary Games (Ep. 70)
The all-time favorite! Fun and free vocabulary-building tools for all ages.
Updated links and recommendations:
- Words.com – Successor to Spelling.com
- Knoword.com – Multiple levels from Junior to Expert
- Vocabulary.com – Customizable vocab lists
- Merriam-Webster Vocabulary Quiz – 10-question challenges
- FreeRice.com – Play for a cause!
- Flippity.net – Make your own vocab games with Google Sheets
Join the CelebrationDon’t miss the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network’s 12th Birthday Celebration!
Visit UltimateRadioShow.com/birthday
Ends October 18th — grab your freebies and prizes while they last!
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 Listener Favorites: Our Top 5 Most-Downloaded Episodes Revisited appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
344: 12 Homeschool Tech HacksIn this special birthday episode, to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network, here are 12 homeschool tech hacks that will make your homeschool more efficient, engaging, and fun!
Bonus: Celebrate the 12th Birthday of the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network with giveaways, bonus mini-episodes, a treasure hunt, and a gift basket full of freebies and discounts!
Visit UltimateRadioShow.com/birthday
Download the 12th Birthday Treasure Chest!
We’re celebrating 12 years of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network with a gift just for you! Download our Podcast Gold Treasure Chest — a free bundle filled with homeschool resources, printables, and special offers from our incredible partners. Plus, when you download, you’re automatically entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card!
No purchase necessary — this is a free resource made possible by our generous sponsors: Media Angels, True North Academy, CTC Math, Math Mammoth, BaseCampEd, Powerline Productions, Funda Funda Academy, Raising Real Men, 7 Sisters Homeschool, and Galaxy Grammar Books.
Download your Treasure Chest now!
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Voice-to-Text Note Taking – Speed up writing projects and help struggling writers.
- Shared Digital Planners – Organize assignments and family schedules with Google Calendar or Trello.
- AI as a Study Buddy – Use NotebookLM, ChatGPT, or Gemini for custom quizzes and explanations.
- Digital Library Tools – Unlock free eBooks, audiobooks, and online classes through your local library.
- Custom YouTube Playlists – Keep kids safe online with curated video collections using Padlet, Wavelet, or Google Slides.
- Canva for Learning – Teach graphic design and visual communication through posters, infographics, and comics.
- Creative Alternatives to Reports – Replace essays with videos, animations, or interactive slideshows.
- Virtual Field Trips – Explore the world online through Google Earth and museum tours.
- Reuse Old Devices – Turn unused tech into dedicated tools for learning or reading.
- Screen Recording for Tech Help – Show (not tell) when troubleshooting.
- Chatbots for Solving Tech Problems – Use AI tools to fix software issues and learn new features.
- Gamified Reviews – Make learning fun with Kahoot, Blooket, Quizlet, Vocabulary.com, and ClassTools.
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 12 Homeschool Tech Hacks appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
343: New Ways to Use Canva for HomeschoolingCanva continues to be one of the most versatile and homeschool-friendly tools available. In this episode, I’m joined again by Rebecca Brinkman, teacher of the Graphic Design with Canva class at show sponsor FundaFunda Academy. We explore the latest Canva updates for 2025 and how you can use them in your homeschool.
What We Cover: Major interface changes – how the “Create” button and navigation have shifted. * Better organization – folders for uploads and easier searching. * AI tools in Canva – what’s still free, what’s limited, and how Canva Code opens doors to “vibe coding.” * Photo editing upgrades – including auto-select and advanced adjustments. * Canva Sheets – turning homeschool data into beautiful, visual charts and graphs. * Collaboration tools* – why you should try designing alongside your students.
Rebecca also shares her free Canva 2025 Reference Guide so you can keep up with all the changes.
Links and Resources:* Rebecca’s Free Canva Reference Guide * FundaFunda Academy’s graded semester class Graphic Design with Canva class and the new self-paced, parent-graded version.
Where to find Rebecca online:* Website: Rose and Bird * Instagram * FaceBook * YouTube
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 New Ways to Use Canva for Homeschooling appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
342: Building Worlds in Unreal EngineIn this episode of we welcome back repeat guest, Matthew Jurison, a high schooler, teaching assistant at FundaFunda Academy, and tech enthusiast. Matthew shares how he first discovered Unreal Engine, why he chose it over other platforms like Unity and Roblox Studio, and why it’s a powerful, free option for teens interested in game development, visual effects, and creative storytelling.
We cover:
- What Unreal Engine is and what it can be used for (games, CGI, VFX, and more)
- How to get started quickly and what resources (YouTube, Discord, Udemy, Sketchfab) can help
- Why Unreal Engine is beginner-friendly—even for teens with little or no coding background
- How skills like problem-solving, creativity, and workflow management transfer into real life, college, and future careers
- Tips for beginners: how to start small, stay motivated, and avoid common pitfalls
Matthew also gives us a peek into his own current project—a puzzle/horror survival game—and explains how Unreal Engine has changed the way he views both games and the world around him.
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Previous episodes with Matthew on Scratch (ep 326) and Blender (ep 313)
- Unreal Engine
- Suggested YouTubers: Matt Aspland, Gorka Games
- Learning platforms: Udemy, Sketchfab
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
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341: Using Google Translate in Your HomeschoolGoogle Translate isn’t just for travelers trying to decipher a menu abroad—it can also be an incredibly useful tool in your homeschool. In this episode, you will learn creative ways to integrate both the browser version and the mobile app of Google Translate into everyday learning.
What you’ll learn in this episode: Practical uses in foreign language learning:*
+ Translate unfamiliar words in library books.
+ Practice pronunciation and see if Google Translate understands your child’s accent.
+ Role-play dialogues, even if you don’t speak the target language.
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Applications beyond language learning:
- Translate street signs during virtual geography explorations on Google Maps.
- Translate primary source documents for history or research projects.
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Exploring the new Practice Mode (beta):
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What “listen” and “speak” modes look like in Spanish and French.
- How AI adapts lessons to your personal goals.
- Why it’s a fun supplement for students at different proficiency levels.
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 Google Translate in Your Homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
Episode 340 — Video Scholarship Tips (with Monica Matthews)Looking for video scholarship tips that actually work? In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, scholarship expert Monica Matthews shares practical video scholarship tips for high school (and younger) students—how to hook judges fast, align your story with a sponsor’s mission, film with simple lighting and clear audio, avoid script-reading, and submit authentic, AI-proof entries that stand out in college scholarship competitions.
What this episode covers Why video scholarships are growing (hint: AI-proofing & faster judging) * How video entries differ from written essays—but keep the same “heart” * Practical strategies for camera-shy students * A step-by-step prep checklist (gear, setup, delivery) * Content tips that make judges lean in * Common mistakes that quietly disqualify strong applicants * Encouragement to start scholarship hunting before* senior year
Key takeaways1) Why more scholarships want video* Organizations want the real student—voice, presence, personal stories—less vulnerable to ghost-writing/AI. * Video lets judges scan more entries quickly and spot authentic connection to their mission.
2) Video vs. essay: same heart, new canvas* Align to the sponsor’s mission just like a written essay—then show it. * Use visuals/props/locations that reinforce fit (e.g., record in a barn for an FFA scholarship). * Voice, pacing, and genuine enthusiasm communicate things text can’t.
3) For camera-shy students* It’s a learned skill: practice short takes; use bullet points (not scripts). * Relaxation cues help (hydrate, quick snack, breathe, light stretch, brief chat with a friend). * Place a tiny sticker by the lens to remind you to look at the camera and smile. * Consider a (free) voice-activated teleprompter sparingly—bullet points are still best.
4) Production & setup tips (simple wins) Lighting: face a window or use an inexpensive ring light. Avoid dim rooms/backlighting. * Audio: test levels; earbuds often beat laptop mics. * Framing/background: uncluttered, distraction-free; sit/stand tall. * Silence interruptions: pets out, phone in another room, “recording” sign on the door, fans/alerts off. * Format/time rules:* follow file type/size limits; use the full allowed time without exceeding it.
5) Content tips that stand out Start with a hook—a vivid moment, a surprise, or a concise claim that tees up your story. * Tell one focused story that demonstrates qualities the sponsor values; show growth/impact. * Be specific: concrete details beat generalities. * Use bullet points off-camera so delivery stays natural; do not read a script. * Slow down, articulate, and let your enthusiasm show. * Avoid filler: Don’t start with “Hi, my name is…” or restate your GPA/prompt—judges already have your application. * Appear on camera* (not just slides/B-roll)—authenticity matters.
6) Common pitfalls to avoid* Over-polish/perfection that feels inorganic. * Ignoring the sponsor’s mission statement. * Submitting in the wrong orientation/format or going over time. * Cluttered background, poor lighting, or rushed, monotone delivery.
Quick checklistBefore you record ☐ Read the prompt & rules (time limit, file type, orientation). * ☐ Review the sponsor’s mission; jot 3 bullets that connect you* to it. * ☐ Choose a clean, on-theme location and outfit (business-casual unless a purposeful costume supports the prompt). * ☐ Set up lighting and test audio. * ☐ Put phone on Do Not Disturb / out of sight; post a “Recording” sign.
Practice
- ☐ Draft a hook first sentence.
- ☐ Bullet the middle (story → evidence → impact).
- ☐ End with a memorable close + why this scholarship matters to your goals.
- ☐ Time a full run-through; aim to use the allotted time.
Record & review
- ☐ Maintain eye contact with the lens; smile naturally.
- ☐ Speak clearly and slower than you think.
- ☐ Verify format/size; filename is sensible (e.g., Lastname_Scholarship_Title.mp4).
Resources & linksMonica Matthews — How to Win Scholarships (How2WinScholarships.com)
- Website & blog with video-scholarship tips
- Blog post on video scholarships with tips and an extensive list of awards
- Facebook group for parents: Scholarship Help and College Talk for Parents
- Facebook page for everyone: How to Win College Scholarships
- Direct order link for the ebooks
- Scholarship tips and lists email sign up (FREE)
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Previous episodes with Monica:
- Ep 274: Ethical AI use for Scholarship Success
- Ep 117: Tips for Completing Online Scholarship Applications
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 Video Scholarship Tips appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
339: Online Hide and Seek GameIn this episode, we learn about a unique geography game that blends fun with learning: Hide and Seek and its companion app World Streaks Geography. Whether you’re looking for a quick game to play in the car, a way to make geography more interactive, or a multiplayer activity for your teens, this resource has something for everyone.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode World Streaks Geography app (Apple only): A quick, streak-based guessing game where you identify countries from photos. Great for on-the-go play. * Hide and Seek World online game*: A browser-based multiplayer platform where you can:
+ Play two public games daily for free.
+ Create or join private rooms (paid feature) to compete with family, friends, or other homeschoolers. This allows customization – see graphic below.
+ Track your stats and see your place on the leaderboard.
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Three game modes explained:
- Classic Hide and Seek: Players hide somewhere on the map, others try to find them.
- Find Wolly: A race against the clock to locate a hidden spot.
- King of the World: Fast-paced competition with up to 200 players.
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Tips for using the game in homeschooling:
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Add it to a geography class for interactive learning.
- Use it as a family game night option.
- Encourage teens to challenge each other or stream games online.
Why Try It?* Free options available. * Simple setup with guided tutorials. * Helps kids (and adults!) sharpen geography knowledge in a fun, engaging way.
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
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338: Supporting Your Teen in Online ClassesOnline classes can be a fantastic way for teens to learn — but only if parents know how to support them well.
Every year, many parents are surprised mid-semester when they discover their teen is failing an online class. The truth is: this can be avoided with the right balance of structure, accountability, and encouragement. In this episode, you’ll learn practical strategies for guiding your teen without micromanaging, helping them develop independence, and avoiding common pitfalls.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:* Why parents must stay involved — even in online classes * The differences between live, asynchronous, and self-paced classes (and how each affects parent involvement) * How to create a good learning environment and routine * Tips for teaching accountability, executive function, and time management * Why teens — not parents — should be emailing teachers * Ways to encourage motivation and celebrate progress * How to guide teens in using AI and other digital tools responsibly * The importance of letting teens experience natural consequences (and not rescuing them) * When it’s appropriate for parents to step in and advocate
Meryl shares both her experience as a teacher at FundaFunda Academy and her perspective as a homeschool mom of four — three of whom needed lots of accountability and one who didn’t. She emphasizes that your role is not to do the work for your teen, but to coach, cheer, and guide them toward independence.
Resources and Links Mentioned in This Episode:* FundaFunda Academy Classes – show sponsor (registration open until August 31 for fall classes; self-paced options available year-round) * Join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook
If you found this episode helpful, please share it with other parents whose teens are taking online classes. And don’t forget to leave a rating and review to help more homeschoolers discover the show!
The post Supporting Your Teen in Online Classes appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
337: Homeschool AI Hacks: How to Write Prompts That WorkIn 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.
Core Elements of a Strong Prompt 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
Advanced Prompt Hacks 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?”
Using Multiple LLMs Together* 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.
Real-Life Homeschool ApplicationsQuick 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.
Sample Prompts“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?”
Resources related to this episode:* 20 ChatGPT prompts for homeschool parents (free) * FundaFunda’s AI Unit Study for families * FundaFunda’s half-credit AI class for grades 7–12
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.
336: 10 Tech Tools to Make Writing FunAre 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.
- Story Dice Tool:* Story Dice
- Description: Roll virtual icons and weave them into a story—great for melting the blank-page dread.
- Comic Strips 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
- Fake Social Media Posts 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
- Audio Storytelling Tool:* Voice memos (mobile) or any audio-recording app
- Description: Record stories aloud, then transcribe—friendly for reluctant writers or those with dyslexia.
- Collaborative Writing Tool:* Google Docs
- Description: Pass the story along in real-time with siblings or friends—editing is a breeze.
- Write & Illustrate a Book Tools:* StoryJumper or Book Creator
- Description: Create illustrated stories for younger siblings—a short text plus pictures brings stories to life.
- Related Episode: Episode 156 – eBook Creators to use in your Homeschool
- Choose-Your-Own-Adventure (Interactive Fiction) 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
- Random Image Sparks 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.
- Create a Documentary Tool:* MySimpleShow.com
- Description: Turn written ideas into narrated visuals—perfect for research projects in middle/high school.
- Guided Poetry Tools 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
Bonus: Share Student Work with Padlet Tool: Padlet * Description: A visual “pin-board” for students to display and share writing—with family, friends, or co-op groups. * Related Episode: Episode 260 – Unlocking the Power of Padlet*
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
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335: How Homeschoolers Can Use Brisk AIIn 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.
334: Creating an AI Policy for your HomeschoolWe 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.
- If you want to be kept informed of more contests and free webinars, sign up here (and get a free ChatGPT prompt guide for homeschool parents!)
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.
Episode 333: Using Media in Foreign Language LearningIn 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.
332: Engineering Exploration at Home 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:
Engineering A to Z is designed for grades 7–12 and helps students:
- 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.
Episode 331: Scavenger Hunts That Bring Local History to LifeIn 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
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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?
Email Meryl at meryl@fundafunda.com or message her on Instagram: @FundaFundaEducation
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.
330: How I Use AI to Kickstart CreativityUse 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.
329: Teaching Students to Navigate Social MediaTeaching 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 Simons, 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)
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.
328: Useful Technology in Homeschooling Special Needs High Schoolers with Melody DurhamIn 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:
- Yale Center for Dyslexia’s Technology Recommendations
- LiveScribe Pen
- Good quality microphone
- Microsoft Surface using OneNote
- Dragon NaturallySpeaking
- Chirp Books
- Bookshare
- Screen readers (built into Chrome and Edge)
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.
327: Fun group games to play onlineWhether you’re on a long trip, stuck indoors on a rainy day, or trying to connect with faraway family, group games to play online can be a great way to build memories and share laughter. In this episode, Meryl shares the games her Science Olympiad team enjoyed during a long bus ride to Nationals—and offers suggestions for how you can use them in your own homeschool (even for educational purposes!).
Games Mentioned1. Heads Up
* App-based word guessing game
* Best played in person
* Use free decks or purchase themed packs
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Jackbox Games
- Paid game packs with multiplayer party-style games
- Family-friendly mode available
- Some favorites: Quiplash, TKO, Murder Trivia Party
- One purchase is enough for everyone to join via their own devices
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Gartic Phone
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Free, browser-based game combining drawing and guessing
- Great for laughs as phrases mutate like a game of “telephone”
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Drawasaurus
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Free online drawing and guessing game
- Quick rounds, supports large groups
Bonus TipMany of these games allow custom prompts—perfect for reinforcing topics like history, science, or vocabulary in a fun and interactive way!
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
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326: Why Scratch is the Perfect First Programming Language to LearnIn this episode, host Meryl van der Merwe is joined by returning guest Matthew Jurison, a homeschool teen. Together, they explore why Scratch is an ideal language for beginners learning to code.
What You’ll Learn:
- How Scratch compares to text-based languages like JavaScript and Python
- Why Scratch’s drag-and-drop interface is approachable for all ages
- Matthew’s journey learning programming—from JavaScript to Scratch to Unreal Engine
- The benefits of learning through a structured class vs. self-teaching
- How Scratch teaches real programming logic in a simplified environment
- How remixing others’ games on Scratch can boost creativity and understanding
- The importance of critical thinking and problem-solving in programming
- Whether kids should still learn to code in an age of AI tools like ChatGPT
A Scratch Game to Try:
- This is a simple hidden objects game – click on the items when you see them. Move with the arrow keys and the space bar toggles the list of what you need to find off and on.
Want Your Child to Learn Scratch?
FundaFunda Academy offers:
- A semester-long Scratch class (graded with teaching assistant support)
- Five-week beginner/intermediate/advanced Scratch options—perfect for summer – also graded and with support
Use code SUMMER10 at checkout on FundaFundaAcademy.com to get $10 off any Scratch class until August 31, 2025.
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 Why Scratch is the Perfect First Programming Language to Learn appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
Gamified Chess with DuolingoIn this episode, we explore Duolingo’s newest addition—chess, which of course is gamified the way their languages are.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why Duolingo has added chess and how it fits into their gamified platform
- How Duolingo teaches chess step-by-step, making it accessible even for beginners
- How gamified challenges in the app build logical thinking and strategy skills
- How Duolingo uses ELO ratings and tracks your progress
- Why this might be a great way to introduce chess to homeschoolers, even reluctant ones
- Tips for parents on how to use the app with their children
Benefits of Duolingo Chess for Homeschoolers:
- Builds strategic thinking
- Low-pressure learning through bite-sized lessons
- Encourages methodical and logical problem-solving
- Fun, puzzle-style progression keeps learners engaged
FundaFunda Contest:
FundaFunda Academy’s Summer Stock Market Challenge is back! For just $10, students get:
- Access to the full 2-month competition (June–July)
- The accompanying Stock Market Unit Study (a $20 value)
- A chance to win Amazon gift cards if they place in the top 3
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
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324: Free Online CurriculumIn this episode, Meryl shares strategies and specific resources for stretching your homeschool budget by leveraging high-quality free curriculum. You’ll hear about four “all-in-one” programs, dozens of subject-specific tools, how to snag freebies from vendors, and tips for DIYing your own courses with AI assistance.
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“All-in-One” Homeschool CurriculaThese comprehensive platforms give you daily lesson plans for multiple grades and subjects—often covering 80–90% of what you need.
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Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool (grades 8–12; Christian worldview, but easily adapted)
- Khan Academy (beyond math: science, history, arts; best as a supplement)
- Ambleside Online (Charlotte Mason style; public-domain “living books”; year-based levels)
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CK-12 Foundation (flexible “Flexbooks” in math, science, social studies, electives; built-in videos, quizzes, AI practice)
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Subject-Specific Free ResourcesIf you need only one or two subjects, pick and choose from these specialized platforms:
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Civics & Government: iCivics (interactive games & lessons)
- STEM & Finance: EverFi (STEM, history, health, personal finance)
- Coding: Code.org (full K–12 computer science courses)
- Personal Finance: Next Gen Personal Finance (games, interactives)
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Foreign Language: Duolingo (supplement), Mango Languages (library-provided)
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Vendor “Freebies” in Exchange for EmailMany curriculum publishers offer sample unit studies or mini-courses free when you subscribe:
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FundaFunda Academy – “States of Matter” unit study (grades 4–8)
- PeanutButterFish Lessons – weekly free unit studies for younger ages
- Music in Our Homeschool – free music-appreciation lessons
- Literary Adventures for Kids – curated reading lists by grade
- Seven Sisters Homeschool – three years of free high-school English outlines
Tip: Use a spreadsheet or digital folder system (see Ep. 219) to track all your downloads, logins, and newsletter freebies.
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DIY Curriculum with AI AssistanceWhen you can’t find exactly what you need, build your own:
-
Gather source materials: library books, YouTube Crash Course videos, open educational resources.
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Leverage AI (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.) to generate:
- Lesson outlines
- Comprehension questions & quizzes
- Suggested projects & hands-on activities
- Grading rubrics and schedules
- Customize by age, credit requirements, and learning style.
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
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323: Innovative Ways to Use Google Talking ToursIn this episode we take a deep dive into Google Talking Tours, an AI-powered tool from Google Arts & Culture that lets users explore landmarks and cultural sites around the world with automatically narrated tours.
Whether you’re teaching geography, history, writing, photography, or just looking for an engaging and free activity, here are 10 innovative ways homeschool families can use this tool to create meaningful learning experiences.
What Are Google Talking Tours?* Found in the Google Arts & Culture Experiments * Allows students to explore locations via Google Street View * Narration starts automatically, offering historical and cultural facts * Users can:
+ Take snapshots
+ Ask questions
+ Navigate by category or keyword search to select the place to explore
10 Creative Ways to Use Talking Tours1. Alternate History Stories 2. Create a Travel Brochure or Video Ad 3. Scavenger Hunt Challenge 4. Dream Day Itinerary 5. Creative Writing Prompt 6. Soundtrack Challenge 7. Prediction Game 8. Photography Composition Practice 9. Be the Tour Guide 10. Art vs. Reality Comparison
Links Mentioned* Google Talking Tours
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.
Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice while 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.
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This is a replay of episode 187. Go to that episode for the show notes.
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322 : Online help for homeschool children with learning challenges
Episode Summary:In this episode, Meryl chats with Krisa Wynn about Homeschool Heroes, an online platform designed to support homeschool families with children who have learning challenges — or as they call them, “unique learners.” Krisa shares how the platform provides free and paid resources, community groups, learning assessments, consultations, and quarterly day-off events for homeschoolers.
Homeschool Heroes is an expansion of the original SPED Homeschool nonprofit, but now offers even more ways to connect, support, and empower homeschool families, including those dealing with ADHD, autism, trauma, and other special circumstances.
Meryl and Krisa also discuss how Homeschool Heroes offers a better alternative to Facebook groups by avoiding algorithm issues, and allowing real peer-to-peer connection and expert access.
Meryl shares how FundaFunda Academy (the show sponsor) also supports students with learning challenges through flexible, tech-integrated, asynchronous online classes.
What You’ll Learn About: What Homeschool Heroes is and how it grew from SPED Homeschool * Free resources available, including downloads for curriculum enrichment and high school support * How the community groups work — even for free subscribers — and why they offer a better experience than Facebook groups * The tagging system that helps homeschoolers find exactly the resources they need * The Mindprint Learning cognitive assessment tool for identifying strengths and learning needs * The quarterly “Homeschool Parent Day Off” events (next event: May 8, 2025*) * One-on-one consultation services for personalized homeschool help * How Homeschool Heroes connects parents with trusted homeschool providers like FundaFunda Academy
Important Links: Homeschool Heroes Website * Register for the May 8th Day-Off Event (Free and online!)* * Learn about Mindprint Cognitive Assessments
Connect with Homeschool Heroes:* Facebook * Instagram
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.
Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice while 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.
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321: Why Math Should Be FunIn this episode, host Meryl van der Merwe is joined by Mina Neuberg from Wonder Math, to explore why making math fun is essential.
Topics Covered:* The connection between math and technology careers * Why so many students and parents struggle with math anxiety * How a growth mindset can transform math learning * What makes Wonder Math unique: live instruction, gamification, story-based learning, and continuity * The importance of contextual, real-world math applications * Simple, practical ways to bring joy and play into your homeschool math lessons * Ideas for helping kids who already believe they are “bad at math”
Key Takeaways: Parental attitude matters: When parents say they hate math, kids absorb that belief. * Math is more than memorization: Wonder Math helps students embrace mistakes and view math as a problem-solving journey. * Gamification works: Earning rewards can help shift a child’s mindset from dread to excitement. * Start small: Use cooking, tipping, budgeting, or sports stats to teach math concepts in fun ways. * Context matters*: Math taught through stories or student interests is easier to retain.
Free Offer:Try Wonder Math free for a month using the code MERYL at wondermath.com.
Resources Mentioned: Khan Academy * YouTube videos on “fun math” topics customized to your child’s interests * Wonder Math Blog – especially the Homeschool and Math Fun* categories
Connect with Wonder Math:* Facebook – Wonder Math Education * Instagram – Wonder Math Education Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.
Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice while 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.
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This is a replay of episode 127. Go to that episode for the show notes.
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320: Virtual Vacation: Travel the World Without a PassportSummer is almost here, and while a real vacation might still be a few weeks away, you and your homeschoolers can start exploring the world right now—take a virtual vacation!
In this episode, discover Virtual Vacation, a free and engaging website that lets you experience cities around the globe through walking, driving, and flying tours. It’s more immersive than Google Maps and a fantastic way to make geography and cultural studies come alive.
Highlights from the episode:
- What Virtual Vacation offers and how to use it
- Types of tours: walking, driving, flying, monuments, road trips, live cams, and virtual windows
- The built-in City Guesser game (similar to GeoGuessr) that tests your geography knowledge
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Creative ways to use the platform in your homeschool:
- Creative writing prompts based on real-world settings
- Comparative studies across multiple cities
- Language learning by listening to real conversations
- Memory games inspired by game show-style recall activities
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.
Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice while 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.
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319: Teaching Your Children How to Troubleshoot TechWe’ve all faced tech frustrations and needed to troubleshoot tech —whether it’s a stubborn printer, glitchy software, or a bug on your website. As homeschoolers, we have the unique advantage of turning these moments into powerful, real-life learning experiences.
In this episode, you’ll learn: Why modeling tech troubleshooting is so important for your children * How to involve your kids in the problem-solving process (even if you think you know the solution!) * The value of teaching children to use manuals, help functions, and support forums * Why learning to explain a tech problem clearly builds communication and critical thinking skills * How ChatGPT—especially the IT Support GPT*—can become your new tech assistant * A practical example of how Meryl fixed a tricky website bug using AI guidance * Ways to use troubleshooting as a writing, reading comprehension, and direction-following exercise
Resources Mentioned:* FundaFunda Academy’s Computer Applications Class * ChatGPT * Edpuzzle
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 Your Children How to Troubleshoot Tech appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
318: Free Online Tools to Study the U.S. ConstitutionDo you really know what the U.S. Constitution says? In today’s episode, Meryl welcomes back veteran homeschooler Vicki Tillman to share free and engaging online tools to study the constitution to help homeschoolers (and parents!) better understand this foundational document.
Resources Mentioned:
Vicki’s 30-Day Constitution Challenge
https://vickitillmancoaching.com/
National Constitution Center – Constitution 101 Course
https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/constitution-101-course
iCivics (games + lessons)
https://www.icivics.org/
Highly recommended! Try the game Do I Have a Right? —It teaches the Bill of Rights in a fun and immersive way.
Let’s Get High School Done (by Natalie Mack)
https://natalie-mack.com/
PBS Civics Resources
https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/
Khan Academy: US Government and Civics
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-government-and-civics
Impartial Points YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@impartialpoints
Rutgers University Civic Ed Site
https://civiced.rutgers.edu/
Where to find Vicki Tillman & Seven Sisters Homeschool:
- Website: Seven Sisters Homeschool
- Podcast: The Homeschool Highschool Podcast
- Facebook: 7 Sisters Homeschool
- Facebook Group: 7 Sisters Homeschool Group
- Instagram: @7sistershomeschool
- Substack: https://7sistershomeschool.substack.com/
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.
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 Free Online Tools to Study the U.S. Constitution appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
317: Using Khan Academy in your HomeschoolIn this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, we explore the many ways homeschoolers can use Khan Academy. While many may be familiar with Khan Academy for math practice, there are many other subjects and tools available that can supplement and enrich a homeschool curriculum.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Navigating Khan Academy: If you land on the AI-powered K-Migo tools, click on Explore at the top to access the traditional Khan Academy resources. * Khan Academy Kids App: Designed for ages 2-8, this free educational app is available on Apple, Android, and Amazon devices. * Using Khan Academy for Math: A great resource for extra math practice, including grade-based courses and “Get Ready” courses for summer review before advancing to new levels. * Beyond Math – Other Subjects Available: + Test Prep: Free SAT prep (math and full digital SAT practice). + Science & Economics: Middle school and high school levels, including AP courses. + Computing: Courses like “Computers and the Internet” and AP-level computer science. + Reading & Language Arts: Grammar and reading comprehension. + Life Skills: Career planning and personal finance. + Arts & Humanities:* U.S. history, world history, art history, and partner courses with organizations like NASA and Nobel Labs.
How Homeschoolers Can Use Khan Academy Effectively: Creating a Class Account: Parents can set up an account and assign lessons to their children, tracking progress and mastery points. * Assigning Specific Lessons: Focus on particular areas of need, such as fractions or ecology, by selecting targeted lessons. * Interactive Learning: Many courses now include quizzes, mastery assessments, and end-of-module tests. * Monitoring Student Progress: View student reports to ensure completion and understanding. * Using Khan Academy as a Supplement:* While full courses are available, it’s best used alongside other resources, such as books, projects, and hands-on activities.
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.
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.
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316: Gamify History with Mission US GamesIn this episode, we’re diving into how you can gamify history with Mission US games. This immersive, interactive resource has been a favorite of mine for years, and I’m excited to revisit it, especially since they’ve updated their offerings.
What is Mission US?Mission US is a free, interactive educational game platform aimed at middle schoolers, although it’s versatile enough to be used with high school students as well. It allows students to step into the shoes of historical characters and experience key moments in U.S. history.
Website: missionus.org/play
Available MissionsMission US currently offers six operational missions:
- For Crown or Colony? (1770 – American Revolution)
- A Cheyenne Odyssey (1866 – Westward Expansion)
- City of Immigrants (1907 – Immigrant Experience)
- Up from the Dust (1929 – Great Depression)
- Prisoner in My Homeland (1941 – World War II)
- No Turning Back (1960 – Civil Rights Movement)
Note: The Antebellum Era mission is currently under redevelopment.
Why Use Mission US in Your Homeschool? Immersive Learning: Students play as historical characters, making decisions that shape their journey and outcomes. * Engaging Content: Each mission is historically accurate and offers a break from traditional learning methods. * Interactive Features: Includes character profiles, trailers, and decision trackers to keep students engaged. * Adaptable:* While aimed at middle school, the content is rich enough for high school use.
Highlights of Mission US Features Teacher Dashboard: Homeschool parents can track progress, monitor completion, and review decision outcomes. * Variety of Formats: Missions are available as apps, downloadable programs, or online games. * Supplemental Resources:* Includes decision trackers, writing activities, reflection prompts, and additional materials like timelines and background information.
Example: “For Crown or Colony?”In this mission, students step into the role of Nat Wheeler, a fictional character navigating life in 1770 Boston. Here’s what to expect:
- Meet Historical Figures: Interact with characters like Paul Revere, Phyllis Wheatley, and Benjamin Edes.
- Decision-Making: Choices impact the story’s progression and outcomes.
- Reflection Opportunities: Writing prompts and discussions deepen understanding.
- Additional Activities: Explore timelines, character profiles, and external resources like Colonial Williamsburg.
Tips for Using Mission US in Your Homeschool Integrate Writing: Use decision trackers and reflections as writing assignments. * Encourage Collaboration: Discuss choices and outcomes as a family * Extend Learning: Assign projects like digital posters, videos, or infographics based on the missions. * Monitor Progress:* Use the teacher dashboard to ensure your child is fully engaging with the material.
Links Mentioned:
-
- Mission US Website
- FundaFunda’s online high school US History class
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.
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.
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315: Google Arts and Culture GamesIn this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, we dive into the interactive games and activities available through Google Arts & Culture.
Resources Mentioned:
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- Google Arts & Culture – Play Section
Key Highlights:
- Introduction to Google Arts & Culture Games:
- Overview of the “Play” section on the platform.
- How these games can supplement art and cultural education for homeschoolers.
- Game Reviews and Ideas for Homeschoolers:
- Mixtape: Combine famous artworks with music and use it to spark discussions about art and emotions.
- Art Zoom Out: Predict what surrounds a partial artwork and engage in imaginative storytelling.
- Talking Towns: Explore cultural landmarks with AI commentary.
- Doodle Guide: Hone drawing skills with interactive feedback.
- Mice in the Museum: A charming introduction to art for younger learners with two mice discussing paintings.
- Musical Activities:
- Musical Canvas: Draw and create music simultaneously.
- Blob Opera & Kandinsky Experiment: Engage with sound and color through interactive tools.
- Puzzle Games:
- Puzzle Party: Create jigsaw puzzles from famous artworks and collaborate remotely.
- Undough: A playful spin on Hangman, uncovering world monuments.
- Odd One Out: Identify AI-generated art among real pieces.
- Cultural Crosswords & Visual Crosswords: Challenge your knowledge of arts and culture.
- Coloring Pages & Trivia Fun:
- Coloring activities featuring themes like NASA, pandas, and Christmas.
- Trivia games like “Guess the Line,” where AI guesses your drawings.
How to Use These Games in Homeschooling:
- Foster creativity and critical thinking.
- Incorporate games into art, music, and culture lessons.
- Use them for family collaboration and fun learning moments.
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.
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
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314: Google Arts and CultureGoogle Arts and Culture is a resource I’ve mentioned before, but in this episode we dive into the vast offerings on the site’s homepage. Next week, I’ll explore the games and interactive experiences under the “Play” section.
Whether you’re looking for a free art curriculum, a quick educational activity, or a resource to supplement your homeschooling curriculum, Google Arts and Culture is a treasure trove for learners of all ages.
What is Google Arts and Culture?
Google Arts and Culture is a free platform showcasing art, culture, history, and more through online exhibits, interactive tools, and curated content. You can access it at artsandculture.google.com.
Highlights from the Homepage the day I recorded
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Turn Your Life into Art:
- Explore the app version of Google Arts and Culture.
- You can experiment with turning photos into artistic creations.
- Assign your high schoolers to explore the app and report their findings!
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Online Exhibits:
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Examples include Switzerland’s majestic mountains, Australia’s ocean nomads, and more.
- Each exhibit combines images, videos, and text, offering an immersive experience.
- Great for geography, history, or cultural studies.
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Celebrate Events and Topics:
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The homepage features seasonal and topical exhibits, like Black History Month.
- Dive into fascinating themes like “10 Animals with Superpowers” or “Historic Housing in LA.”
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Some Games are highlighted
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Da Vinci Stickies: Combine sketches like wings and lungs to create AI-powered inventions.
- Explore Da Vinci’s codices and learn more about his creative genius.
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Other Content:
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Browse old newspapers, incredible libraries, and art movements.
- Engage younger learners with color-based art exploration activities.
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.
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
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313: 3D Modeling with Blender: A Teen’s PerspectiveIn this episode, Meryl is joined by teen guest Matthew Jurison, who shares his experiences using Blender, a free 3D modeling and visual effects software. Matthew, a self-taught Blender enthusiast with years of experience, discusses how he got started, the skills he’s developed, and why Blender is an excellent tool for creative teens. He also highlights some of his favorite projects and the challenges he’s faced while learning and creating with Blender
Questions Matthew answers about 3D modeling with Blender:
- What is Blender, what is it used for, and how much does it cost?
- How did you get started with Blender, and what inspired you to learn it?
- How did you teach yourself Blender?
- Is Blender beginner-friendly, or do you need prior skills?
- What kinds of projects have you created using Blender?
- How do you export Blender projects for use in game development or filmmaking?
- What is the coolest project you’ve ever made with Blender?
- What skills can students develop by using Blender, and how do these skills benefit other areas of life or academics?
- What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced while using Blender, and how did you overcome them?
Resources Mentioned:
- Blender – Free 3D modeling and visual effects software.
- YouTube tutorials – Especially this Beginner Blender Tutorial on Youtube
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.
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
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312: Using AI as a Study ToolIn this episode, we look at various AI resources and how they can be effective study tools. Please note there are previous podcast episode that go into more detail about all of these tools.
Featured AI Tools & Applications:ChatGPT:
- Creating custom practice questions at different difficulty levels
- Getting detailed feedback on answers
- Explaining complex concepts in simpler terms
NotebookLM:
- Summarizing and organizing large amounts of study material
- Creating custom study questions from uploaded content
- Generating different types of test questions (multiple choice, true/false, case studies)
- Works with digital documents and uploaded handwritten notes
Magic School AI:
- Creating customized learning environments with specific tools
- Allows teacher (parent) to monitor student progress
- No login is required for students to access classrooms
Resource Mentioned:
- Video: “Oxford researchers discovered how to use AI to learn like a genius“
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.
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
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311: 3 Online Cybersecurity GamesThese online cybersecurity games are a great way to teach students about how to keep safe online – and what exactly is involved in careers in this field.
Games Reviewed:1. Gandalf 1. * Players try to trick Gandalf into revealing passwords across multiple levels * Involves critical thinking and AI prompting skills * Two versions available: + Original Gandalf game (8 levels) + New version: “Gandalf and Friends” (5 levels) 2. Cyber Mission * Developed by US Military * Features four progressive games: + Protect + Defend + Analyze + Strike * Three difficulty levels per game (Bronze, Silver, Gold) * Includes educational resources and cybersecurity career information 3. PBS Nova Labs Cybersecurity Game * Designed for grades 6-12 * Approximately 75 minutes of gameplay * Features four main components: + Coding challenges + Password cracking challenges + Social engineering scenarios + Network attack defense * Combines coding practice with cybersecurity conceptsSpecial Offer:$20 discount code – CYBER20 (ends 31 March 2025) on FundaFunda’s Computer Science class
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.
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
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310: New Online Geography GamesThis episode features 7 new online geography games – new to me at least – but some are very new and use AI technology to increase the fun. All are free and can be played with no sign in required. Many allow you to create private rooms to play in.
Games Featured in This Episode1. GeoScents: Choose categories like World, Europe, Africa etc. Select where the given place is on a world map. Options include creating private rooms for group play. 2. Statdle Guess the country based on 4 categories eg alphabetical order, latitude. Narrow down options as you go, and use hints if you get stuck. 3. GeoQuest: Good for younger children. Identify countries on a zoomable map with helpful directional hints. Practice mode and daily challenges available. 4. GuessWhereYouAre.com: A Google Street View game that drops you into random locations.. Use clues from the environment to figure out where you are. 5. Nightmare on View Street: A creative twist on geography that incorporates AI-generated ghosts and monsters against a background of a famous place that you must guess. 6. Touring Test: A geography guessing game based on AI-generated pictures and descriptions. 7. Time Portal: Travel back in time to guess the location and year of historical events. AI-generated videos.
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.
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 New Online Geography Games appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
309: Drawing Made Easy with Free Online ToolsIn this episode, we’re exploring free online tools to make drawing fun and accessible for homeschoolers of all ages. Whether your child is a budding artist or you’re just looking for a creative activity to incorporate into your homeschool routine, these four resources offer a variety of ways to engage with art.
1. Art for Kids Hub (YouTube Channel)* A family-friendly YouTube channel featuring step-by-step drawing tutorials. * The host, a dad, teaches alongside his children, showing that kids can create their own unique versions. * Topics range from famous figures (e.g., Martin Luther King Jr.) to fun subjects like Spider-Man, snowflakes, and penguins. * Most tutorials are under 10 minutes and can be embedded into tools like Google Slides or Padlet for easy access.
2. Kleki* A straightforward digital drawing tool with no login required. * Ideal for beginners with simple tools like layers, cropping, and flipping, but also offers more advanced options as skills improve. * Drawings can be downloaded or shared, making it versatile for creative projects.
3. AutoDraw* Combines traditional digital drawing tools with AI-powered assistance. * The “magic pencil” helps turn rough sketches into polished drawings by guessing what you’re drawing. * Great for those who want guidance while still adding their personal touch. * Tutorials are available for added support.
4. Quick Draw (by Google)* A fun Pictionary-style game where AI guesses what you’re drawing within 20 seconds. * Offers a humorous and interactive way to practice drawing and develop quick-thinking skills. * Great for all ages and even doubles as a vocabulary booster for younger children.
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.
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 Drawing Made Easy with Free Online Tools appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
308:Navigating Digital Risks with Kid Safe GPTKid Safe GPT is a custom GPT that helps parents navigate the risks in online games and apps and social media sites
Key Highlights:
- Common Sense Media: This website has a page about online games and includes info on risks. The list of games it covers is fairly limited though.
- Introduction to Kid Safe GPT:
- Developed by Paul Roetzer, CEO of SmarterX.ai, as his response to a teen’s suicide after interactions with character.ai
- A free tool integrated with ChatGPT that helps parents identify and mitigate risks associated with games, apps, and social media platforms.
- Includes areas on understanding risks, talking to kids, and creating safety guidelines.
- Sample prompts for popular platforms like Minecraft, Roblox, and Snapchat.
- Minecraft Example:
- Risks Identified: Stranger interactions, in-game purchases, inappropriate mods, excessive screen time, and privacy concerns.
- Proactive Strategies: Private servers, single-player mode, parental controls, approved mods, and time limits.
- Conversation Starters: How to approach your child about safety and understand their experiences.
- Why Use Kid Safe GPT:
- Offers insights into risks parents might overlook.
- Helps guide conversations about digital safety.
- Supports creating safety agreements with children for responsible usage.
Action Steps for Parents:
- Create a free ChatGPT account if you don’t already have one.
- Explore KidSafe GPT at https://smarterx.ai/kid-safe-gpt
- Use sample prompts to evaluate apps and games your kids use.
- Implement recommended safety measures and have ongoing conversations with your children.
Recommended Resource:
- The AI Show: Learn more about the latest in AI technology. (on all podcast players and Youtube)
Here is the segment discussing Kid Safe GPT
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.
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 Navigating Digital Risks with Kid Safe GPT appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
307: Prompting 101: A Beginner’s Guide for HomeschoolersToday’s episode is all about Prompting 101: A Beginner’s Guide for Homeschoolers.
If you’re new to AI tools like ChatGPT, I recommend starting with Episode 306: Starting Out with AI in Your Homeschool, where I introduce the basics.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What is prompting?
Prompting is the process of giving AI tools like ChatGPT directions in plain English to help you achieve specific tasks.
* A fun way to practice prompting:
Check out Google Labs’ game “Say What You See” to improve descriptive skills and practice crafting precise prompts. It’s a great activity for both kids and parents.
* Getting started with ChatGPT:
+ ChatGPT is free and easy to use.
+ Sign up in under 30 seconds and start exploring its capabilities for homeschooling.
+ Download my free PDF of 20 prompts to inspire your first AI interactions. (Sign up for FundaFunda Academy’s monthly newsletter to access this resource.)
* Practical example:*
I demonstrate how to create a game-based activity for middle schoolers to learn punctuation rules.
+ Start with a basic prompt and refine it as needed.
+ Customize themes to match your child’s interests, like pirates, dinosaurs, or pop culture references.
Key Takeaways:1. Think of AI as a junior intern in your homeschool. It will improve as you give it clearer instructions. 2. Experiment with multiple tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity to find what works best for you. 3. Keep prompting: The more context and specificity you provide, the better results you’ll get.
Please complete this survey so I can help you integrate AI and other tech in your homeschool Listener Survey:* Click here to fill it out.
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.
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 Prompting 101: A Beginner’s Guide for Homeschoolers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
306: Getting started with AI in your homeschoolHappy New Year! As we kick off 2025, it’s clear that AI is set to continue transforming our world—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, we’re diving into how you can begin integrating AI into your homeschool. Whether you’re completely new to AI or feeling a bit overwhelmed, this episode will give you practical steps to get started.
Key Takeaways:1. Why You Should Embrace AI in Your Homeschool: * Ease Your Workload: AI tools can simplify planning, grading, and research. * Teach Responsible Use: Equip your kids with the skills to use AI ethically and effectively. * Shape the Future: Understanding AI empowers you to influence how it impacts your family and society. 2. Understanding AI: * You’ve likely been using AI already—think Netflix recommendations, Facebook ads, Grammarly, and more. * Recent advancements like ChatGPT and other generative AI tools have made AI more accessible and versatile. * Generative AI creates new content, such as text, images, music, and videos, based on patterns it learns from data. 3. How to Get Started: * Learn First, Then Teach: Familiarize yourself with AI tools before introducing them to your children. * Create a Plan: Dedicate 15 minutes a week (or even a month) to explore new tools. * Use a Spreadsheet: Track tools, resources, and ideas for incorporating AI into your homeschool. * Focus on Pain Points: Identify challenges in your homeschool routine (e.g., lesson planning, grading, or finding resources) and prioritize AI tools that can address those issues. * Review Old Episodes: Revisit past episodes of this podcast for guidance on specific tools and strategies to get started with AI in homeschooling. * Start Small: Begin with one tool or feature that aligns with your immediate needs or interests.
Please complete this survey so I can help you integrate AI and other tech in your homeschool Listener Survey:* Click here to fill it out.
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.
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 Getting started with AI in your homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
305: Last Minute Digital Gift IdeasForgotten to get gifts for everyone? Or just run out of ideas? These unique digital gift ideas are ones homeschool families will love to give or receive! Here are the 12 ideas I mention in this episode.
- Online Escape Room Experiences
Interactive virtual escape rooms themed a the whole family can solve together. Editable gift vouchers make it easy to print off or email the gift. - Annual Subscription to a Streaming Service
Choose something unique like CuriosityStream (documentaries), BroadwayHD (theater), or MasterClass (learning from experts). - Online party games
Jackbox is the go-to for our family – be sure to check for age-appropriate ones. - Board Games Adapted for Online Play
Buy a Tabletopia – $80 for 6 months or Board Game Arena premium subscription for families to enjoy classic and modern board games virtually. - Scavenger Hunts
Scavengerhunt.com – Gift a year or just one hunt for 2 or 6 people. Can use in many cities all around the world - Audiobooks
Prepay for a subscription to Pinna (audiobooks and podcasts designed for kids) or an Audible Kids+ plan. - Online Gaming
Listen to last month’s episode – STEAM gift cards or Nintendo Online Subscripition - Online Cooking Classes
Live or recorded – YesChef - Digital Classes – Art, Graphic Design, Stop Motion, Music
Give them access to online art platforms like Skillshare, Procreate tutorials, or an Udemy course for digital drawing and painting. Show sponsor FundaFunda Academy offers some that are suitable as gifts - Virtual Coding Camps
Enroll them in platforms like CodeCombat, or FundaFunda Academy’s Scratch or Python classes for fun and engaging coding experiences. - Digital Tools Subscription
Gift access to tools like Canva Pro, Adobe Creative Cloud etc - Digital Comic Book Subscription (e.g., Marvel Unlimited, DC Universe Infinite):
Access to a vast library of comics for all ages. e.g., Marvel Unlimited, DC Universe Infinite
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 Last Minute Digital Gift Ideas appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
304: AI Assisted Holiday Planning and PrepThis episode covers AI Assisted Holiday Planning and Prep. Lots of ways to save time on tasks so you can spend time with family and friends.
- Creating a Detailed Schedule* Demonstrated using ChatGPT
- Example prompt: Sharing entire holiday to-do list
-
Benefits:
- Breaks down overwhelming tasks
- Creates day-by-day planning
- Can incorporate family member tasks
-
Gift Shopping and Ideas* Tips for effective prompts:
- Provide detailed personal preferences
- Be specific about constraints (budget, interests)
- Refine results with follow-up questions
-
Recipe and Leftover Management* Used AI to find recipes for leftover turkey
-
Suggestion: Provide available ingredients for more personalized recipe recommendations
-
Party and Travel Planning* Game suggestions for various age groups
- Christmas party games for 6-75 year olds
- Car trip games for children 10-14
-
Detailed game instructions available through AI
-
Educational Holiday Learning* Example: Exploring Christmas traditions in Iceland
- AI-suggested resources:
- Book recommendations
- YouTube video suggestions
- Interactive websites
- Cultural research projects
- Potential quiz and activity ideas
Practical AI Tool Tips* Use specific, detailed prompts * Try multiple AI platforms * Cross-reference suggestions * Use for inspiration when stuck
Recommended Platforms* ChatGPT * Claude * Perplexity * Gemini
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 AI Assisted Holiday Planning and Prep appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
303: 2024 Hour of Code HighlightsIn this episode, we explore highlights from the 2024 Hour of Code, an initiative during Computer Science Education Week to introduce students (and even parents!) to coding in fun and engaging ways. Whether your children are new to coding or already experienced, there’s something here for everyone.
What is Hour of Code? A global event during Computer Science Education Week (December 9-15, 2024). * Aimed at introducing coding to beginners in an approachable way. * Features free, interactive, and age-appropriate coding activities for everyone, from kindergarteners to adults. * The theme for 2024 is “Make the Invisible Visible”*, helping participants understand what happens behind the scenes in tech.
How to Participate* Visit hourofcode.com to access all activities (available year-round). * Customize searches by grade level, device type, and topic. * Try coding solo, as a family, or host an Hour of Code event with friends.
Why Join the Hour of Code?* Fun and easy way to explore computer science. * Encourages creativity and logical thinking. * Shows how programming powers everyday tech and games.
Highlights of 2024 Hour of Code Activities1. Music Lab Jam Session * Create music step-by-step by coding beats and melodies. * Features sound blocks to remix tracks from artists like Shakira and Sabrina Carpenter. * Introduces AI, allowing it to generate drum beats to complement your creations. 2. Hello World (Transformer 1) * Build and program Transformers-like robots to complete tasks. * Includes built-in hints and feedback to guide participants. 3. 3D Space Invaders Game * Code and control elements of a video game, like spaceship movement and enemy actions. * Perfect for visualizing how commands shape gameplay.
Bonus Opportunity: Christmas Coding ContestCheck out the Christmas Coding Contest sponsored by FundaFunda Academy!
- Designed for both beginners and experienced coders (using Scratch).
- Features interactive Christmas-themed scenes and tutorials.
- Entry fee: $5, with Amazon gift card prizes for top projects.
Sign up 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 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 2024 Hour of Code Highlights appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
302: Gaming Gift Ideas that Won’t Break the BankHeidi Lathram, is a homeschooler, homesteader, gamer, and educator with over 15 years of teaching experience and she share gaming gift ideas your children will love – and are affordable.
Below are links to various things Heidi mentioned in the podcast – you need to listen to the episode to understand the context and her specific recommendations.
Gaming Hardware Tips Console Options: + Nintendo Switch (2017, $300) Switch Lite (2019, $200) Switch OLED (2021, $350) + Xbox Series X (1TB, $500), (1TB, digital, $450) (2TB, $600); Series S (512G, digital, $300) + PlayStation 5 Pro (2024, $700) (controller, $200) ($1,000 bundle for all) * Why Choose PC Gaming?* + More affordable options (starting at $400). + Free multiplayer access and extensive game selection via platforms like Steam. + Retro gaming, family accounts, and customizable parental controls available. + Gaming PC ($400-2,000; newegg.com – look for their “Shell Shocker” deals – and other sites)
Game RecommendationsHeidi shares her favorite games, many created by indie developers:
- Heidi’s favorite (budget) game picks:– Stardew Valley ($15)– Core Keeper ($15)– Palworld ($30)– Terraria ($10)– Starbound ($15)– Portal 1&2 ($15/bundle)– Steamworld Dig 1&2 ($26/bundle)– Pacman Championship Edition DX+ ($15)
- For more information about specific game titles, check out this article: https://www.indyed.com/articles/what-is-your-kid-really-learning-from-video-games
Affordable gamer gifting:– Nintendo gamers– Switch accessories– Switch online membership– Nintendo store gift card from Walmart– Roblox– Robux– Fortnite– Vbucks– PC Gamers– Steam wishlist game purchases– isthereanydeal.com (historic and current comparative pricing on most titles)– Fanatical bundles– Check Steam sales– Gamer merch– Fangamer.com– teeturtle.com– Individual game developer websites– Headphone/mic combo– New Mouse, Keyboard, or game controller– Gaming chair– RGB LED lighting– Solid State Hard Drives– 3D printed game-related itemsHeidi’s ClassesYou can find Heidi’s classes at IndyEd.com here: https://www.indyed.com/secular-curriculum/heidi-lathrem-maOr you can check out my farm page (with self-paced and live class links) directly:https://harvestheritageacademy.podia.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 Gaming Gift Ideas that Won’t Break the Bank appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
301: Tech Tool for Dyslexia: How Lexercise Can Help HomeschoolersThis episode with guest Tauna Meyer from Proverbial Homemaker discusses Lexercise, a tech tool designed to help homeschooling families with children who have dyslexia. Tauna is sponsored by Lexercise but is really seeing a difference with her son.
Key Points:
- Homeschooling a child with dyslexia can be challenging, especially when traditional methods fail. Finding affordable and effective support can be difficult.
- Lexercise is a research-based, online program that uses the Orton-Gillingham approach to support children with dyslexia. It offers structured literacy, gamified practice, and therapist guidance.
Benefits:
-
- Improved reading fluency and confidence
- Addresses letter formation, spelling, and language processing issues
- Offers self-paced video lessons from dyslexia experts
- Provides daily practice games with points and rewards
- Extensive documentation and support, including access to a therapist
- More affordable than in-person therapy options
Considerations:
-
- Screen time management may be necessary
- The program uses “word neighborhood” rules and “memory hooks” which may be unfamiliar to some parents
- The basic program may require additional support for children with severe dyslexia
Find out more / discount code:
- Tauna shares a coupon code for a discount on Lexercise , plus more info on the program, in this post
Where to find Tauna
Connect with Tauna on the Proverbial Homemaker Facebook Page, in her Facebook Group Homeschool Successfully and on Instagram at tauna_phomemaker
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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 Tech Tool for Dyslexia: How Lexercise Can Help Homeschoolers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
300: Celebrating 300 Episodes: 15 Tools in 15 Minutes with Exclusive BonusesJoin us as we celebrate the 300th episode of Homeschooling with Technology! Host Meryl van der Merwe highlights 15 top tech tools she uses in both her online classes and everyday life. Each tool has been featured at some point over the podcast’s journey, making this episode a refresher or a first-time introduction to tools that can benefit homeschoolers. As a bonus, our show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy, is offering special discounts, free resources, and an exciting giveaway!
Exclusive Bonuses: Listeners can enjoy discounts, free items, and a giveaway! Here’s a summary:
- Discounted Courses: Use code PODCAST300 for $15 off select FundaFunda Academy products until 11/19/24
- Beginning Scratch Class – Intro to programming for just $40 (originally $55).
- Self-Paced Photography Class – Ideal for middle and high school, now $60 (originally $75)
- Astronomy Bundle – 8 modules covering stars stars and planets, discounted to $19 (originally $34)
- Who’s Who in WWII Unit Study – Only $5 after discount (originally $20)
- Giveaway: Enter to win all 6 FundaFunda self-paced, parent-graded courses worth $549, covering Anatomy, Computer Applications, Health, Theater, Photography, and Photoshop. One person will win all 6. You can earn up to 4 entries depending on the actions you choose to take. Closes 11/20/24 8am ET.
- Freebies: Use code PODCAST300 to get any of these products free until 11/19/24
- ACT Introduction
Ideal for first-time ACT test-takers, this guide helps students understand what to expect, easing them into test prep with confidence. - Can You Escape Biology Class?
A high school-level escape room game created by FundaFunda’s chemistry instructor, covering key biology topics. - Mystery of the Painted Pyramids
A geography-focused mystery game for 4th-8th graders, set in modern Egypt. - Homeschool-Friendly Contest List
A curated list of around 40 contests open to homeschoolers, including free and paid options.
- ACT Introduction
15 Free Tech Tools for your Homeschool1. PHET – Free interactive science and math simulations from the University of Colorado. 2. Canva – A comprehensive design tool perfect for creating graphics, videos, presentations, and more. 3. Magic School AI – An AI-powered platform allowing parents to set up customized educational tools for their kids. 4. iCivics – Engaging games that teach government concepts through real, interactive play. 5. Padlet – A collaborative tool that allows students to share work on virtual pinboards. 6. Edpuzzle – Makes video learning interactive by adding questions to YouTube videos. 7. Trello – An organizational tool perfect for managing assignments, family schedules, and personal tasks. 8. Scratch – A drag-and-drop programming platform that introduces coding concepts. 9. Duolingo – A language-learning app with gamified lessons that now includes math and music. 10. Vocabulary.com – A gamified platform to improve vocabulary skills. 11. NGPF Games – Financial literacy games that teach practical money management skills. 12. Google Arts and Culture – Dive into global art, history, and geography through virtual tours, Street View, and interactive games. 13. ChatGPT and other LLMs – Harness the power of ChatGPT or similar tools to assist with explanations, project ideas, customized study aids, field trip recommendations, and even dinner planning based on ingredients on hand. 14. Bookbub – Discover discounted and free eBooks on Amazon 15. Purpose Games – Quiz-style games on subjects like history, science, and math.
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 Celebrating 300 Episodes: 15 Tools in 15 Minutes with Exclusive Bonuses appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
299: Pursuing tech literacy in your homeschoolCrystin Morris, a homeschool mom and founder of Delightfully Feasting, shares ideas on how to approach tech literacy in a homeschool environment. She provides practical guidance for integrating tech skills into everyday learning while maintaining a balanced, holistic approach.
Key Tech Literacy SkillsKristen outlines three foundational skills that she believes every homeschool should prioritize:
- Navigation – Understanding and navigating digital devices and platforms.
- Digital Citizenship – Developing an ethical and moral compass for online interactions.
- Management/Stewardship – Learning to use technology wisely, balancing its benefits and potential drawbacks.
Balancing Tech and Traditional LearningCrystin emphasizes that technology doesn’t have to be viewed as separate from traditional learning tools like books. She incorporates tech intentionally, teaching her children to value both tech and non-tech resources. This approach adapts yearly, with regular conversations and adjustments to meet her children’s developmental needs.
Recommended Tech Resources Digital Citizenship Curriculum from Common Sense Media: Engaging, age-appropriate resources for teaching digital citizenship. * Khan Academy*: Quality resources on technology and online safety that Kristen uses in her own homeschool.
Beginner-Friendly Tech ProjectsCrystin recommends coding as a great introductory project, as it offers an instant, rewarding experience for kids. She also encourages integrating videos, articles, and online resources as a normative part of homeschooling to show children the wide range of educational tools beyond physical books.
Being Good Consumers, Not Just CreatorsCrystin stresses the importance of teaching children to be thoughtful consumers of tech content, not just creators. This means teaching them to curate their digital experiences, exercise discernment, and make intentional choices about what they consume online.
Addressing AI with a Measured ApproachCrystin advises homeschoolers to approach AI with “measured awareness” rather than fear-driven panic. She encourages parents to focus on what they can control, build familiarity with new technologies, and remember that every major technological advancement in history was met with initial concern.
Links and Resources
- Common Sense Media’s Digital Citizenship Curriculum: Common Sense Media
- Khan Academy Tech and Safety Resources: Khan Academy
- Blog post with a list of resources that Crystin mentions
- A related post about using technology as a tool
- Post about irrationally fearing technology
*Where to find Crystin*
- Visit Crystin’s website, Delightfully Feasting, for courses and tools: DelightfullyFeasting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delightfullyfeastingpress/
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 Pursuing tech literacy in your homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
298: Instagram’s New Teen Safety FeaturesUpcoming Episode Celebration:
- Episode 300 is just around the corner! Tune in when it releases to enjoy freebies, discounts, and fun activities.
Episode Highlights:
- Overview of Instagram’s New Safety Features for Teens
- Instagram has introduced several safety protocols for users aged 13-18, defaulting their accounts to private to limit access by unknown adults.
- Parental supervision settings vary for teens aged 13-15, while those aged 16+ have more autonomy but can opt for additional parental controls.
- Key Features Introduced by Instagram:
- Restricted Messaging: Teens can only message users they follow, which reduces the risk of unsolicited messages from strangers.
- Sensitive Content Filtering: Topics like mental health and other sensitive subjects are monitored, directing teens toward expert resources rather than peer advice.
- Time and Notification Limits: After 60 minutes of use, teens receive reminders, with a “sleep mode” between 10 PM and 7 AM to limit notifications overnight.
- Parental Control & Teen Feedback:
- Parents can now monitor messaging activity and restrict specific app use times.
- Challenges with Enforcement and Teen Workarounds:
- Instagram uses AI to identify potential age misrepresentation, flagging new accounts and suspicious behavior patterns.
- While these safeguards aren’t foolproof, they represent a step toward more secure use for teens.
- Resources and Additional Reading:
- The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt for parents wanting more context on the effects of social media on teens.
- https://familycenter.meta.com/instagram-safety
- https://about.fb.com/news/2024/09/instagram-teen-accounts
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 Instagram’s New Teen Safety Features appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
297: AI-Powered Learning with Notebook LMIn this episode, we look at an exciting tool that can revolutionize how homeschoolers approach research and learning: Notebook LM, an AI-powered app developed by Google.
In This Episode:1. What is Notebook LM?
It is an AI-powered research tool available for free from Google. It’s built on the Gemini platform and helps students (and parents) quickly summarize and organize information from multiple sources.
2. How to Use Notebook LM for Research
Upload various sources like PDFs, links, and slideshows. Once uploaded, it generates summaries, timelines, FAQs, and even study guides—all based on the material provided.
3. Key Features of Notebook LM
* Summaries and Timelines: Get concise summaries and chronologies of the content, especially useful for subjects like history or science.
* Study Guides and Quizzes: AI-generated questions, glossaries, and suggested essay topics help reinforce learning.
* Cast Lists for Literature or History: create character bios, making it useful for literature or historical studies.
* FAQs and Glossaries: Automatically generate key terms and important questions for any subject matter.
* Customizable Notes and Sharing: Up to 50 sources and 1,000 notes per project. Easily share notebooks with students or other parents.
4. Engaging Audio Overviews – AI Podcasts
One standout feature is that Notebook LM can create audio summaries of your content in a podcast-like format. Here is a sample focused on glaciers, and it’s an engaging, conversational style designed to help students learn while being entertained.
Resources Mentioned:* Notebook LM by Google – Free if you have a Google account.
Join the Conversation:* Come share your thoughts in our Facebook Group and tell us how you’re using AI-powered learning tools like Notebook LM. * Don’t forget to rate and review the podcast on your favorite platform—it helps others discover our show!
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.
The post AI-Powered Learning with Notebook LM appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
296: 10 Good Ways for Students to Use AIIn this episode we look at 10 good ways for students to use AI. Last week, weshared 10 bad ways students might use AI. If you haven’t listened to the previous episode, check it out for full context, but you can also jump into this one first if you prefer.
Highlights from This Episode:1. Reading Assistance
AI can help students by simplifying texts to a more appropriate reading level. For students struggling with older texts or complex academic papers, tools like Magic School AI and Class Companion can translate or rephrase documents to make them more understandable. This is especially useful in subjects like history or literature where archaic language can be a barrier to comprehension.
2. Editing and Feedback
Students can use AI as a grammar and style editor. Tools like Grammarly and Class Companion can help identify grammar errors, improve sentence structure, and even suggest ideas for expanding a piece of writing. AI should act as a helper, much like a parent or teacher offering feedback.
3. Idea Generation
AI can help students brainstorm ideas for projects or essays. For example, if a student needs to create a slideshow on Argentina, it can suggest topics that should be included.
4. Creating Images
Instead of using images with unclear copyright restrictions, students can create their own AI-generated images.
5. Studying for Tests
AI can help students prepare for tests by generating practice questions and answers. Students can use it to quiz themselves, which can be particularly helpful when parents or teachers aren’t available to help with revision.
6. Finding Resources
AI tools like Perplexity can suggest credible resources for research projects or papers.
7. Explaining Concepts
AI can simplify complex ideas or explain concepts in various subjects, such as math, science, or grammar. Students can ask it to break down difficult topics or provide real-life examples to enhance understanding.
8. Learning with Songs
AI can create custom songs to help students memorize information. AI-generated songs can be a fun and engaging way for students to remember facts, particularly in subjects where rote memorization is needed.
9. Coding and Debugging Help
AI tools can help identify bugs and correct syntax.
10. Task Breakdown
AI can help organize ideas, giving structure to an otherwise overwhelming assignment. It can even create a timeline of a task to help keep students on track..
For a detailed exploration of these strategies and more, listen to the full episode.
Resources Mentioned:* Class Companion * Magic School AI * Grammarly Go * Canva * Suno * Perplexity
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
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295: 10 Bad Ways for Students to Use AIWe explore “10 Bad Ways for Students to Use AI.” We’re focusing on how NOT to use AI tools. As AI becomes a major part of our children’s future, it’s crucial that we teach them the right ways to engage with it.
Key Takeaways from the Episode:1. No Personal Information
AI platforms may store data to improve models, so personal info shouldn’t be used. Students must avoid sharing sensitive details when using AI for tasks like essay feedback.
2. Don’t Use AI as a Search Engine
AI can give misleading or overly advanced answers. Students risk providing answers that don’t align with course materials, making it obvious when they cheat.
3. Avoid Brainstorming with AI
Using AI to generate ideas can lead to laziness. Encourage students to use their own creativity first, then consult AI for additional ideas if needed.
4. Don’t Write Essays or Short Answers Using AI
This is essentially cheating. Using AI to write homework defeats the purpose of learning and undermines integrity.
5. Be Wary of Asking AI to Explain History
AI-generated answers may come with biases or inaccuracies, so it’s better to consult multiple primary sources to form a balanced understanding.
6. Don’t Use AI as an ‘Online Friend’
With AI bots integrated into platforms like Snapchat, it’s easy for students to rely on them for companionship. But real friendships with real people are essential.
7. Don’t Seek Advice from AI
For life’s challenges, students should turn to trusted adults, not AI. Encourage open communication with family or counselors instead.
8. Avoid Using AI for Problem-Solving Right Away
Encourage students to try solving problems themselves first, then turn to AI as a last resort. Developing critical thinking is important.
9. Don’t Over-Edit with AI
AI can help improve writing, but overuse can erase a student’s voice. Teach students to keep their work authentic, even with a few imperfections.
10. Don’t Use AI for Creative Projects
Relying on AI for creative tasks diminishes human creativity. Students should cultivate their own ideas and skills, experiencing the joy of creating something from scratch.
Join the ConversationIf you have other ideas on how AI shouldn’t be used, join the discussion in our Homeschooling with Technology Facebook community. Let’s learn from each other and help our children navigate AI responsibly.
Tune in next week for 10 Good Ways for Students to Use AI!
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 10 Bad Ways for Students to Use AI appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
294: Online Contests for StudentsIn this episode, we explore a variety of online contests for students that homeschoolers can participate in. These contests provide great opportunities for students to challenge themselves, develop new skills, and even win prizes.
Contests Mentioned in This Episode:
- PicoCTF
- A cybersecurity Capture the Flag (CTF) contest for ages 13 and up. Students work individually and in teams to solve challenges and develop critical thinking skills. Free training materials and practice challenges are available on the website.
- Exploravision
- A research-based contest where students, mentored by professionals, investigate a real-world problem. Available for high school and possibly younger students.
- EngineerGirl Writing Contest
- A writing contest focusing on engineering topics. Open to 3rd-12th graders, divided into different grade levels. The contest includes both boys and girls despite its name.
- The Stock Market Game
- A team-based game where students invest virtual money in the stock market. Open to students nationwide, it also includes an essay contest, InvestWrite, where students can win money and recognition.
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Contests
- Patriot’s Pen: An essay contest for middle school students.
- Voice of Democracy: A speech contest for high school students. Students record and submit their speeches, and winners can advance to regional and national levels.
- Scholastic Art & Writing Contest
- This well-known contest includes categories like art, writing, and even programming. Winners can earn recognition like the Golden Key Award, which looks great on college applications.
- Jane Austen Essay Contest
- An essay contest for fans of Jane Austen, with cash prizes for winners. Essays from previous winners are available for review on the website.
- Classics and Mythology Contests
- Offered by etclassics.org, these online contests focus on Latin, Greek, and mythology for different age groups and ability levels.
- 15-Second Vocabulary Contest
- A creative challenge hosted by the New York Times, where students create 15-second videos defining vocabulary words.
Bonus Resource: Showsponsor Fundafunda has compiled a comprehensive guide with over 30 contest opportunities for homeschoolers. You can find the Homeschool-friendly Contests pdf on the FundaFunda Academy website for just $2.99. It includes a description of each contest, grade levels, and whether they are free or require a fee.
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 Online Contests for Students appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
293: Nearpod: The Homeschool Resource You Never Knew You NeededIn this episode,guest Melissa Muir, shares how she uses Nearpod, an incredible tool that can transform your homeschooling experience. Melissa has been homeschooling her children in Ecuador for 13 years. She works with online teachers and homeschoolers, providing resources, self-paced classes, and tech-based tools to make learning more fun and effective.
What is Nearpod?
Nearpod is a platform offering a wide range of pre-made lessons across subjects. It’s free to start and offers interactive content such as:
– PDFs and videos (without YouTube distractions)
– Virtual Reality (VR) field trips
– Drag-and-drop activities
– Gamified quizzes
– PHET simulations and 3D models
How to Use Nearpod in Homeschooling
Melissa explains how homeschoolers can use Nearpod for specific topics or subjects that need extra resources. From history lessons to foreign languages, Nearpod provides engaging, supplemental learning activities.
Plans and Costs
Nearpod offers a free plan (Silver), which gives access to plenty of content but limited storage. Paid plans like Gold ($159/year) offer additional storage and logins. Melissa share a code for 3 months of Gold free
Why Use Nearpod?
– Access to curriculum you may not own or feel equipped to teach
– Student-led, interest-based learning
– Easy to search by grade level and topic for ready-to-use lessons
Resources and Links
– Nearpod
– 3 months of Nearpod Gold free:
Where to find MelissaMelissa Is Teaching on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissaisteachingMore from Melissa Is Teaching: https://melissaisteaching.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaisteaching
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 Nearpod: The Homeschool Resource You Never Knew You Needed appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
292: Why Homeschool Parents and Teens Should Consider Remote Tech Careers in SalesforceIn this episode, we explore the potential of remote tech careers in Salesforce for homeschool parents and teens. Our guest, Bradley Rice, shares insights on why Salesforce could be a great fit for the homeschooling community.
Key Points1. Introduction to Salesforce * What is Salesforce? * How businesses use Salesforce 2. Career Opportunities in Salesforce * Types of roles available * Salary expectations and growth potential 3. Why Salesforce is Suitable for Homeschoolers * Flexibility and work-life balance * Remote work opportunities * Skills development for teens 4. Getting Started with Salesforce * No prior experience necessary * Basic tech skills required * Learning resources (Trailhead, YouTube, Udemy) 5. Job Market and Demand * Current state of Salesforce job market * Realistic expectations for job hunting 6. Impact of AI on Salesforce Careers * Current and potential future impacts * Opportunities in AI-related roles
Resources Mentioned* Trailhead: Free Salesforce training platform * TalentStacker: Free resources for homeschoolers wanting to get started with Salesforce * Salesforce for Everyone Podcast (Episodes 1-8) * FundaFunda Academy’s Computer Applications Class
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 Why Homeschool Parents and Teens Should Consider Remote Tech Careers in Salesforce appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
291: MathCountsMeryl continues her conversation with Hayley Story, who runs a local homeschool math club. Last week, Hayley shared details about three math contests, and in this episode, she dives into the final one: MathCounts. Hayley provides an overview of the competition, her experience as a first-time coach, and tips for homeschool parents interested in starting their own MathCounts team.
Key Points from the Episode:
- What is MathCounts?
- A nationally recognized math competition for grades 6-8.
- Features four rounds of team and individual math challenges.
- Held across all 50 U.S. states and territories, for U.S. citizens only.
- The competition rounds include: Sprint (individual), Target (individual with calculators), Team (group of four), and Countdown (live competition).
- Preparation Tips:
- Practice is key: MathCounts provides free resources, including videos and practice tests.
- Homeschoolers can form teams to practice and participate at various levels (school, chapter, state, and national).
- Watching previous national Countdown rounds on YouTube can be helpful for preparation.
- Why Homeschoolers Should Consider MathCounts:
- MathCounts is a prestigious competition and provides a sense of community and teamwork.
- The competition is well-organized, and homeschoolers are welcomed and accommodated.
- The competition offers advancing levels, and for those who progress to nationals, travel and accommodation are covered.
Pros and Cons of MathCounts:
- Pros:
- Prestigious and nationally recognized.
- Well-organized with clear rules.
- Great resources and support for coaches.
- Creates a sense of team spirit and community.
- Cons:
- High competition level: Students often train intensively with tutors.
- Not many students advance to higher levels (only four individuals and one team from each chapter).
- Time commitment required for both students and coaches.
Other Contests Mentioned: Hayley also recapped the other contests discussed in previous episodes: Bebras, Noetic, and AMC 8, offering comparisons for homeschool parents looking for different math challenges.
Resources and Links Mentioned:
- Visit the MathCounts website for more details and to access free practice materials.
- Check out videos of previous Countdown Rounds on YouTube for practice.
- Listen to last week’s episode on other math competitions.
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 MathCounts appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
290: Math Contests RevisitedIn this episode of the Homeschooling with Technology podcast, we revisit the topic of math contests with guest Haley Story. This episode builds on Haley’s previous discussion from Episode 243 Math Contests, where she introduced listeners to the topic. Now, with a year of experience running multiple contests, Haley shares valuable insights on what works, what doesn’t, and how these contests can benefit homeschoolers, particularly those in middle school.
Episode Highlights:
- Recap of Math Contests:
- Math contests are academic competitions that involve problem-solving and logic skills rather than traditional math problems found in school or on standardized tests.
- Benefits of participating in math contests include exposure to the fun side of math, development of test-taking skills, and opportunities to build community and friendships within the homeschooling community.
- Why Homeschoolers Should Consider Math Contests:
- Math contests can introduce students to academic competitions with less time commitment compared to other contests.
- Participation can help students develop resilience in competitive environments and realize that they may not always be the best, exposing them to a world of gifted peers.
- Important Considerations:
- Stress the difference between a competition and a test to avoid pressure on students to achieve perfect scores.
- Make the contests low-key and fun to ensure students enjoy the experience, with activities like game days or social events after contests.
- Let math contest days replace regular math assignments to avoid overwhelming students.
- Types of Students Who Thrive in Math Contests: Haley suggests that all students should try a math contest, but those who particularly enjoy logic puzzles, are motivated by competition, or have a strong interest in math will likely benefit the most.
- Math Contests Covered:
- Bebras Challenge: An international computational thinking contest with fun, interactive logic puzzles. It’s free, accessible to students from kindergarten through 12th grade, and an excellent introduction to academic contests.
- Noetic Learning Math Contest: A 20-question contest with a mix of easy and challenging problems, ideal for grades 2 through 8. This contest is offered twice a year and is perfect for group settings.
- American Mathematics Competitions (AMC 8): A more challenging contest aimed at middle school students, the AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute multiple-choice exam that covers topics like algebra, geometry, and number theory. Haley describes the AMC 8 as ideal for students who are more serious about math competitions and looking for a national-level challenge. There is also an AMC10 and AMC12 for high schoolers
- Practical Tips for Organizing Contests:
- Form a homeschool group to register participants for contests like Bebras.
- Offer small prizes and participation awards to keep the contests enjoyable.
- For group settings, consider organizing a math club or circle to foster a sense of community among participants.
Article mentioned:
- Some great articles are found on AoPS website. Here is one: https://artofproblemsolving.com/blog/articles/math-competitions-when-youre-not-competitive
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 Math Contests Revisited appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
289: Create your own Digital PlannerIn this episode, we discuss various tools and methods to create your own digital planner, perfect for homeschooling or managing other aspects of life.
We mention practical and customizable options like Google Calendar, Google Sheets, and Trello, and then talk about more visually appealing solutions using Canva and SlidesMania.
Key Takeaways:
- Google Calendar: Create multiple calendars for different aspects of your life (homeschooling, chores, etc.) and customize them with color coding. Easily share and collaborate with others.
- Google Sheets: Use spreadsheets to organize your homeschool plans by subject and week. Great for those who prefer a simple, column-based approach.
- Trello: A project management tool that can be adapted as a planner. Organize tasks by subject or child using lists and cards, with easy drag-and-drop functionality.
- Canva: Ideal for creating visually appealing planners. Start with customizable templates and adapt them for homeschooling.
- SlidesMania: Free templates in Google Slides or PowerPoint format, offering flexibility and organization in a well-structured format.
Resources Mentioned:
- Google Calendar
- Google Sheets
- Trello
- Canva Personal Planners
- SlidesMania Planner Templates
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 Create your own Digital Planner appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
288: Search and Research in the AI eraIn this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of search and research in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). We reflect on the shift from traditional search engines like Google and Bing to the use of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other large language models (LLMs). We discuss the pros and cons of using AI for research, the importance of understanding source credibility, and the challenges of ensuring that students are accessing reliable information.
AI in Search Engines:
Search engines have used AI for years to tailor results based on location, search history, and preferences. However, AI’s role has grown with the introduction of tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and others that provide summarized information.
Challenges with AI-Based Research:
Unlike traditional search engines, AI tools often provide summaries without showing the original sources, which can obscure the origins of information. It is important to teach our children to verify sources and understand potential biases.
Importance of Source Verification:
Whether using traditional search engines or AI tools, it’s crucial to evaluate the credibility of the sources. Parents need to teach their children these skills.
Google Scholar and AI Research Tools:
For serious research, students can use Google Scholar, which focuses on scholarly articles. Also consider AI research tools like Research Rabbit and Elicit, which provide links to academic articles.
Citing AI in Classwork:
Since AI outputs are not consistent and lack original source material, students should avoid citing AI except when discussing AI itself.
Teaching Search Skills:
To avoid over-reliance on AI, teach effective search strategies. These skills are taught in show sponsor’s Computer Applications class, which is available in both live and self-paced formats.
Resources Mentioned:
Ditch That Textbook: Article on citing AI in classwork.
Google Scholar: A reliable source for scholarly articles.
AI Research Tools: Research Rabbit and Elicit.
Computer Applications Class: Available with weekly deadlines / teacher-graded or self-paced / parent-graded, includes lessons on effective search strategies.
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 Search and Research in the AI era appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
287: Bringing History to Life with TechnologyIf your children find history boring, here are 8 ideas on bringing history to life with technology
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- Videos: * Use YouTube channels, documentaries, and docudramas to visualize historical events. * Battle simulation videos and feature movies can also provide an immersive experience. * Compare movies to actual historical facts for a deeper learning experience.
- Online Games:
- Incorporate games like Mission USA, “Be George Washington,” and Oregon Trail to make history interactive.
- Video Games:
- Civilization and other strategy games can be used to learn about different civilizations
- Virtual Museum Field Trips:
- Explore museums online, such as Ellis Island or Anne Frank’s house, to experience history virtually.
- Reading Old Newspapers:
- Use Chronicling America to access historical newspapers and explore what life was like in the past
- Museum Websites:
- Museum websites, like the Smithsonian, offer primary sources and interactive resources
- Google Maps & Google Arts and Culture:
- Virtually visit historical sites and explore ancient ruins to connect with history.
- Google Arts and Culture offers specific experiences related to historical events
- Digital Escape Rooms:
- Engage with history through digital escape rooms that require problem-solving and critical thinking.
FundaFunda Academy Discount Offer:
Special offer: 50% off with code HWTHISTORY until 30 September 2024 for:
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- World War II web-based unit studies— “Who’s Who World War II” and “World War II Year by Year.” * Mystery of the Painted Pyramid * Two digital breakouts: “Mosby’s Treasure” (American Civil War) and “The Mystery of the Amber Room” (World War II).
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High School History Classes from FundaFunda Academy mentioned in this episode
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- World History * US 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 Bringing History to Life with Technology appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
286: Essential Computer Skills for Students in 2024What are the essential computer skills for students in 2024? These are 5 that are covered in this episode.
- Understanding Computers and How They Work:
- Importance of knowing the basics of computers.
- Learn about binary, algorithmic thinking etc
- Practical examples and benefits of understanding computer fundamentals.
- Learning to Code:
- Coding as a valuable skill across various fields.
- Introduction to coding through Scratch and Python.
- Real-life applications of coding skills in different careers.
- Benefits of understanding coding even for non-technical roles.
- Free and paid resources for learning to code.
- Digital Literacy:
- Importance of managing digital footprints and understanding internet safety.
- Developing skills for evaluating online information.
- Media literacy and critical thinking.
- Online etiquette, email communication, and virtual collaboration.
- Life skills like online shopping and booking travel safely.
- Computer Applications:
- Mastery of essential tools like Google Drive (Docs, Sheets, Slides).
- Importance of graphic and video tools like Canva.
- Organizing tools such as schedulers and to-do lists.
- Understanding AI:
- Basics of AI and its integration into everyday tools.
- Importance of responsible AI usage and understanding its limitations.
- Age-appropriate introduction to AI tools and prompt engineering.
Teaching Methods:
- Enrolling in structured classes, such as those offered by show sponsor FundaFunda Academy.
- Integrating technology skills into everyday life.
- Using educational games and practical applications to teach younger children.
- Incorporating technology into “school” projects.
Resources Mentioned:
- FundaFunda Academy classes (Computer Science, Computer Applications, Scratch, Python, Web Development, Canva, Adobe Photoshop).
- Google Drive unit study.
- Common Sense Media for age-appropriate games.
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 Essential Computer Skills for Students in 2024 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
285: Class Companion: an AI Tool for improving writingThis episode focuses on Class Companion, an AI tool for improving writing skills.
Features of Class Companion:
- Suitable for all ages and subjects, including English, social sciences, and Spanish.
- Offers pre-made assignments and the ability to create custom ones.
- AI provides feedback on organization, thesis statements, and content accuracy and more
- Allows multiple revisions for mastery and detailed tracking of student progress.
Using Class Companion:
- Parents can set up classrooms, add students, and assign tasks.
- AI monitors the use of cut-and-paste actions.
- Provides immediate feedback and suggestions for improvement.
- Parents can review AI feedback and add their own assessments.
Class Companion in Practice:
- Meryl explains how to use Class Companion for AP exam preparation.
- Discusses demo classroom examples
- Emphasizes the tool’s ability to foster independent learning and improvement.
Show sponsor FundaFunda Academy Writing Classes:
- Writing Fun Class: For 6th-8th graders, featuring creative and engaging assignments.
- Writing Mechanics Class: Prepares 8th graders for high school, covering essay types and editing.
- High School Classes: Including British Lit, American Lit, and honors level courses by Jennie Miller.
- Jane Austen Class: A fun half-credit course for fans of Jane Austen.
- Visual Literacy Class: Focuses on graphic novels, movies, and video games.
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 Class Companion: an AI Tool for improving writing appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
284: YouTube Channels to Supplement Your Homeschool History CurriculumThese are all YouTube channels you can use to supplement your homeschool history curriculum and make history lessons more engaging for students
For even more ideas, visit this Facebook post by the Homeschool Historian.
- The History Channel:
- Offers a wide range of history-related content, including documentaries and series on various historical periods and events.
- Provides in-depth and well-researched content suitable for older students
- Crash Course:
- Offers entertaining videos on U.S. and world history.
- Known for high production quality, engaging visuals, and clear explanations.
- Speaks fast!
- Khan Academy:
- Provides extensive history content with a focus on detailed explanations and thorough coverage of historical events.
- Sometimes a little dry
- Tom Ritchie:
- Focuses on AP courses, but useful for everyone
- Offers a serious yet engaging teaching style, with visual aids similar to Crash Course.
- Heimler’s History:
- Known for concise and engaging history lessons, usually 5-7 minutes long
- Uses clear explanations and visual aids to help students grasp complex historical concepts
- Mr. Betts Class:
- Provides historically accurate content through parodies, cartoons, and memes.
- Bridges the gap between modern media and educational content, making history relatable and enjoyable for students.
- Horrible Histories:
- British series, ideal for middle school students
- Features reenactments and comedic presentations of historical events.
- Covers European and some American history, including topics like ancient civilizations and world wars.
- The Daily Bellringer:
- Provides quick, engaging history lessons designed to capture students’ attention
- Uses a lively and dynamic teaching style to make historical events and concepts memorable.
- Hip Hughes:
- Known for energetic and enthusiastic teaching, covering a wide range of historical topics.
- Combines humor with clear explanations to make history accessible and fun for students of all ages.
Tips for Using These Channels:
- Use these channels as supplements to a primary history curriculum.
- Pair video lessons with assignments to ensure active learning and retention.
- Utilize platforms like Edpuzzle, Kahoot, Quizizz, and Quizlet to incorporate quizzes and interactive elements.
- Encourage note-taking and discussions to make the learning experience more interactive.
History Classes from FundaFunda Academy mentioned in this episode
- World History (high school)
- US History (high school)
- World War 2 Year by Year web-based unit study (4th – 8th grade)
- Who’s Who in World War 2 web-based unit study (4th – 8th grade)
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 YouTube Channels to Supplement Your Homeschool History Curriculum appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
283: Online Resources for Learning Computer ScienceComputer science encompasses more than just coding and programming; it includes history, hardware, software, algorithms, computational thinking, the internet, cybersecurity, and more.
Highlights and Resources:
- ScienceTrek.org
- A fun and interactive site with various options including games
- Includes books and facts that cover the history of computers, how they work, and internet safety.
- Studio.Code.org
- Offers numerous programming and computer science resources.
- Filterable catalog by grade, duration, topic, device, and curriculum.
- Includes Hour of Code activities for short, engaging lessons.
- Khan Academy
- Known for its math courses, but also offers comprehensive computer science resources.
- Includes AP options and modules on digital information, the internet, and online data security.
- CSFieldGuide.org.nz
- Features interactive simulations and curriculum on various computer science topics.
- Useful for teaching concepts like algorithms, data representation, and binary.
- Crash Course
- Provides video content on computer science, including history and how computers work.
- Videos are about 16 minutes long, suitable for high school students.
- CodeHS.org
- Offers a complete computer science curriculum that aligns with state standards, including Tennessee.
- Allows for comprehensive learning or picking and choosing resources.
- ClassCentral.com
- Database of university-level MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) in computer science.
- Suitable for advanced high school students looking for a challenge.
Computer Science Class from FundaFunda Academy
- New Class: an online computer science class for high schoolers, also suitable for advanced middle school students
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
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282: Online Olympic Resources for Homeschoolers
Here are several online Olympic resources that will help you extend the excitement of the games into educational opportunities for your children. From interactive apps and science videos to music lessons and virtual museum tours, we’ve got a variety of tools to make the most of the Olympic season in your homeschooling journey.
Key Resources Discussed:
- Official Olympics App – Free, provides schedules and update
- 15-minute Music Lesson on Olympic Music (from Music in Our Homeschool)
- Free printable download available that goes along with the lesson
- Science of the Summer Olympics: Engineering and Sports
- Nine educational videos on various Olympic topics
- Fan School
- Free Olympics prediction game
- Opportunity for kids to write articles
- Olympic Bingo Board
- Available from FundaFunda Academy for $0.99
- FundaFunda Academy’s Mini Unit Study on Olympic History and Culture
- Web-based, $5, covers both summer and winter Olympics
- Literary Adventures for Kids – Online Book Club
- “The Boys in the Boat” – Middle school and high school versions available
- Olympic Museum Online Resources
- Virtual 360 tours of the Olympic Museum
- Various PDFs and educational materials available
Additional Tips:
- Use videos on EdPuzzle for ad-free video watching with embedded questions
- This blog post has some more ideas and a giveaway for the mini unit study
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
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Episode 281: Is Writing Proficiency Still Important in the AI Era?Guest Jennie Miller, English Teacher at FundaFunda Academy, shares her thoughts on the relevance of writing proficiency in the AI era.
Jennie’s Classes:
- Freshman English: Introductory high school English class focusing on academic writing and basic novels.
- American and British Literature: Traditional literature courses exploring classic texts.
- Senior English: An independent course delving into deeper themes and extensive writing projects.
Key Discussion Points:
- The Importance of Writing Skills:
- Writing proficiency is still essential despite advancements in AI.
- Writing fosters critical thinking and deeper understanding of complex issues.
- Learning to write helps students articulate thoughts and opinions effectively.
- Concerns About AI in Writing:
- AI can produce factually incorrect information.
- Over-reliance on AI can hinder the development of critical thinking and essay structure skills.
- Mastery of writing involves understanding MLA format and following detailed instructions.
- The Value of Traditional Writing Education:
- Organic learning and the struggle of writing are crucial for intellectual growth.
- Writing helps students learn to express themselves and develop a personal voice.
- Personal experiences and stories in writing are irreplaceable by AI.
- Real-Life Applications:
- Writing skills are essential for professional communication, such as emails and reports.
- Critical thinking and the ability to articulate thoughts verbally are enhanced through writing practice.
- Teaching Strategies:
- Encourage students to write independently and resist the temptation to use AI for assignments.
- Parents should discuss the importance of writing with their children and monitor their work.
- Teachers need to be aware of students’ writing styles to detect discrepancies indicating AI use.
Conclusion:
- Writing proficiency remains critical in the AI era for developing critical thinking and effective communication skills.
- Parents and educators should emphasize the importance of learning to write independently
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 Is Writing Proficiency still important in the AI era? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
280: Board games that promote STEM skillsGuest Haley Story shares board games that promote STEM skills – and she has many ideas for all ages.
Why board games?
- A fun family time
- Great for summer
- Also some solo games for screen-free time
The kinds of board games she discusses
- All of these games involve meaningful decisions—no Candy Land!
- No party games or word games
- Not only teaches children about cause and effect of their decisions—makes the games tolerable (and usually fun) for adults
- STEM focus. All of these games involve making decisions based on:
- Math to optimize score
- Probability
- Logical reasoning
- Computational skills and reasoning
- Spatial reasoning
How to learn rules (parents learn first!)
- If you (or your spouse) don’t love reading rules… Try Youtube!
- Also, many of the more complicated games have online versions and some people prefer learning that way
Games that reinforce math facts for young kids* Uno * Connect 4 * Darts (there are great kid-friendly magnetic versions) * Rummy Cube –slightly older kids (Caleb started around 5…kids have to learn to rearrange numbers/sets in their head to make the best moves…logic and some pattern recognition (mathematical sets) and some probability ) * Five Crowns Junior * Blokus * Katamino * Wedgits building tower with cards * Pyramid stacking toy
Games for slightly older kids that teach mathematical logic and computational skillThese are all solo challenges, but kids tend to enjoy them, and the games come with a deck of challenge cards that begin easy and increase in difficulty
- Laser Maze
- Gravity Maze
- Rush Hour
- And others by ThinkFun–REALLY good for computational skills and logic
Similar reasoning, but multi-player
- Tsuro
For middle school/older:Fast games:
- Point Salad
- Century, Golem edition: longer game. But to calculate your optimal deals and trades, need to scale the math of the point values for each gemstone–some are better deals than others! Lots of optimization
- For Sale and Incan Gold
- Silver and Gold
Longer Games:
- Settlers of Cata
- Splendor
- Space Cowboy
- Azule
- Gizmos: A super-fun game, though longer and more involved. Computational thinking skills: stacking your cards to trigger multiple events and optimizing each turn
- Potion Explosion: another longer, involved game that teaches some computational thinking and optimization skills. A bit of spatial logic as well picking marbles from the track. A super fun game to play with your kids: recommend for upper elementary and older.
- Cribbage (lots of adding to 15/31, and counting/probability in odds of getting cards that will add to 15).
- Acquire–great for introducing stock market and risks and rewards of investing, aslo with a small spatial component as companies have to be formed on a Cartesian grid.
- Modern Art–a favorite! You are the owner of a modern art gallery and must make money selling paintings. But modern art’s worth is solely based on its current popularity and past performance. Besides the super fun theme, to do well at this game players need to calculate their expected return for each card they sell, but based on the probability of what other players will do. A brilliant game that combines bidding and math. Downside: it’s a bit long to play, and probably will not appeal to kids who can’t sit still and strategize for at least an hour New edition. Old edition on Ebay
- Lost Cities and Battle Line: 2-player. Both are great for similar reasons: The scores are directly based on addition and multiplication of the cards you are able to PLAY, but players need to understand the probability of their gaining advantageous cards in time to play them. Also need to be able to do enough mental math to decide which moves will turn out to be the largest net benefit for you in the end
Hopefully you have discovered some board games that teach STEM skills to introduce in your homeschool!
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
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279: The Fourth Industrial Revolution and your homeschoolThis episode discusses how we are living in the midst of the Fourth Industrial Revolution driven by technologies like AI, nanotech, blockchain, Internet of Things, etc. and how this affects our homeschool
The 4th Industrial Revolution started around 2011 and is characterized by AI, IoT, nanotech becoming mainstream and integrated into daily life, even if we don’t realize it (Netflix recommendations, Siri/Alexa, etc.) You can find interesting blog posts about it on the World Economic Forum
The recent release of ChatGPT has brought AI technology into the forefront. Some ways to use AI in your homeschool
- for personalized learning
- differentiating reading levels,
- creating custom videos/slideshows
- explaining concepts via analogies
Prevent an over-reliance on AI:
- Teach critical thinking so kids don’t just turn to AI for everything
- Ensure they build core knowledge in subjects, not just turn to AI
- Model responsible AI usage and discuss ethics around it
- Be aware of risks like bias, misinformation in training data
- Don’t let kids treat AI chatbots as real friends who give advice
Potential AI benefits discussed include medical advancements through rapid data analysis, communication aids like sign language-to-speech, etc. But risks like deepfakes, cheating in classes, and losing core skills are covered as well.
Meryl recommends talking about when AI use is okay vs. cheating, establishing a family “secret word” to verify identity, and never naming AI chatbots with human names
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
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278: Learning with Micro:bitGuest Joseph Lemke shares with us how he is learning with Micro:bit and why this is a great way for students to explore coding.
What is a Micro:bit?
- programmable microcontroller, like a tiny computer
- has built in sensors like temperature, gyroscope, compass, microphone, speaker, touch button, blue tooth antennae to talk to other microbits and your phone
- has enough computing power to do a lot of things
What are the strengths of Micro:bit?
- it’s a good starting microcontroller because has a good programming platform
- microsoft makecode – graphical platform or text code
- micropython is another option
How do I get started?
- Purchase a starter kit for about $25 on Amazon.
- Go to Makecode.microbit.org, and work through the Tutorials
What are some of the favorite projects you’ve made with micro:bit?
- drink dispenser
- controlled dot matrix printer from the 80’s
- Borg costume
- fingerprint reader for light switch
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
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277: Finding and Using Online Classes for Homeschooling EffectivelyIn this episode we look at the importance of finding and using online classes as part of homeschooling effectively.
Choosing the Right Online Class:
- Determine your goals and what’s best for your children.
- Consider your children’s learning styles and your budget.
- Decide on the level of flexibility needed (live classes vs. asynchronous classes).
- Accommodate any learning disabilities your children may have.
- Decide whether the class will be the sole learning source or a supplement.
- Ask for recommendations from friends, homeschool groups, and online forums.
- Read reviews and watch class demos to narrow down your choices.
- Get input from your high school-aged children.
Using Online Classes Effectively:
- Remember that you are the homeschool parent in charge of your children’s education.
- Monitor your children’s progress and ensure they complete assignments on time.
- Provide technical assistance and help with scheduling, especially for younger children.
- Communicate with teachers about any learning disabilities or family issues.
- Teach high schoolers how to communicate with teachers directly.
- Monitor grades and address any issues promptly.
- Discuss the appropriate use of AI in classes with your children.
Previous episodes mentioned
Episode 220 – How to use the internet to find the right curriculum for your child
Episode 194 – The role of parents in online classes
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
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This is a replay of episode 95 – you can find the original show notes here.
The Stock Market Contest run by show sponsor FundaFunda Academy is happening this summer – June 1 to July 31 for grades 4 – 12. You can register here.
The post Replay with Update: Online Stock Market Resources appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
276: Making Math Fun: Building a Thriving Homeschool Math ClubMy guest, Haley Story, has built a thriving homeschool math club and taught children that math can be fun. Haley was on episode 243 where she talked to us about Math Contests
These are the questions Haley answers in this episode:
- Why did you start a math club
- How did you get the word out
- What do you do during math club? What resources do you use?
4 How many attend and how do you cope with the different ability levels. - How do you make it fun
Resources used in the Math Club
- The National Math Club by Mathcounts
- Art of Problem Solving – for advanced students and for contest prep
- Logic puzzles and warmups: Critical Thinking Company
- Challenge problems: practice contests from Noetic
- Problem of the Week from Mathcounts
- Beast Academy for younger students
- Math Is Fun
- Math board games, dice games, and card games
Board games that are NOT “math games” but that do a great job of teaching math
- For Sale
- Incan Gold
- SET!
- Farkle
- Quixx
- Nertz/ Dutch Blitz
- 6 Nimmt – original German Version, US version
- Skyjo
Be sure to listen to the episode to hear exactly how Haley started the math club and runs it!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
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275:` Web Development for Homeschoolers
In this episode, host Meryl van der Merwe interviews Robert Walsh, an experienced web developer and educator from Excalibur Solutions Stem Academy. They dive into the fundamentals of web development, discussing HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and the advantages of learning to code websites over using drag-and-drop builders. Robert shares insights on the ideal age for kids to start learning web development, free online resources, and the benefits of taking a structured web development course.
Robert Walsh was also a guest on Episode 266 where he talked about teaching students to use Tinkercad.
What is Web Development?* Creating content that displays inside a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) * Building dynamic and interactive web pages with coding * Requires knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript + HTML = Structure + CSS = Appearance + JavaScript = Interactivity and behavior
Why Learn Web Development Instead of Using Drag-and-Drop Tools?* Drag-and-drop tools have limitations and may not give the desired result * Learning HTML, CSS allows customization beyond drag-and-drop capabilities * Adding custom JavaScript enables complex behaviors not possible with drag-and-drop
Age to Start Learning Web Development:* Middle school age (6th or 7th grade) can conceptually grasp the basics * Need to be comfortable with a computer keyboard * Ability to differentiate syntax between HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
Free Resources for Learning:* W3Schools (https://www.w3schools.com/) * Mozilla Developer Network (MDN Web Docs) (https://developer.mozilla.org/) * YouTube tutorials and online resources (search for “web development tutorials”)
Benefits of Taking a Web Development Course:* Get feedback and assistance from experienced instructors * Learn best practices and coding conventions * Structured curriculum and guidance
Robert’s Web Development Course Offerings* Half-credit high school course, but open to middle schoolers from show sponsor FundaFunda Academy – Intro to Web Development * Robert’s Excalibur Solutions STEM Academy (subscription model) provides access to web development along with other STEM courses
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
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274: Ethical AI Use for Scholarship SuccessGuest, Monica Matthews, a scholarship expert, talks to us about Ethical AI use for scholarship success for your children.
Monica was also the guest on episode 117 where she shared tips for completing online scholarship applications that will help students be successful.
Find Monica at her website, How 2 Win Scholarships, her Facebook page and her Facebook group, Scholarship Help and College Talk for Parents.
Topics Covered:* Using AI (Artificial Intelligence) to write scholarship essays – why it’s a bad idea * Red flags that scholarship providers look for to detect AI-written essays (strange word choices, lack of personal stories/details, similar phrasing across essays) * Potential positive uses of AI for scholarship applications (grammar correction, brainstorming ideas, rephrasing) * How scholarship requirements may change due to AI (more personal questions, video essay submissions) * Importance of developing your own authentic voice and not relying too heavily on AI
Key Takeaways:* Scholarship providers want to hear your unique personal story – AI cannot replicate this * Use AI as a tool for brainstorming, grammar checks, etc. but don’t let it write your essays * Be prepared for scholarship apps to crack down on AI use and require disclosure * Work on developing skills like video editing as more visual components may be required * The ethical use of AI writing tools is crucial for long-term success
Resources Mentioned:* Monica’s website: http://howtowinscholarships.com * Facebook group: Scholarship Help and College Talk for Parents * Monica’s ebook guides * Sign up for Monica’s newsletter for upcoming scholarship lists * Episode 15 on finding/winning scholarships 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
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273: Engaging online art history resourcesIn today’s episode, guest Holly Egan who teaches the Art History class for teens at show sponsor FundaFunda Academy, shares her favorite online art history resources.
Main supplemental websites for her art history class:
Smart History -Has over 800 contributors from all over the world
https://smarthistory.org/
National Geographic – great art history section with engaging articles
Art History School – artist biographies explored by Paul Priestly
Artthropology.com– a collection of art history videos an art history teacher has put up on her site from various sources
Khan Academy – their art history videos
Art Museum Websites
MoMA
The Met
The Whitney
YouTube Channels for Videos:
National Galleries Scotland & Royal Academy of Arts – videos on movements, artists, exhibitions
The Magnificent Paintbrush – excellent, short artist bios from an elementary art teacher
Tate YouTube Channel:
The National Gallery YouTube Channel
Favorite art channel on this list is The Art Assignment. It’s a PBS Digital Studios channel uploads videos focus on contemporary art. Host Sarah Urist Green interviews the artists from around the world and the artists give an assignment to the audience.
Holly’s Art History Class
Art History 2024
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
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272: Vacation Planning with AIIn this episode one Vacation Planning with AI, Meryl discusses using AI tools like Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot, and others to plan their upcoming summer road trip out west in their Sprinter van. She shares her experience asking the AI for suggestions on stops, restaurants, activities and more along their route through states like Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma and others before arriving at Capitol Reef National Park.
She also covers using AI to plan a hypothetical trip to Boston with kids aged 6, 9 and 14, asking for child-friendly museum recommendations under $40 total, outdoor activities, novels/websites to prepare them for the trip, and more.
Key Topics:
- Using different AI tools like Claude, Anthropic, ChatGPT, Copilot to plan a road trip
- Asking for stop suggestions with specific interests like hiking, cycling, kayaking, historic sites
- Getting restaurant recommendations for certain cuisines and price ranges near highways
- Planning a family trip to Boston with age-appropriate activities under a budget
- Requesting book/website recommendations to prepare kids for the Boston trip
- Tips for crafting effective prompts when using AI for planning
In Summary: Meryl summarizes the pros and cons of using AI for vacation planning based on her experience:
Pros:
- Using it as a family activity to introduce kids to AI
- Finds unique suggestions you may not have considered
- Provides a lot of relevant information in one place (activities, restaurants, books, websites)
- Allows for very specific queries (price ranges, cuisine types, interest filters)
- Good for getting a jumpstart on planning
Cons:
- Some responses were completely off-base or useless
- Incorrect information given at times (e.g. non-existent books)
- Still has limitations, paid versions likely much better
- Requires learning how to craft effective prompts
If you want to follow along on Meryl’s real trip out west, you can do that by following show sponsor FundaFunda Academy’s Instagram account – https://www.instagram.com/fundafundaeducation/
All online tools mentioned in this episode
Destinations.AI– Did not find it useful
Gemini
CoPilot
ChatGPT
Claude
Perplexity
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
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271: Magic Student AI ToolsThis episode covers the Magic Student AI tools from Magic School, following last week’s episode ( (Episode 270 – Magic School AI)) on the teacher tools.
Magic School Features to Explore
- New Google Chrome extension to easily access the tools
- New YouTube channel explaining how the different products work
- Can create a classroom to control which tools students have access to
Magic Student AI Tools Discussed
- Chatbot for students called Raina (not found very helpful)
- Writing feedback tool (fantastic for getting feedback on student writing at different grade levels)
- Research assistant (disappointing results)
- Create a skit tool (fun for generating skits based on provided characters/scenarios)
- Step-by-step tool (provides step-by-step instructions for any topic/task)
- Literary devices tool (gives examples of literary devices based on a provided scenario)
- Joke creator (jokes not very good)
- Study bot (helps guide students in what to study for a test)
- Study habits tips
- YouTube video summarizer
- SAT reading practice test
- Chatbot builder (create a custom chatbot on a specific topic)
- Character chatbot (roleplay as a literary character)
- College/career counselor
- Rap battle (super fun to have historical figures rap battle each other)
- Book suggestions tool
- Coding assistant
- Debate partner (odd/not very useful)
- Email writer (generated overly long emails)
- Make Relevant (explains why a topic is relevant to real life)
- Real World Connections (connects topics to the real world)
Here are the lyrics for the Rap Battle I generated
Round 1: Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter, here, dropping beats, not bombs,
From the peanut farm to the White House with calm.
Habitat for Humanity, building homes for the poor,
Eradicating diseases, who could ask for more?
Negotiating peace, like it’s my prime mission,
Camp David Accords, now that’s a vision.
Energy crisis and inflation, I faced it head-on,
A Nobel Peace Prize, yeah, I won one.
Round 2: Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali, the greatest, no dispute in the ring,
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, I bring.
Champion of the world, not just once, but thrice,
Against injustice and war, I didn’t think twice.
Rumble in the Jungle, Thrilla in Manila,
My fists do the talk, couldn’t be any realer.
Fighting for Civil Rights, stood against the norm,
Converting to Islam, sparking a reform.
Round 3: Jimmy Carter
Building hope and fighting disease, that’s my creed,
With diplomacy and compassion, I lead.
Solar panels on the White House, I was the first,
For renewable energy, I have an unquenchable thirst.
From Iran hostages to energy laws,
I dealt with it all, never paused.
A farmer, a governor, then a prez,
Always serving the people, yes, that’s my jazz.
Round 4: Muhammad Ali
I dodged the draft, said no to the war,
My fight was here, with poverty and more.
An Olympic gold medal, I threw it in the river,
For a country that practiced racial sliver.
I talked the talk and walked the walk,
For civil rights, I was the rock.
Philanthropic efforts, long after the ring,
Ali, the People’s Champ, forever the king.
End of Battle
Two giants from history with very different battles,
One fought with words, the other with rattles.
Carter and Ali, both champions of peace,
Their legacy and lessons will never cease.
So who wins this battle, it’s hard to say,
They fought in the ring and the world in their own way.
Let’s celebrate these heroes, from sports to the senate,
Their courage and conviction, limitless, infinite.
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
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270: Magic School AIIn 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 Magic School AI appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
269: Teen Podcasters Share Their JourneyIn 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
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268 : Importance of critical thinking skills in navigating social mediaGuest 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)
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
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267: Comparing AI AssistantsIn 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
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266:Teaching students to use TinkercadRobert 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?1. 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 2. 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 Coding
What is Tinkercad?1. 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 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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?1. Many free online resources eg Youtube videos and Tinkercad provides basic training too 2. 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?1. Makecode: https://microsoft.com/makecode 2. 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
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265: 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.
264: The Anton App: Interactive Lessons for KidsThe 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.
263: 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.
262: Equipping your children for careers in an AI worldWith 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.
261: 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.
260: Unlocking the Power of PadletIn this episode I explain some of the power of Padlet, a free tool you can use in many ways in your homeschool.
Topics covered in this episode:
- What is Padlet
- How does it work
- Pricing
- Accessibility
- Expanding features eg export as pdf or a slideshow
- Templates – eg the Book Review one. And here is an example Book Review board
- AI “I can’t draw” feature
- How to use it in your homeschool
In order for you to try it out, I created this board for you to play around on. Click the + sign and upload anything – maybe a review of this podcast You can delete it easily – or leave whatever you add for use to see.
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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
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259: Duolingo MathDuoLingo has added Math to its popular language-learning app.
In this episode, learn what this app has to offer for your children – and you!
- Currently only available on iPhone app (coming soon to Android & browsers)
- Two levels so far: Beginner and Intermediate
- Can skip Beginner and go straight to Intermediate
- Covers topics like estimating, rounding, basic geometry, telling time, order of operations
- Includes multiple choice and fill-in problems
- Adaptive and keeps material fresh daily
- Good math supplement for homeschoolers
- Helps develop mental math skills quickly for tests like ACT/SAT
- Keeps adult brains sharp too
- Integrated with language learning side of Duolingo
- Can help maintain streaks and earn rewards
- Fun and game-ified to motivate kids
- Easy to add as a short daily activity
- Still free like regular Duolingo
- Provides additional math practice in different format from core curriculum
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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
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258: From Tech Consumer to CreatorAva Jekel, our teen guest, loved watching Youtube videos and became interested with how they were made. So she started learning how to make her own and transitioned from tech consumer to tech creator.
These are the tools she mentions in the episode that she uses regularly:
- Pexels – for video clips
- iMovie – for editing
- Chosic – for music
And here are examples of videos she has created
For FundaFunda’s US History Class
On Nature
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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
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257: 12 Tech Tools to try in your homeschool this yearStart the year by planning to try these 12 Tech Tools – either for the first time, or learn their latest features. Decide to try one each month so that it is not overwhelming.
Here are the 12 Tech Tools mentioned
- Canva
- ChatGPT or Claude
- iCivics
- Phet
- Flippity
- Scratch
- Quizizz
- Powtoon
- Duolingo
- Trello
- Pixlr
- Seek by Naturalist
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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 12 Tech Tools to try in your homeschool in 2024 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
256: Teaching Economics Through Online GamesEconomics is useful in everyday life and teaching economics through online games can help students get a better understanding of the concepts they are learning about.
Games mentioned in this episode
- SimCity
- Rollercoaster Tycoon
- Stock Market Game / How the Market Works
- Lemonade Stand
- Money, Banking and the Federal Reserve Digital Breakout
- Fiscal Ship
- People’s Pie
- Prisoner’s Dilemma
- Spent
- International Trade Game from the IMF
FundaFunda classes mentioned in this episode
- High School Economics
- Stock Market Unit Study
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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 Teaching Economics Through Online Games appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
255: Kitchen Science with Randi SmithRandi Smith from Peanut Butter Fish Lessons is my guest and in this episode she shares how she has been using Kitchen Science as a homeschool elective class
Books mentioned in the episode
- Kitchen Science Lab
- Culinary Reactions: The Everyday Chemistry of Cooking
Randi’s blog post with all the details of what they did and the Youtube videos they watched to compliment the cooking: Homeschool Cooking Science
You can find Randi at
- Peanut Butter Fish Lessons
- Instagram @peanutbutterfishlessons
- Facebook @peanutbutterfishlessons
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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
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This is a replay of episode 178 – you can find the original show notes here.
The post Replay: Tech Electives for High School appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
254: Tech the Halls: STEM Christmas giftsSTEM Christmas Gifts not only bring hours of fun to children of all ages, but also prepare children for the future. In this episode, I talk about gifts in these 4 categories
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Hardware
-
Video Games
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STEM Board Games
-
Engineering Toys
* Mentioned: 30 Days Lost in Space kit
Two blog posts with lots of specific ideas
- Science Gifts for Everyone on your List
- Stem Gifts Under $50
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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
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253: Hour of Code 2023The Hour of Code takes place each year during Computer Science Education Week in the week of the birthday of Admiral Grace Hopper. If you don’t know about her contribution to the field of computer science, here is a short video to watch with your children
Each year you can find many free coding activities that will take students about one hour to complete on the Hour of Code website
This year they have included a number that are related to AI and those are the ones I talk about in this episode. The 4 I tried out are:
- Dance Party: AI Edition
- Build Fun Apps/Games Using ChatGPT AI
- Scratch – Book to Code
- Discover AI in Daily Life
To celebrate Computer Science Education Week, show sponsor FundaFunda is offering a discount on their programming classes – you can get $20 off any of them with code HWT20 until Dec 31, 2023: 5-week Beginner Scratch or Python or Full semester Scratch or Python classes
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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
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252: Ideas for Using New AI Tools in CanvaRebecca Brinkman from Rose and Bird unpacks some of the new AI tools in Canva. Rebecca was the guest on episode 210 – Taking Holiday Photos with Storytelling in Mind and 227 – Why all teens should learn Canva
All the tools available in Magic Studio and what they do
● Magic Edit (free) – Use the brush to select part of a photo and then use text to describe
what you want to regenerate to take that objects place
● Magic Design (free) – Generates images, clip art and videos (using Runway but only 5
credits available). Access in the Elements panel where it says “AI Image Generator.”
● Magic Write (available in free version but requires the use of a credit each time you use
it) – Text generation similar to ChatGPT.
● Magic Animate – applies different combinations of text and object animations to a design
or template with choices for different options.
● Magic Switch – similar to a tool Pro Canva has had for a while where you can resize from
one format – like a square Instagram post – to another size like for a Facebook post. The
resize part of it has expanded into all of the media forms and sizes they have available.
They have also added other tools inside this that will translate your text to another
language, convert your design to a doc for a summary, blog post and even song lyrics.
● Magic Morph – use this to convert text into dynamic shapes and forms.
● Magic Media – text to image and text to video generator similar to Midjourney.
● Magic Grab – makes it possible to select one element in a photo and move it to another
spot in the image or remove it altogether.
● Magic Expand – using generative AI to expand your image on one side.
Rebecca goes into detail on how to use the two free AI tools.
Where to find Rebecca online:
- Online Graphic Design with Canva class she teaches
- Website Rose and Bird
- YouTube
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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
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This is a replay of episode 159 – you can find the original show notes here.
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251: How to use tech to inspire a love of learningGuest Kami Wanous from The Freedom Scholar gives some great ideas on how to use tech to inspire a love of learning.
Here are the 6 ideas she covers:
- Using short videos or online classes (one time class) to spark interest – like YouTube and Varsity Tutors
- Coding games like Scratch
- Podcasts designed for kids
- Virtual field trips
- Audio books
- Using maker spaces or tech like 3D printing
Where you can find Kami
- Facebook Group
- Podcast
- Live with Kami
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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 Use Tech to Inspire a Love of Learning appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
250: Verizon Learning PortalThe Verizon Learning Portal is a free collection of online lessons for K – 12. In this episode I share some of the cools things I found in it and what it was like working through a lesson.
I also share about the 7 full courses they offer.
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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
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249: Digital Music ProductionIn this episode, music industry veteran Brent Daniels shares resources teens can use for digital music production.
Online Tools Mentioned in this Episode
Garageband (iOS)
Bandlab, Soundtrap (Windows / Chrome)
Next level – Logic Pro (Apple)
Waveformfree (cross platform)
Pro Tools – Avid Sub and FL Studio
Where to find Brent Daniels
Find the Digital Music Production course on the Mr. D Math website
Trailer for the Digital Music Production Course
You can find Brent at BrentDanielsMusic.com
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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
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248: Learn tech skills with passion led projectsToday’s episode explains how to learn tech skills with passion led projects. Use topics your children are interested in and integrate tech to create a meaningful project.
Ideas on how to use tech to gather information for the project
- online research
- surveys through Google forms
- store data on a spreadsheet; create graphs
- take digital photos
- organize information using a tool like Evernote (or OneNote)
Ideas on ways to present a passion led project
- video (animated Powtoon), filmed, Canva, slideshow saved as mp4, Stop motion animation, My Simple Show, screencasting (Loom or Screencastify)
- choose your own adventure using Google slides or other tools
- infographic or digital poster (Canva)
- podcast
- website (Canva etc)
- digital book (Storyjumper)
- online game / interactive website using Scratch or Flippity
FundaFunda classes mentioned in this episode
- Computer Applications graded class and the self-paced class
- Scratch
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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 Learn tech skills with passion led projects appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
247: Digital tools to help you write a novelJust in time for NaNaWriMo, guest Jennie Miller shares some digital tools to help you write a novel. These can be used by middle and high schoolers.
The resources Jennie mentions are
- Young Writer’s Program through NaNoWriMo
- Scrivener and the app Scapple by Literature and Latte
- Save the Cat
Jennie’s online English classes for high school
- High School English
- Independent Honors English
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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 Digital Tools to Help you Write a Novel appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
246: Resources to teach netiquetteChildren need to be taught by their parents how to behave well online and so I have found some resources to teach netiquette to help you do that.
Also be sure to listen to episode 212 – Teaching Children to be Kind Online
Resources mentioned in this episode
Digital Citizenship Curriculum
Video for K-2
Keeping games fun and friendly video for 4th grade
Digital drama unplugged video for middle school
Civil discourse online video for high schoolers
Blog post about teaching digital citizenship to students who learn and think differently
Video on how to interact formally and informally online
Interland online game – the second and fourth lands teach netiquette
Rules of netiquette for students from the University of Texas at El Paso
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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 Resources to teach netiquette appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
245: Online games that promote thinking and build math skillsDennis DiNoia from Mr.D Math is our guest and he shares some of his favorite games that promote thinking and build math skills.
Online games mentioned in this episode
- Online Chess with a twist
- Yahtzee
- 2048 game
- Backgammon
- Logic Puzzles
- Calculators.org (math, board games and more)
You can find Dennis at
Mr. D Math
Facebook
Instagram
Youtube
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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 Online games that promote thinking and build math skills appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
244: How much tech is too much techIn this episode, listeners are encourage to work through how much tech is too much tech for their family. A number of factors are mentioned to consider.
The podcast projects created by Manoush Zomorodi are
- Bored and Brilliant Bootcamp
- Infomagical
FundaFunda Classes mentioned in this episode:
Health
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 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 How much tech is too much tech appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
243: Math contests with Haley StoryHaley runs a math club and as part of the club she encourages the participants to take part in math contests.
Haley begins by explaining why you should consider registering your homeschooler for these contests. She goes on to talk about:
-
Noetic
-
Bebras
-
Math Counts
-
Purple Comet
-
AMC
Be sure to listen to the episode to learn more as it will help you decide which of these math contests could be a good fit for your children.
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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 Math Contests appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
242: Science OlympiadI have coached a homeschool Science Olympiad team for many years and have seen the huge benefits it has provided to the students involved.
For more information about the contest visit Soinc.org.
If you can’t find a team in your area – start one!
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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. You can also ask more about Science Olympiad!
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 Science Olympiad appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
Guest Lindsay Leiviska explains how to modify online curriculum for special needs students. You can find Lindsay online at A Heart For All Students. Her podcast is also called “A Heart for All Students”. This is a replay of episode 126 – you can find the original show notes here.
The post Replay: How to modify online curriculum for special needs students: Part 2 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
This is a replay of episode 125 – you can find the original show notes here.
The post Replay: How to modify online curriculum for special needs students: Part 1 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
241: How Learning Tech Skills Young Can Benefit Your Child Guest Charis Guilford, a high school senior, explains how learning tech skills young can benefit your child by sharing her own story. These are the questions she answered. Listen to the episode to get inspired to teach your children how to use a computer effectively. […]
The post How Learning Tech Skills Young Can Benefit Your Child appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
240: AI in the tools you already use Do you know there is probably AI in the tools you already use? Here are the ones mentioned in this episode: 1. Gmail – Smart reply / compose 2. Canva Text to image (under Apps) Magic Write AI Photo editing Magic Create Presentations 3. Google slides – […]
The post AI in the tools you already use appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
239: Free vs paid online resources Free vs Paid Online Resources? This episode covers reasons you might choose one over the other and I give a few ideas on where to find free resources. For all the details listen to the episode. Things to consider 1. Budget 2. Priorities 3. Kids abilities and interests 4. […]
The post Free vs Paid Online Resources appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
238: 3 Digital Resources to Include in Your Homeschool This Year As you plan your school year, consider adding these 3 digital resources to your homeschool. They are all free and can help both you and your children. The 3 digital resources for homeschooling are: Google Docs Canva ChatGPT Listen to the episode to learn […]
The post 3 Digital Resources to Include in Your Homeschool This Year appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
This is a replay of episode 143 – you can find the show notes here.
The post Replay: Asynchronous vs Synchronous Online Classes appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
237: Prompt engineering: A skill you and your children need Chris Remboldt of [future homeschool] explains what prompt engineering is and why you and your children need to learn it. These are the questions Chris answers in this episode: 1. What is prompt engineering 2. Why is it important to learn how to do? 3. […]
The post Prompt engineering: A skill you and your children need appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
236: The Art of Collaboration: AI-Driven Unit Studies Randi Smith from Peanut Butter Fish Lessons is my guest again and in this episode wee demonstrate how you can collaborate with AI to create AI-driven unit studies. Randi is using Khanmigo and Meryl is using ChatGPT. Be sure to listen to our 3-part series on ChatGPT […]
The post The Art of Collaboration: AI-Driven Unit Studies appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
This is a replay of episode 155 – you can find the show notes here.
The post Replay: Screens and Guilt appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
This is a replay of episode 132. You can find the show notes here
The post Replay: Using Tech to Enjoy Nature appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
235:Benefits of Teens Starting a Youtube Channel with Audrey Parker In this episode I talked to Audrey Parker about the Benefits of Teens starting a Youtube Channel. Audrey is a teen who has her own channel and these are the questions I asked her: 1. What motivated you to start a YouTube channel? 2. What […]
The post Benefits of Teens Starting a Youtube Channel appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
234: Navigating College Prep in the Digital Age This podcast discusses many different aspects to navigating college prep in the digital age. Until June 30, 2023, the coupon POD5 will give you a $5 (20%) discount on the self-paced College Prep class / contest (High School Challenge) from show sponsor FundaFunda. Previous podcast episodes mentioned […]
The post Navigating College Prep in the Digital Age appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
233: Using tech to encourage good habits Our guest, Katie Matteson, talks to us about using tech to encourage good habits. She does this by using the Greenlight app. Katie was also on episode 199 where she shared about 3D printing. Listen to this episode to learn all about how Katie uses the Greenlight app […]
The post Using tech to encourage good habits appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
232: Online Resources for Improving French Skills Today’s guest, Sébastien Crépieux, has been teaching French for many years and he shares with us his favorite online resources for improving French skills. Sébastien teaches French online with show sponsor FundaFunda Academy. Online French resources mentioned in this episode Wordreference.com: To look for a French word within […]
The post Online Resources for Improving French Skills appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
231: Robotics competitions with Dawn and Nate GarrettGuests Dawn Garrett and her son Nate join us to talk about Robotics Competitions. You can learn about Nate’s team here and see their 2023 competition robot
If you missed episode 225 on An Introduction to Robotics – start by listening to that.
You can find general information about robotics in this blog post – Robotics in your Homeschool
These are the questions our guests answered.
- Nate: How long have you been involved in robotics?
- Dawn: Why did you think about robotics as an area for Nate to get involved in?
- Dawn: How did you find a FLL team?
- Nate: Over the years on FLL – what roles did you play on the team? What did you enjoy most about FLL
- Dawn: How did you find a First Robotics team?
- Nate: How is this different from FLL? What do you have to do? What is your role on the team?
- How does the contest work?
- Nate: What have you enjoyed most doing robotics?
- Nate: What has been the biggest challenge?
- Nate: What have you learned?
11 Dawn: What have you observed as a parent watching Nate get involved? What do you think the biggest benefits have been? - Nate: Has robotics influenced your ideas for a career?
You can find Dawn at
LadyDusk.com
Instagram: LadyDusk
Dawn is also the Community Manager for PamBarnhill.com
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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 Robotics competitions appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
230: How to set students up for success in high school science classes with Dr. Kristin MoonDr. Kristin Moon from Kristin Moon Science explains how to set students up for success in high school science classes.
Dr. Moon teaches Chemistry for show sponsor FundaFunda Academy and a number of science classes at True North Homeschool Academy.
These are the questions she answers:
-
What should middle school parents do to make sure their children are ready
-
a) What is the biggest problem you see in high school classes?
b) How to overcome this problem? -
a) What other problems?
b) How to overcome them? -
What non-science skills do students need to be successful?
You can find the summer class on Math Skills for Chemistry mentioned in this episode here
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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 Set Students up for Success in High School Science Classes appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
229: Everfi Free Online CoursesIn this episode, I explain how homeschoolers can use Everfi’s free online courses.
There are courses for all ages and they cover finance, career exploration, health, entrepreneurship, and more.
There are interactive online modules you assign to your children and also lesson plans that you can use to assign offline projects related to the material covered.
Listen to the episode to see if you can use Everfi in your homeschool.
Show sponsor FundaFunda Academy classes mentioned in this episode:
- High School Health
- Personal Finance
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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 Everfi Free Online Courses appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
228: Math is a good tool for learning to think criticallyToday’s guest is Elizabeth Weaver and she loves math and is enthusiastic about its ability to aid us to think critically! Elizabeth lectures at Roane State Community College, a homeschool co-op, and also teaches the Agebra 2 class at show sponsor FundaFunda Academy.
In this episode, Elizabeth answers these 4 questions:
1 Why is critical thinking important?
-
Why is math a good tool to practice it?
-
Why are word problems important?
-
What should parents look for in a math curriculum?
Overall takeaway – realize the potential math has to help your children think critically and make sure the curriculum you use achieves this. Listen to the full episode to learn more.
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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 Math is a good tool for learning to think critically appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
227: Why all teens should learn CanvaBecky Brinkman from Rose and Bird explains why all teens should learn Canva.
Becky was the guest on episode 210 – Taking Holiday Photos with Storytelling in Mind
Becky answers the following questions:
-
Why do students need to build confidence in creating graphics – especially if they don’t believe
they are “artistic”? -
How can we bridge the gap between natural visual communicators and everybody else?
-
Why is Canva a particularly good tool to learn?
-
What are some things students need to learn to use Canva effectively?
Becky concluded by giving an overview of the Graphic Design with Canva class she will be teaching for show sponsor FundaFunda Academy from Fall 2023.
Where to find Becky Brinkman online:
- Website Rose and Bird
- YouTube
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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 Why all teens should learn Canva appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
226:Exploring AI with Your Homeschooled TeenIn this episode, you will learn why exploring AI with your teen is something you should be doing.
If you know very little about AI, a good place to start would be our previous episodes on ChatGPT
3 previous episodes on ChatGPT
Episode 215- What is ChatGPT?
Episode 216- ChatGPT and the Future of Education
Episode 217- 10 Ways to Use ChatGPT in Your Homeschool
5 topics to address with your teens about AI
-
Learn something new together. 3 websites mentioned
-
Canva
- ChatGPT
-
Microsoft Designer
-
Discuss the ethical questions involved
-
Discuss appropriate use for assignments – Video mentioned (start at minute 17) Generative AI with Steve Dembo and Vicki Davis
-
Learn to use it effectively eg how to craft good prompts
-
Discuss how AI might affect their choice of career
Show sponsor FundaFunda Academy classes mentioned that will include instruction on how to use AI:
- Graphic Design with Canva
- 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 Exploring AI with Your Homeschooled Teen appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
225:An Introduction to Robotics with Vinod AgrawalVinod Agrawal from Robotics Workshops for Kids is our guest and he talks about how to provide your children with an introduction to robotics
Vinod covers these topics in this episode:
- How he became interested in robotics
- Why he decided to teach robotics to students
- What is involved in learning robotics
- Who will be interested in robotics
- The free workshop he offers
- How to build a drum-playing robot
- Extra projects students can do with the robot after it is built
- Careers in robotics
You can find Vinod at
Robotics Workshops for Kids
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook
Podcast episode mentioned
Episode 199: Using 3D Printing in your Homeschool with Katie Matteson
Coding classes from show sponsor FundaFunda mentioned
- Scratch Programming
- Python Programming
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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 An Introduction to Robotics appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
224:Integrating Technology in Literature StudiesThis episode discusses integrating technology in literature studies to help provide students with a richer experience as they read novels.
The websites and ideas mentioned are:
- Book Adventure: book quizzes, reading logs, graphic organizers etc
- Vocabulary.com: vocabulary lists for specific books.
- Crashcourse Literature
- Virtual museum tours
- Google Streetview
- Apps and websites relating to content eg Skyview app when studying Greek Mythology
- Litcharts: Mentioned on the episode Apps for High School Sttudents
- Digital Projects: websites mentioned Powtoon and Canva
- ChatGPT
- FundaFunda Academy’s English 1, English Honors and Jane Austen classes
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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 Integrating technology in literature studies appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
223: Online Classes and Neurodiversity: Building Independence and Social Skills at HomeGuest Lindsay Leiviska talks to us about Online Classes and Neurodiversity. You can find Lindsay online at A Heart For All Students. Her podcast is also called “A Heart for All Students”.
Be sure to listen to the previous episodes 125 and 126 where Lindsay explains how to modify online curriculum for special needs students
These are the topics Lindsay covers in this episode
1. The Why Behind Online or Digital Classes
- Screen-based learning can give them the independence they need to learn more effectively
- Support your child by “removing the audience” and giving them agency
- Outsourcing classes can alleviate stress on the parent-child relationship
2. At What Age?
- Completely dependent on the child
- Consider anxiety level
- Consider executive functioning level
3. Asynchronous vs Synchronous
-
Again, completely dependent on the child’s executive function and anxiety level
-
How much support from parents?
-
Social Time
-
Use online platforms like Outschool for social time
Bonus Tip: Allow Gaming as a way to createrelationships
You can find Lindsay at
A Heart for all Students
Facebook: @aheartforallstudents
Pinterest: @aheartforallstudents
Instagram: @aheartforallstudents
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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 Online Classes and Neurodiversity: Building Independence and Social Skills at Home appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
222: More Online Geography GamesIn this episode I share more online geography games – find the first episode on this topic here (episode 16). Also be sure to listen to episode 129 where I talk about a variety of digital resources for learning geography – I include some games that I don’t mention in the current episode.
Online Geography games mentioned in this episode:
- Worldle and the Earthle app both are discussed in more detail in the episode on Daily Online Puzzle Games
- Globle – find versions at https://globle-game.com/game or https://globle.org/
- Mappuzzle
- Geoquiz
- Carmen Sandiego on Google Earth
- Google Arts and Culture game : Where is Hopper?
- Geo Artwork – especially the “Places” option
- Geogeek AR
Games like these are used in show sponsor FundaFunda’s web-based Geography unit studies and their high school online Geography class.
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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 More Online Geography Games appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
221: Virtual Music Lessons with Sean-David McGoranSean-David McGoran from The Tuned In Academy is the guest on today’s episode and we discuss virtual music lessons.
These are the questions he answers:
- What are some key reasons children should learn music?
- What if my child doesn’t want to play an instrument, should they still learn music?
- How is music education beneficial for long-range educational/career goals?
- How do virtual music lessons work?
- What benefits are there to virtual instruction vs in person?
- Does virtual work for all instruments?
- Does it work for all ages? All proficiency levels?
- Music tuition online programs/videos vs live instruction? Pros and cons
You can find Sean-David at
- The Tuned In Academy which offers both in person and virtual music lessons
- Instagram: @thetunedinacademy
- Facebook: thetunedinacademy
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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 Virtual Music Lessons appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
220: How to Use the Internet to Find the Right Curriculum for Your ChildWhether you are new to homeschooling or need to change things up, you can use the internet to find the right curriculum for your child.
Here’s what is covered in this episode:
1. Don’t start to look for curriculum until you have asked yourself a few questions:
- what kind of a homeschooler do I want to be – see the blog post on Homeschooling Styles
- what is my child’s learning style
- what is my goal in homeschooling
- what can I afford
2. Time to ask other people questions and get suggestions
2.1 FaceBook groups
- specialist ones – for example Homeeschooling Middle School, Homeschooling Collegebound Teens, ones for athletes, secular homeschoolers, Charlotte Mason homeschoolers, Special Needs homeschoolers.
- general homeschooling ones
- local ones
2.1. Forums for example, Welltrained Mind
3. Ask ChatGPT or other AI
AI can help summarize what is available
4. Read reviews
Look for reviews on the actually product listing, and also on blogs, Youtube, TikTok etc
5. View Samples or Demos of the curriculum
For example, FundaFunda’s demo classroom and Youtube videos demonstrating products
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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 Use the Internet to Find the Right Curriculum for Your Child appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
219: Organizing Digital Homeschool Resources with Brooke PostonOur guest in this episode is Brooke Poston from Homeschool Resource Co who has some great tips to share on organizing digital homeschool resources.
Brooke explains what she means by digital resources and supplemental content and where one can find this content. She then details how to create an inventory spreadsheet to keep track of everything.
Finally, she breaks down the 3 main ways to organize content and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Listen to the episode for some easy-to-implement ideas.
The workbook and course on Digital Organization Brooke mentions
- Workbook
- Course
The digital resources Meryl mentions are
- FundaFunda’s web-based unit studies
- FundaFfunda’s Teaching Resources which include Printable games and digital breakouts
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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 Organizing Digital Homeschool Resources appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
218: TV Shows that Spark a Love for Science and TechnologyIn this episode, I share some favorite TV shows that spark a love for science and technology – while they entertain. These are not shows that explain scientific concepts. Listen to the episode as I describe each of them. The shows I mention are:
- Fetch (Amazon Prime)
- Annedroids (Amazon Prime)
- Design Squad (Amazon Prime)
- Baking Impossible (Netflix)
- Lego Masters (Hulu)
- Domino Masters(Hulu)
- Mark Rober’s Youtube channel
- Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers – PBS/Youtube
Find more ideas on Common Source Media
For interactive science learning, consider show sponsor FundaFunda Academy’s unit studies on science topics.
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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 TV Shows that spark a love for science and technology appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
217: 10 ways to use ChatGPT in your homeschoolRandi Smith from Peanut Butter Fish Lessons is my guest again and together we came up with 10 ways to use ChatGPT in your homeschool.
This is the third episode in our series about ChatGPT. You can listen to the first one on “What is chatGPT? here and the second one on ChatGPT and the future of education here
Here are our 10 ideas – listen to the episode to hear them explained:
-
Rewrite a fairytale in two new ways – one with an unreliable narrator and one with a new setting. Circle the words and phrases that show the change in the good guy/bad guy and that show the new setting.
-
Paste an article into ChatGPT and ask it to rewrite it for different reading levels.
-
Give a list of vocabulary words. Ask your children to use ChatGPT to define them and generate three sentences. Also have it tell them the prefixes, roots, and suffixes. They must correct any mistakes. Then they need to write one sentence that relates to their own life.
-
Generate an essay on a prompt about a novel and then discuss different ways one could answer the prompt
-
Create a Mind Map on a specific topic by asking chat to create an outline. Then repeat for each of those items to generate topics under those topics. Continue for an assigned number of levels.
-
Use it to grade your children’s essays
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Have ChatGPT create a science lab for something you are currently studying in science and then determine if it will work. Ask your children questions like these: Do you think the materials and procedure will help you obtain the objective? Are the materials all items that you could obtain easily and would be safe for you to work with? Are there any other materials you think you need that are not listed? Can you follow the procedure safely? If not, are there changes you could make to follow the procedure? Complete the lab if possible. Do your findings agree with the conclusion?
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Create tests and reading comprehension quizzes
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Foreign language: Ask ChatGPT to write captions for 10 pictures you took on a field trip, vacation, etc. (You would have to describe the picture eg. write a 50-word caption about the Grand Canyon in Spanish. Tell your children to circle the words that are new to them and then make a list of 10 new words or phrases they learned.
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Ask for a lesson plan on something you want to teach your children
Bonus idea: Use it to find recipes and make a shopping list
You can find Randi at
- Peanut Butter Fish Lessons
- Instagram @peanutbutterfishlessons
- Facebook @peanutbutterfishlessons
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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 to use ChatGPT in your homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
216: ChatGPT and the future of educationIn this episode, we discuss ChatGPT and what the evolution of AI technology means for the future of education. My guest is Randi Smith from Peanut Butter Fish Lessons who was also the guest on the episode Exploring Media Bias.
This is the second episode in a 3-part series on ChatgPT. You can listen to the first one on “What is chatGPT? here.
The questions we discuss in this episode are:
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Should we be alarmed by ChatGPT?
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Is this the end of the essay? The end of needing writing skills? What writing skills will students still need?
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How do you think ChatGPT will change education?
a) What are new ways we will need to assess students?
b) What new skills will students need to work effectively with Chat GPT? -
What benefits do we see in having students work with ChatGPT?
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As homeschool parents, how should ChatGPT and other forms of AI factor into how we homeschool?
The websites you can use to check if an essay has been written by AI are GPTZero and Checkforai.
You can find Randi at
- Peanut Butter Fish Lessons
- Instagram @peanutbutterfishlessons
- Facebook @peanutbutterfishlessons
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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
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215: What is ChatGPT?What is CHatGPT? ChatGPT is a type of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that uses deep learning techniques to generate human-like text. It is trained on a massive dataset of text from the internet, allowing it to understand and respond to a wide range of natural language inputs.
Log in at https://chat.openai.com/ It is currently free. Only people over 18 can sign up.
The blog post mentioned can be found here on BusinessesGrow.
Listen to the episode to hear what ChatGPT can and can’t do and how it is such a disruptive technology.
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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 What is ChatGPT? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
214: 9 techie jobs teens can do to start a business (or for small businesses) with Katie HornorKatie Hornor, entrepreneur and business coach, is our guest in this episode and she shares 9 techie jobs teens can do to start a business – or they can do these tasks for small businesses.
These are the techie jobs she mentions:
- Graphic design – tools Humorus.co, Canva
- Bookkeeping
- Data entry
- Video editing – tools Capcut app, iMovie, Davinci
- Podcast editing – tool Garageband
- Youtube/social media management
- Podcast notes
- Email scheduling
- Funnel building
For more ideas listen to the series from Summer 2021 where I interview 8 techie teens.
You can find Katie at theflamingoadvantage.com and KatieHornor.com . She is on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Special Offer from showsponsor FundaFunda Academy on their self-paced Computer Applications class which teaches many of the skills Katie mentions: a discount of $20 with HWT20 before the end of Februrary 2023
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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
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213: Daily Online Puzzle GamesDaily online puzzle games can be a fun way for families to learn new facts together. The ones mentioned in this episode are
- Wordle – listen to episode 201 on how to create your own Wordle-type games.
- Tridle
- Artle – guess the artist
- Artle UK version – guess the work of art
- Worldle – guess the country from its shape
- Tradle – guess the country or state from its exports
- Semantle – guess the word from its semantic relationship to other words
- Nerdle – figure out the equation
- Redactle – work out which Wikipedia page it is
- Spelling Bee – limited version is free
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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
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212: Teaching children to be kind onlineVicki Tillman is a veteran homeschool mom and a trained counselor and in this episode she shares ideas on teaching children to be kind online.
Topics covered include:
1) Why should we intentionally teach young people to be kind online?
2) When should we teach them to be kind online?
3) What are some guidelines for kindness to think about sharing with kids?
4) What should they do if they experience unkindness online?
5) What should they do if they slip up and act unkindly online?
Where you can find Vicki
Vicki Tillman is a fellow podcast host and you can listen to her on The Homeschool Highschool Podcast. Vicki also develops curriculum and is a homeschool coach at 7 Sisters Homeschool.
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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
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211: Online learning for homeschool moms In this episode, I talk about why online learning for homeschool moms is important – and I suggest various free resources that make learning easy to do.
The resources I mention are listed below. Listen to the episode to learn more about each one.
- Youtube – including FundaFunda’s Youtube channel
- Online resources available through your local library eg Lynda, Rosetta Stone
- Duolingo
- Class Central for MOOCS (listen to our episode on MOOCs for more info about them)
- Udemy
- Google certifications
- Salesforce
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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
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This is a replay of episode 144. You can find the show notes here.
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This is a replay of episode 120. You can find the show notes here
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210: Taking Holiday Photos with Storytelling in Mind
In today’s episode, Becky Brinkman from Rose and Bird shares ideas on taking holiday photos with storytelling in mind
Listen to the episode for all her very useful tips. The resource page with videos and articles that go into more detail on some aspects can be found here
Where to find Becky Brinkman online:
- Website Rose and Bird
- YouTube
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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
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209: Techie Gifts for Your ChildrenHere is a list of techie gifts for your children you can use as inspiration this Christmas.
- 3d pen – Listen to a previous episode (199) on 3D printing and visit the 3D printing tab here
- headphones
- Kindle / tablet / Gabb watch (listen to our recent episode), drawing tablet
- Video games – Human Resources Game, Game Builder Garage
- 30 days lost in space
- Kits – robots, electricity etc
- Coding board games
- Creative software – Adobe, Canva etc
- Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunts
- Phone accessories like tripods, external battery
- Classes to teach tech skills – see show sponsor FundaFunda Academy’s options and special offer below
You can find specific items for some of these suggestions at Stem Gifts Under 50 Dollars
Show sponsor FundaFunda’s programming classes – you can get $15 off any of them with code HWT15 until Dec 31, 2022: 5-week Beginner Scratch or Python or Full semester Scratch or Python classes
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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
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208: Challenge your kids to codeThere is no better time to challenge your kids to code! Computer Science Education week is December 5 – 11, 2022 but the free resources I talk about in this episode are available year-round
Mentioned in this episode:
Hour of Code – in the episode, I explain how to navigate the website to find the perfect activity for your child.
Show sponsor FundaFunda’s programming classes – you can get $15 off any of them with code HWT15 until Dec 31, 2022: 5-week Beginner Scratch or Python or Full semester Scratch or Python classes
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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
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This is a replay of episode 63. You can find the show notes here
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207: Safe Phones Kids Can Wear You probably don’t want your elementary-age child to have a phone – but there are times you wish you could contact them – and that is where safe phones that kids can wear ie watches are such a good option. My sister, Lynne Robinson, bought one for her daughter […]
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206: Using tech to encourage thankfulness in your homeschool Here are some ideas on using tech to encourage thankfulness in your homeschool. Listen to thee episode which goes into more detail: Email teachers and coaches Write Reviews – books, podcasts, classes etc. Create Digital cards or use a tool like Canva to make ones to […]
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205: How to Select Tech Tools for your Homeschool It is overwhelming when looking at all thee options to figure out how to select tech tools that will be useful and not distracting in your homeschool. Tech tools should do one of these things 1. Solve a problem 2. Prepare your kids for college and […]
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204: AI resources for your homeschool In this episode, we look at some free AI resources you can use for your homeschool. The AI tools mentioned are: https://experiments.withgoogle.com/collection/ai – quickdraw; https://experiments.withgoogle.com/quick-draw 20 seconds – talks as you draw https://experiments.withgoogle.com/ai/ai-duet/view/ – you play notes – then it does https://www.autodraw.com/ – I drew a house – it […]
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203: Carschooling with technology Homeschool moms can find themselves carschooling on occasion, regularly, or on vacation – here are some ideas on carschooling with technology. Here are some websites and apps mentioned in this episode – listen to the full episode for all the ideas. Vocabulary.com Stack the States app CDC Solve the Outbreak app […]
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202: Digital Milestones for Kids Lisa Honold, our guest, suggests some guidelines for digital milestones for kids in this episode. Lisa is a national speaker on protecting kids online and helping them develop a healthy relationship with technology over time. Find her at the Center for Online Safety. Don’t miss her podcast, Unplug and Plug […]
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201: How to Create your own Wordle-type games You can use Wordle-type games for reviewing vocabulary in your homeschool and in this episode I share how to create your own Wordle-type games with free tools These are the websites I mention: mywordle.strivemath.com Flippity Scratch —————————————————————————————————————- Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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. […]
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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 […]
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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. Quizlet (website and app for K and up). Listen to episode 25 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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190: Tech skills I’m glad I learned: Reflections of a high school graduate – Interview with Natalie Vaughn Guest Natalie Vaughn has just graduated from high school and she shares the tech skills she is glad she learned and how they helped her. Be sure to listen to my interview with Natalie last week when […]
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189: Apps for High School Students Natalie Vaughn, who is newly graduated, shares with us the apps for high school students, she found the most useful. My Study Life (organization of deadlines, class schedules, etc.) Duolingo Anki (an alternative for Quizlet) Grammarly (spell and grammar check) Lit Charts (summaries, character breakdowns, outlines, etc. for classic […]
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188: Tech for Road Trips Need some ideas on how to use tech for road trips in a productive way with your children? 1. For Entertainment audiobooks podcasts – listen to our previous episode on Podcasts for kids of all ages movies, TV shows video games and apps. The ones I mentioned: Human Resource Machine […]
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187: How to use Movies in your Homeschool In this episode, guest Rachel van der Merwe, discusses how to use movies in your homeschool. Rachel is Assistant professor of media studies at the University of Groningen and FundaFunda’s teacher of the “I Spy: A Course in Visual Literacy” online class. Rachel starts off talking about […]
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186: Get Ahead of the Class app Denise Thomas from Get Ahead of the Class has created an app with the same name to help parents and teens navigate the college application process. The app is free and available on iPhone and Android. You can start using it from middle school up. It will help […]
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How to Create Online Choose Your Own Adventure Games
The post Online Choose your Own Adventure Games appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
185: Online Choose Your Own Adventure Games This episode explores the benefits of using Online Choose Your Own Adventure Games as part of your homeschool and gives some specific examples of some you can use. In a previous podcast episode I shared ways your children can create their own Choose Your Own Adventure game To […]
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184: Using Tech for Summer Learning While you might be wishing your children stayed off teach this vacation, let me share some ideas for using tech for summer learning that might change your mind. Using tech on vacation / staycation 1. Clio – shows historical sites near your locations 2. Geocaching – listen to episode […]
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183: Homeschool Tech Hacks with Linsey Knerl Linsey Knerl, author of Homeschool Hacks: How to Give Your Kid a Great Education without Losing Your Job (or Your Mind.) shares her top Homeschool Tech Hacks with us in this episode. Linsey starts by answering the following questions: Do we really need technology? How does technology for […]
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182: Tech knowledge teens need to run a business with Adeola Ariyo Guest Adeola Ariyo from Next Genpreneur shares tech knowledge teens need to run a business. What tech should teens know how to use to run a business? Canva for graphics Excel or Google Sheets for Record keeping Coding Listen to the episode to […]
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181: How Writing on the Computer Helps Kids become Better Writers Veldorah Rice from Write From the Heart is our guest in this episode and explains how writing on the computer can help kids write better. Be sure to also listen to her episodes on best practices for internet research. This is the outline of […]
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180: Representation in Kid Tech Guest Amber O’Neal Johnston discusses some of the ideas about representation in kid tech that she covers in one chapter of her new book – A Place to Belong. the book releases on May 17th. You can pre-order it here. Amber was the guest in Episode 157 – Technology and […]
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179: Free Tools for Researching Colleges and Universities with Holly Ramsey Holly Ramsey from Thoughtful Homeschooling shares a number of free tools for researching colleges and universities in this episode. All the tools she suggests during the interview are listed below, but you can request her full free guide here. Know Yourself: Tools to explore […]
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178: Tech Electives for High School As we live in a techy world, tech electives are not only fun for most high schoolers, but also necessary. These electives can cover a wide range of interests and abilities. Computer Applications/Digital Literacy – this elective will make sure students are ready for all the tech they will […]
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177: More Online Poetry Resources This episode offers more suggestions for online poetry resources – last April for National Poetry Month I recorded an episode with other resources. So be sure to check out episode 127 if you haven’t listened to that one already as I have not repeated any of those resources this year. […]
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176: Gamification in your Homeschool There are many benefits to using gamification in your homeschool. Listen to this episode to learn: 1. What gamification is (hint: it isn’t adding games to your homeschool) 2. How to gamify your homeschool. Websites mentioned here are: Duolingo Prodigy Math Vocabulary.com Khan Academy 3. How to track points and […]
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175: 12 Ways to use Canva in your Homeschool Canva is a very versatile graphics creation tool and in this episode, we explore 12 ways to use Canva in your homeschool. To learn more about how Canva was started you can listen to Guy Raz’s podcast episode on How I built this. 1. Digital poster […]
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174: Best practices for Internet Research Veldorah Rice from Write From the Heart is our guest in this episode and she shares some best practices for internet research. This is the outline of the episode – be sure to listen to hear these points explained. 1. Benefits of Internet Research a. Convenience b. Amount of […]
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173: Social Media Templates for Fun Assignments This episode delves into using social media templates for fun assignments for your children. Listen in for ideas on how to use fake social media templates in your homeschool. Here are the different places to find the templates mentioned in this episode: Classtools has a Fakebook template and […]
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172: Social Media and Homeschooling How social media can help you in your homeschooling Here are the ideas mentioned: 1. Modeling social media use for your children 2. Choose your channel(s) – you don’t need to be everywhere 3. Choose social media accounts and types that have a positive effect on your life 4. Connect […]
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171: Compassion in an Interconnected World This episode covers ways to help people around the globe in times of disaster. The websites mentioned are: Charity Navigator – which provides a rating system for charities Airbnb – search by the area where you want to support people Etsy – Search for digital downloads and use the […]
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170: Online Resources about Ukraine and Russia In this episode, you will find online resources about Ukraine and Russia you can use in your homeschool. There are resources that relate to the current conflict but also resources to learn about the history, geography, and culture of the two countries involved. Instagram accounts mentioned in this […]
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169: PDF tips and tricks Learn about a number of free tools that allow you to manipulate PDFs in this episode on PDF tips and tricks. The tools mentioned in this episode are: Scannable – app that scans documents and saves to PDF. Sejda to fill out and sign PDFs Mac PDF Preview – select […]
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168: Online Black History Resources As February is Black History Month, here are some online Black History resources to add to your homeschool. If you haven’t already listened to last year’s episode on the topic, you can find it here. None of the resources I mentioned in this episode are repeated from last year. Here […]
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167: Free Online Word Games and Apps The free online word games and apps mentioned in this episode are: Wordle Klura and Wordus are phone apps similar to Wordle Words with Friends – similar to Scrabble Typeshift – move the columns of letters to create words, new one each day 7 Little Words – find […]
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This is a rerun of episode 50 which references 3 resources to create Choose Your Own Adventure Games online You can find the show notes on the original episode 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 […]
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166: Organizing your homeschool with tech in 2022 In this episode, we look at various tech tools you can use for organizing your homeschool. Here are the resources mentioned: * Planning – Google sheets, Evernote * Record keeping – grades, all high school things (hs challenge) * Calendar – Google calendar * Assigning tasks – […]
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165: Improving tech skills in your homeschool in 2022 We discussed why it is important to keep improving tech skills for both you and your children – listen to the episode for that info. Websites mentioned in this episode: Pixlr – photo editing Strava – fitness monitoring app Lynda – lots of classes, often free […]
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164: Email strategy in your homeschool for 2022 This episode discusses email strategy in your homeschool – we talk about how it relates to both your children and yo, the parent. 1. Your kids and email When to get it How to use it: Episode 60 – Teaching Kids Soft Skills for Digital Communication 2. […]
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163: Technology Reset in Your Homeschool for 2022 In this episode, you will get suggestions on how to do a technology reset in your homeschool in 2022. We touch on 3 areas: 1. Devices 2. Technology Usage. The two challenges I suggest you do with your children are Bored and Brilliant Infomagical The FundaFunda class […]
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This is a rerun of episode 39 which offers a number of different ideas on how teens can make money online. You can find the show notes on the original episode here. ————————————————————————————————– Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Join our […]
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This is a rerun of episode 14 which explains what Digital Breakouts are and where to find them. You can find the show notes on the original episode 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 […]
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162: Digital Christmas Cards Listen to the episode to hear why I think you should encourage your children to create Digital Christmas Cards. Here are the tools I suggest they use. All have free plans and all allow you to upload your own photographs: Smilebox Canva Adobe Spark Google Slides Scratch FundaFunda’s unit studies that […]
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161: STEM Christmas Gifts STEM Christmas gifts have the advantage of being both educational and fun. Your children are likely to get more use out of them than many other toys. Natalie Vaughn joins me on this episode as we share some of our favorite STEM toys. You can find links to many of the […]
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160: An easy way to get your children coding Do you need an easy way to get your children coding? Do you know they need to learn and have no idea where to start? Well, this episode is for you. In it, I share about the Hour of Code and how it can get children […]
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159:10 websites you will be thankful I told you about The 10 useful websites for homeschooling that I talk about in this episode are: Canva Flippity Vocabulary.com iCivics PHET Grammarly Slidesmania – find their tips and tricks page here The Kids Should See This BookBub Standard eBooks ————————————————————————————————– Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda […]
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158: Online Primary History Sources In this episode, you can learn why you would want to use online primary history sources as well as where you can find them. One use would be if your child is competing in National History Day which I talk about in episode 5. The 4 sources I mention are: […]
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157: Technology and Handicrafts: An unlikely pair with Amber O’Neal Johnston Amber O’Neal Johnston from HeritageMom shares how technology and handicrafts go hand-in-hand in their homeschool. If you think your family is more about crafts and prefer not to spend time using technology, then this episode is for you! Follow her on Instagram at @heritagemomblog! […]
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In this episode, you will learn about various free eBook creation websites and how you can incorporate using them into your homeschool. This month is NaNaWriMo and if your children participate in that they can use one of these ideas to create an eBook that is easy to share with others. The 5 eBook creators […]
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155: Screens and Guilt with Julie Bogart Julie Bogart from Bravewriter talks to us in this episode about a subject many parents struggle with: Screens and Guilt. Follow Julie on Instagram at JulieBraveWriter! That’s where I saw her talking about this issue. Julie answers the following questions in this episode: What makes video gaming controversial? […]
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154: Online Resources for Brain Teasers with Christy Rickman Guest Christy Rickman shares with us her favorite online resources for brain teasers. Christy first explains why it is beneficial for your children to be doing brainteasers. These are the resources Christy mentions in the episode 1. A website with lots of brain teasers – Puzzlebaron […]
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153: How tech skills helped one homeschooler pay for college with Samantha Shank Samantha Shank from Learn in Color is our guest and explains how tech skills helped her pay for college. Listen to the episode as she tells her story of how she started out as a 14-year-old – who didn’t have techie parents […]
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152: How to add tech to any curriculum In this episode, I discuss how to add tech to any curriculum – whether it is heavily dependent on books, completely online, or somewhere in between. 1. Review games/quizzes 2. Further exploration – webcams, virtual tours, youtube 3. Simulations – Phet, videos of experiments 4. Readalouds – […]
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151: Meterhero: A practical STEM project In this episode, Nate Conroy explains how he came up with the idea for Meterhero and your children can get involved. Meterhero gets students to monitor their own home’s gas, water, and electricity usage and then use the data to see trends, figure out ways to save money and […]
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150: Creating online review games for your children The free resources to create online review games for your children that are mentioned in this episode are Flippity – Matching game, Hangman (Snowman) Classtools – lots of different arcade games to choose from Quizlet -Match up, Gravity All these resources have digital flashcards you can create […]
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149: Using Trello to organize your curriculum with Richie Soares In this episode, Richie Soares from Homeschool and Humor shares tips on using Trello to organize your curriculum. Richie explains what Trello is and how to set it up in various different ways to easily keep track of all the curriculum you are using – […]
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148: Google’s Free Applied Digital Skills Lessons I first learned about Google’s Free Applied Digital Skills lessons from Coach Victor Hicks in an interview he did on the 10 Minute Teacher podcast. Listen to it to hear he how has used these lessons with students. You can find all the lessons here (currently 160 of […]
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147: Using technology to foster curiosity In this episode, the discussion revolves around using technology to foster curiosity. Children are naturally curious and tech makes it easy to help our children explore topics of interest. Here are 7 specific ideas: 1. Use Google Lens to identify plants and other things. 2. Explore.org and other live […]
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146: 4 Ways Challenging Yourself as a Homeschooling Mom Leads to Leveling Up Your Homeschooling Life In this episode, guest Sarah Miller-Snyder shares 4 ways challenging yourself as a homeschool mom leads to leveling up your homeschool. Sarah has been a guest on the podcast twice before. She has shared about Podcasts for hhomeschool families […]
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145: Technology and the Middle School Years In this episode we look at technology and the middle school years from two different perspectives: 1. How much technology is too much? The first topic I discuss is video gaming. The article I reference is here. The Instagram account to look at is @juliebravewriter. Click on “Video […]
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144: Non-tech skills students learn from coding There are many non-tech skills students learn from coding. This means learning to program is useful even when students don’t decide to pursue a degree where programming is core to it. These are the skills i talk about in this episode: Critical Thinking Logic Problem Solving Project Planning […]
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143: Asynchronous vs Synchronous Online Classes In this episode, we take a look at asynchronous vs synchronous online classes and consider which might be a better fit for your family. Synchronous Classes * Live class – Zoom / Google Meet * Interaction? Passive? Discussion? * Homework outside of class? * Specific day/time * If you […]
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142: Techie Teen Jayda: Coding and Digital Art Techie teen Jayda Murray is the guest and talks to us about her interest in digital art and coding. Jayda’s sister was a guest on this series talking about app creation and her mom, Ayanna was a guest on the podcast in episode 105 and shared Online […]
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141: Techie Teen Brandon: Drone Videography In this episode, Brandon Duty explains how he got into drone videography, and what he hopes to do with this skill. These are the questions Brandon answers – listen to the episode to hear his full response, but the links and specific tools he mentions are included below. 1. […]
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140: Techie Teen Anaya: App Creation Techie Teen Anaya Murray talks to us about being an app creator in this episode. Anaya’s mom was a guest on the podcast in episode 105 and shared Online Resources for Creative Writing. Anaya answers the following questions 1. What are your interests outside of tech? Music – Stax […]
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139: Techie Teen Callie: Digital Photography Our guest is techie teen Callie Fulghum who talks to us about her hobby doing digital photography. During the episode, Callie responds to these questions. Be sure to listen to the episode to hear her answers. 1. What are your interests outside of tech? 2. When did you start […]
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138: Techie Teen Natalie: Virtual Assistant Our guest in this episode is techie teen Natalie Vaughn who works as a virtual assistant. In this episode, she talks about how she learned the necessary skills and what her job entails. Resources mentioned in this episode: Scratch online coding class Natalie took Google Drive Unit Study – […]
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137: Techie Teen Eli: Game Creation My guest is Eli Fergusson and in this episode, he talks about video game creation without using coding. The websites Eli mentions: RPG Maker Steam During the episode, Eli responds to these questions. Be sure to listen to the episode to hear his answers. 1. What are your interests […]
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136: Techie Teen Addie: Digital Print Designs This week’s techie homeschooled teen is Addie Snyder who creates Digital Print Designs. Be sure to listen to the episode to hear exactly what she is doing. And here are brief notes and links to the resources she mentions. 1. What are your interests outside of tech? Level […]
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135: Techie teen Jake: Cybersecurity Our summer series of interviews with techie teens kicks off as I interview Jake Stough. Here are brief notes and links to things he mentions, but you need to listen to hear him explain what he has done. 1. What are your interests outside of tech? Hockey 2. When did […]
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134: Introducing the SummerSeries: Techie Homeschooled Teens During June and July, I will be interviewing a number of techie homeschooled teens. They will share about what they are doing using a wide range of technology – game-making, app creation, T-shirt designs, video creation, cybersecurity, and more. In this episode I share what my own children […]
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133: Intentional Summer Screen Time with Sara Radginski Sara Radinski joins us to share her idea of intentional summer screen time – instead of having battles with your children over screen time all summer. Listen to the episode to understand her plan. Here are some resources she mentions: Epic! for a “techie” reading option Coding […]
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132: Using Tech to Enjoy Nature This episode shares resources on using tech to enjoy nature. Technology doesn’t need to take us away from nature but can be used to enhance our enjoyment of nature. Be sure to listen to these previous podcast episodes; Geocaching is basically an outdoor treasure hunt for all ages Google […]
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131: Digital College Prep These are the websites I mention in this episode on Digital College Prep. If your high schoolers participate in the High School Challenge offered annually in the summer by show sponsor FundaFunda Academy, they will participate in assignments using websites like these, as well as many more. Scholarship websites – Moolahspot, […]
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130: Exploring Media Bias My guest is Randi Smith from Peanut Butter Fish Lessons, who talks to us about Exploring Media Bias. The resources she mentions are: All Sides Media Bias Chart Scholastic Decoding the News Daily Lessons in Media Bias (Randi’s product) Instagram accounts: @sharonsayso @allsidesnow @groundsnews @smarthernews You can find Randi at Peanut […]
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129: Digital Resources for Learning Geography These are the digital resources for learning geography mentioned in this episode: 1. World Atlas 2. Youtube and streaming services. Look for 360 degree videos and drone videos on Youtube. 2. Online Geography Games Listen to my previous episode on Free Online Geography Games Purpose Games Action Quiz Stack […]
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128: “Is this okay?” How to know if a game or app is safe for your child with Lisa Honold Guest Lisa Honald provides guidelines in this episode to help us decide if a game or app is safe for our child. Lisa is a cyber safety educator and director of the Center for Online […]
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127: Online Poetry Resources This episode is about online poetry resources for poetry appreciation and to teach students how to write poetry. Here are the resources mentioned in this episode. Online Resources for Poetry Appreciation Poetry 180 – one poem for 180 days of the year and poets read favorite poems and talk about them […]
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126: How to modify online curriculum for special needs students: Part 2 Guest Lindsay Leiviska explains how to modify online curriculum for special needs students. You can find Lindsay online at A Heart For All Students. Her podcast is also called “A Heart for All Students”. Be sure to listen to part 1 first if […]
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125: How to modify online curriculum for special needs students: Part 1 Guest Lindsay Leiviska explains how to modify online curriculum for special needs students. You can find Lindsay online at A Heart For All Students. Her podcast is also called “A Heart for All Students”. Variables to Consider: Time: Short lessons (less is more) […]
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124: Teach your children about their digital footprints It is important that you teach your children about their digital footprints from an early age. The resources I mention in this episode are: A lesson plan from code.org – especially the “Follow the Digital Trail” assignment which uses a story to teach the concept to younger […]
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123: Free Online Typing Programs with Charlene Hess Guest Charlene Hess from Hess Un-Academy shares with us which free online typing programs worked for her children. Be sure to also listen to the other interview I did with Charlene some time ago when we talked about Learning History Through Video Games. In this episode, Charlene […]
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122: Take Time to Save Time with Tech In this episode, I talk about how to save time with tech. I discuss 2 aspects: 1. Taking time to select the correct software to use 2. Taking time to learn how to use the software Specific resources I mention in this episode are Evernote Trello Canvas […]
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121: Pros and Cons of Virtual Tutoring with Lea Bosse In this episode, guest Lea Bosse discusses the pros and cons of virtual tutoring. Lea has been doing ACT tutoring for years, and during the pandemic switched to primarily tutoring virtually. You can find her tutoring sessions on FundaFunda Academy. These are the questions Lea […]
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120: Fitness apps and websites for your homeschool Here are the fitness apps and websites mentioned in this episode to get you and your children moving and exercising. For brain breaks and active indoor fun GoNoodle – animated movies to dance and sing to Sworkit – workouts you choose the age range, length etx Other […]
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119: Podcasts for Homeschool Families Sarah Snyder is our guest in this episode on Podcasts for Homeschool Families. She was the guest on the second most popular episode of this podcast last year, Podcasts for kids of all ages, so be sure to listen to that one if you haven’t already. Sarah now has her […]
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118: Free Digital Resources for Black History Month There are so many great digital resources for Black History month, so I decided just to primarily share ones with you that I actually use in my own classes. These are the sites I mention where one can find many primary resources related to Black History. Library […]
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117: Tips for completing online scholarship applications Guest, Monica Matthews, shares tips for completing online scholarship applications that will help students be successful. Monica has helped her own children and many many others win scholarships to college. Find Monica at her website, How 2 Win Scholarships, her Facebook page and her Facebook group, Scholarship Help […]
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116: Using digital timelines to study history Digital Timelines are a great way to help students see the flow of history in a visual way. Here are some ways to incorporate them into any history curriculum 1. Include Interactive Timelines of the periods you are studying 2. Get students to create digital timelines. These 4 […]
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115: Online Comic Strip Creators In this episode, I share with you some free online comic strip creators, and I give you ideas on how to incorporate them into your homeschool lessons. 1. Makebeliefs Comix Makebeliefscomix.com is easy to use. Just drag and drop elements into the frames. It has limited graphics but is a […]
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114: Academic Integrity in Online Classes In this episode, Suzette Laporte-Ayo and Dr. Dana Underwood, FundaFunda Academy‘s Spanish and Biology teachers, join Meryl to discuss the problem of academic integrity in online classes. Suzette has also been the guest on episode 25 where she shared how to use Quizlet to learn foreign language vocabulary. Dana […]
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113: Fun with Flippity Flippity is a free online resource that offers 25 different activities, most are games. Some can be played online, others allow you to create a pdf for offline fun. The games use data from Google Sheets (that you input to customize each game). Flippity gives you the option to try out […]
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This is a rerun of episode 42 which covers 4 Free Online History Games. I know many listeners are looking for free online games so enjoy! You can find the show notes on the original episode here. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a […]
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If you are looking for some new fun educational activities for your children in the new year, ClassTools is a great place to go. Listen to this replay as I tell you how I like to use some of the tools. The original episode and the show notes can be found here. If you enjoyed […]
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112: Virtual Gift Ideas for Homeschooling Families If you are looking for a last-minute gift, these virtual gift ideas will help you out. 1. DIY Virtual Gifts – listen to our previous episode for ideas. Show sponsor FundaFunda Academy has a unit study to guide your children through creating digital gifts – you can find […]
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111: Everybody code for one hour this week! It’s time for the Hour of Code again – and in this episode, everyone is encouraged to code for one hour! It doesn’t matter when you listen – the activities will be available free for you to try. You can find all the Hour of Code activities […]
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110: Digital Gifts Your Children Can Create These are the 8 ideas for digital gifts your children can create that are mentioned in this podcast. 1. Create a video game with Scratch (show host FundaFunda Academy has a Christmas contest that includes basic Scratch tutorials as well as longer Scratch classes) 2. Flippity.net has lots […]
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With the holiday season coming up, this seemed like a good time to rerun episode 42 which covers Online Tools for Photography. Our guest is Piers van der Merwe. I hope these tools come in useful! You can find the show notes on the original episode here.
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109: Using Tech in your Early Elementary Homeschooling Journey with Tiffany Aguirre Our guest in this episode is Tiffany Aguirre from Life With Many Blessings. Tiffany shares how she is using tech in early elementary homeschooling. Here is the list of different apps and websites Tiffany talks about: Allowance & Chores Bot Sound It Out […]
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108: Online Grammar Games This year I have put together an online Writing Fun class for middle schoolers and decided to add online grammar games to each week’s work.These are ones I found that are worth sharing with your elementary and middle school children. Madtakes – an online version of Madlibs Brainpop – Most of […]
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107: Teach your Children about Phishing Everyone with an email address and a phone is regularly affected by phishing attempts, and in this episode, I give some tips on how to teach your children about phishing. My first suggestion is that when you receive a phishing attempt by email or phone, you show your children […]
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106: Preparing our children for jobs of the future As we homeschool, we do have to consider if we are preparing our children for jobs of the future and that is what we consider in this episode. Some of the ideas mentioned are: 1. Will the job still exist – and if so, will it […]
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105: Online Resources for Creative Writing with Ayanna Murray Ayanna Murray is the guest in this episode and she shares her favorite online resources for creative writing. Ayanna is an author herself and she shares how she taught her children to enjoy and excel at creative writing. You can learn about Ayanna at her website […]
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104: Creative Ways to Use Tech for Foreign Language Learning This episode explains some creative ways to use tech for foreign language learning. This is not about apps and websites to teach a language, but rather on how to use tech to allow you to practice what you are learning in a natural way. The […]
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103: Using Youtube in your Homeschool This episode covers a number of tools that can help you when you are using Youtube in your homeschool. Listen to the episode which explains these in more detail. 1. Use Filters when you search on Youtube to find videos that meet your needs 2. Playlists – a useful […]
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Episode 102: How to use Google Lens in your homeschool with Dr. Kristin Moon Today’s interview is with Kristin Moon from Kristin Moon Science and she explains what Google Lens is and how to Use Google Lens in your homeschool. You can also follow her on Facebook Dr. Moon teaches Chemistry for show sponsor FundaFunda […]
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Episode 101: Moving and Creating with Minecraft Earth Minecraft Earth is an augmented reality app that could be described as a cross between Minecraft and Pokemon GO. It gets students moving because they have to move to collect resources and it gets them creating as they build their own worlds. Students can not only build, […]
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Episode 100: 100 Free Digital Resources for Homeschool Families This is the 100th episode of the podcast and to celebrate I created a document that lists 100 free digital resources for homeschool families. Some of the items on the list have paid versions as well as free, but the free version is enough to be […]
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99: Online Election Resources For Students With the upcoming election, this seems to be a good time to talk about online election resources for students. iCivics Lots of teacher resources Also games – Win the White House, Cast your Vote Scholastic Race to 270 – simulation that teaches about the electoral college The Issues – […]
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98: Digital Resources for Music Appreciation Our guest in this episode is Gena Mayo who blogs about many topics (including homeschooling and fashion) at I Choose Joy specifically about music and homeschooling at Music in Our Homeschool. Digital Resources for Music Appreciation For All Ages Philharmonia.co.uk This orchestra provides live (online through YouTube during the […]
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97: Profile of a Successful Online Learner So many students in high school and college are now learning online, and they don’t always know how to navigate and excel in a different environment to the physical classroom. As I have been teaching online for many years now, I hope this episode helps those of you […]
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96: Online Forensic Science Resources Our guest in this episode is Emily Boyle and she shares with us online forensic science resources. Emily coaches Crime Busters and Forensics for a homeschool Science Olympiad team and she teaches Forensic Science to high schoolers at FundaFunda Academy. These are the resources Emily mentions: Science News has a […]
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95: Online Tools to learn about the Stock Market In this episode, the following online stock market resources are mentioned: 1. TED ED talk How does the Stock Market work? 2. Stock Market rap song 3. Quizlet and Quizizz are good websites to use to teach students the basic terms in a fun way. 4. […]
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94: Online Classes and Costs When you consider online classes and their costs, you need to remember that you usually get what you pay for. Free online classes will expect parents to grade and may not be as in-depth as paid classes. Low-cost online classes are usually self-paced with automatic grading (ie assignments are quizzes) […]
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93: A year-round virtual curriculum fair Our guest in this episode is Heather Bowen from Mom for All Seasons and in this interview you can learn about the year-round virtual curriculum fair she has created. This virtual curriculum fair allows you to find curricula based on age, subject, type of curriculum, and worldview. It is […]
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92: The role of tech with special needs students Our guest in this episode is Peggy Ployhar, founder/CEO of SPED Homeschool, and she is going to share with us about using tech with special needs students. Peggy has a wealth of wisdom to share, and you will need to listen to this episode to get […]
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91: How your teens can build their own computer August Smith, who is now studying to be a Mechanical Engineer is our guest and explains how your teens can build their own computer – because it is something he did as a high school student. August has been a student at, and then a teaching […]
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90: How to make virtual field trips engaging In this episode, our guest, Shannan Swindler, shares how to make virtual field trips engaging. Shannan’s home base is in Scotland, where she and her husband homeschool their two kids (ages 11 & 15) and they learn on location throughout Europe as much as possible. She is […]
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89: Creating Electives with Online Resources In this episode, I first explain why I believe homeschoolers should add electives for high school and then I dive into the topic – creating electives with online resources Find content for electives in the following places: Great Courses Your public library’s online resources eg Lynda, documentaries MOOCs Youtube […]
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Special replay from Homeschooling with Technology: If you are buying or selling curriculum online this summer, here are some tips to help you.
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88: Online Resources to make Science Engaging In this episode, show sponsor, FundaFunda‘s science teachers share some of their favorite online resources to make science more engaging. Heather Fulghum (Ecology and Earth Science teacher) mentions these resources For Water Quality – virtualbiologylab.org Jeopardy labs Pokemon go lab – listen for the explanation! Dr. Dana Underwood […]
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87: Online Resources to Teach Kids about Racism In this episode, I share some online resources to teach kids about racism. All the websites I refer to are linked below. Resources to help parents know how to talk about racism National Museum of African American History and Culture has a section “Talking About Race.” Be […]
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86: Digital Games That Teach Problem Solving Tara Walker is our guest and she shares with us some digital games that teach problem-solving. Tara Walker is completing her Ph.D. in the College of Media, Communication and Information at the University of Colorado Boulder in Media Research and Practice. Her research focuses on mental illness and […]
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85: Virtual Travel If your travel plans have been disrupted, then consider virtual travel. Start by going to Google Earth and you can either search for a place, use the Voyager button on the left, or the one “I am feeling lucky” to get taken to a random place. Once there drag the pegman to […]
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84: Evernote online filing system with Rachel van der Merwe The guest for this episode is Rachel van der Merwe, a Ph.D. candidate in media studies at the University of Colorado Boulder. Rachel has four years of teaching experience at the undergraduate level and currently teaches the upper-level course Media and Popular Culture for CU […]
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83: Free Quiz Creation Tools Free quiz creation tools can be used to create quizzes for your children to take OR if your children are old enough, you can get them to create the quiz as a way of learning or revising material you are studying. These are the tools mentioned in this episode. Listen […]
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82: Podcasts for Kids of All Ages Sarah Miller-Snyder from Podcastliving.com is our guest to share with us her knowledge about podcasts for kids and teens. I met Sarah in my Facebook group, Homeschooling College-bound Teens. You are welcome to join us there too! And visit show sponsor FundaFunda Academy to see if any of […]
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81: 6 easy ways to integrate technology into your homeschool Here are 6 easy ways to integrate technology into your homeschool. Don’t try to do them all at once – just try implementing one way first and then add as you go. 1. Daily Schedule Ideas for ways to do that: Google Sheets Trello 2. […]
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80: Creative Ways to use Zoom If you have 8th – 12th graders, don’t miss the annual High School Challenge from show sponsor FundaFunda Academy. High schoolers can win gift cards and money while completing challenges that teach them about being prepared for college. Tips on using Zoom You can mute other people in the […]
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79: Online income opportunities for homeschool moms with Bekki Sayler, Abby Banks, and Lea Bosse In this episode, my 3 guests each explain different online income opportunities they are currently using. All have low start-up costs and should be doable for most homeschool moms. 1. Printables with Bekki Sayler You can find Bekki at A […]
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78: Virtual Community Service Opportunities The coronavirus and social distancing have made it harder for our children to be involved in community service projects, but thankfully there are still many virtual community service opportunities. Students should keep records of the community service they do as it will help them win scholarships and look impressive to […]
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77: Virtual Labs with Dr Kristin Moon Our guest is Dr Kristin Moon from Kristin Moon Science . You can find her on Facebook too. Dr. Moon teaches Chemistry for show sponsor FundaFunda Academy and Biology at True North Homeschool Academy. Be sure to listen to our other interview with her where she talks about […]
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76: Using Technology to Alleviate Cabin Fever Here are 3 resources show sponsor FundaFunda Academy is offering that will help you! 30 days of educational activities for elementary school – 5 activities per day all laid out for you! High School Challenge – a mini college prep class where students can win cash and gift […]
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Episode 75: Online Resources to Teach about the Coronavirus In this episode, you will learn about some free resources to help you understand the coronavirus and teach your kids about it. If you haven’t already listened to episode 58 How to Teach your Kids to Identify Fake News, I suggest you listen to it. In […]
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Episode 74: Communication Tools for your Homeschool Here are the 5 communication tools mentioned in this episode. Listen to the episode to hear more about them. All these are free or have a free version that is all you are likely to need. 1. GroupMe Use the GroupMe app when you need to communicate with […]
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Episode 73: Project Based Learning Techie Style What is Project-Based Learning? Project-Based Learning is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects. From pblworks.org In the episode, I explain in more detail what PBL is, and I provide some examples. in addition to the examples I mention, […]
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Episode 72: Free Tools to Create Slideshows In this episode, I talk about the following free tools to create slideshows. Listen to the episode for more detail about each of them. Powerpoint / Keynote Macs come with Keynote and many PCs will have Powerpoint on them when you buy them. These are both very powerful […]
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71: Virtual Field Trips In this episode, I talk to Jayda Justus, aka The History Mom about virtual field trips. Jayda is a writer and blogger at The History Mom, where she reviews historical sites and experiences for families. These reviews provide helpful tips and reading lists to enhance visits for children and families and […]
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70: Free Online Vocabulary Games Here are the free online vocabulary games mentioned in this episode. Listen to the episode to learn about each one. 1. Vocabulary Spelling City Vocabulary Spelling City is for students up to middle school and includes games like Hangmouse, a version of Hangman. 2. Knoword Knoword is for teens […]
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69: Digital Portfolios These are the tools to create digital portfolios discussed in this episode. 1. Padlet Padlet is like a giant pinboard and makes it easy to pin graphics, videos, and text. 2. Google slides Google Slides allows one to scroll through slides to view students’ work. 3. Seesaw Seesaw is an website […]
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68: Homeschool Moms Can Be Gamers Don’t imagine gamers as teen boys who play first-person shooter games and one has to drag away from the computer. That’s a stereotype – homeschool moms can be gamers! Merriam-Webster defines a gamer as ” a person who plays games especially : a person who regularly plays computer […]
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67: Apps and websites to help students access reading materials and educational videos with Dr. Monica Burns In this episode, we welcome Dr. Monica Burns to share her favorite apps and websites to help students access reading materials. Dr. Monica Burns is an EdTech and Curriculum consultant, author and former New York City public […]
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66: Digital to-do lists for you and your children Although there is nothing wrong with using paper “to-do” lists, digital to-do lists can be so much more convenient and flexible. Using them can help you and your children organize your lives. Here are 3 different options to consider using: 1. Notes on your phone […]
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65: Free Online Anatomy Games Here are the online anatomy games mentioned in the podcast.These games were shared with me by the authors of 3 of FundaFunda Academy’s anatomy unit studies. And right now until 15th January, you can get 50% off all their regular-priced web-based unit studies with code JAN2020 Golden Hour Game […]
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64: New Years Resolutions for digital habits The beginning of a new year is a good time to reflect on our lives – including our digital habits. Here are some ideas for New Years Resolutions for Digital Habits. Bad tech habits we can change Track your online time for a week to see where […]
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This is a replay of episode 13. You can find the show notes here
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This is a replay of episode 12. You can find the show notes here
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63: Planning the Holidays with Tech Here are some ideas for planning the holidays with tech Gifts I covered the topic in detail in Episode 10: Christmas Shopping the Techie Way You might also find this blog post about using Trello for gift shopping helpful. Google Calendar Use Google Calendar to keep […]
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62: Participate in the Hour of Code The Hour of Code will be held during the week of 9 – 15 December 2019, BUT you can participate in the activities any time during the year. The goal is not to learn to code, but to learn what coding is and that coding is fun […]
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This is a replay of episode 9. You can find the show notes here
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Episode 61: Online Educational Thanksgiving Activities Here are the online educational Thanksgiving activities mentioned in this episode. Be sure to listen to learn more about each one. Before you start, spend some time getting to understand what the first Thanksgiving was really like from sources like this one online and the book, Lies my Teacher […]
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Episode 60: Teaching Kids Soft Skills for Digital Communication – interview with Lisa Nehring Lisa Nehring from True North Homeschool Academy and the Soft Skills 101 podcast is the guest on today’s show. She shares with us some of the soft skills for digital communication we need to teach our children. Learn more about the […]
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Episode 59: Online Personal Finance games and interactive activities Online personal finance games and interactive activities give teens the opportunity to practice their financial literacy skills. Here are the websites mentioned in this episode: 1. Online Insurance Games Playinsure.com offers 2 games – one for home insurance and one for auto insurance. For both, you […]
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Episode 58: How to teach your kids to identify fake news In this episode, I suggest a number of ways for you to teach your kids to identify fake news. To start, it would be useful to listen to this Planet Money episode, Finding the Fake News King, in which they trace a piece of […]
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Episode 57: Teaching Kids about Copyright and Plagiarism Are you teaching your kids about copyright and plagiarism? Too many students in my online classes are routinely plagiarising and breaking copyright. I don’t think many realize that what they are doing is wrong. Copyright Be sure to explain to your children that unless the project they […]
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Episode 56:Learning History through Video Games with Charlene Hess Charlene Hess of Hess Un-Academy joins me in this episode as we talk about learning history through video games. Be sure to visit her Facebook page. When my children were young we all enjoyed playing Orgeon Trail together. Oregon Trail is seen as the first educational […]
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Episode 55: How much screentime for your children? My previous episode on Homeschooling Digital Natives gives context to this episode so if you haven’t listened to it yet, you might it helpful as you consider the question, “How much screentime for your children?” I suggest you look for balance and to help you, here are […]
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Episode 54: Homeschooling Digital Natives Most of you are digital immigrants homeschooling digital natives. In 2001 Mark Prensky coined the terms “digital natives” and “digital immigrants”. ‘Digital Native’ is used to describe someone born in the digital era. ‘Digital Immigrant’ is used to describe someone born before the digital era. This comic created by Adam […]
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Episode 53: Why homeschool moms need to be tech-savvy with Felice Gerwitz It’s our one year birthday!! Before we talk about “Why Homeschool Moms Need to be Tech-Savvy” let’s talk about birthday gifts! If you find this podcast useful, the best gift you can give us is a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or […]
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Episode 52: Using Technology to Eat Healthy with Debbie Hanyon In this episode, Debbie Hanyon from Homeschooling Dietitian Mom, joins us to share how she uses technology to eat healthy. Debbie is a homeschool mom and she has a number of resources on her website other homeschool moms will find helpful. Take a special look […]
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Episode 51: Free Website Creation Tools Why is it a good idea to teach students to create websites? Useful skill Can be used for community service- 4-H group, Lego League Team, homeschool support group If they start a business they will need one Digital portfolios As a way to share what they are learning instead […]
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Episode 50: How to Create Online Choose Your Own Adventure Games Here are 3 different resources students can use to create online choose-your-own-adventure games. 1. Text Adventures 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 […]
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Episode 49: PHET Science Simulations with Kristin Moon 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. Why use simulations Simulations allow students to have a concrete idea of concepts that are difficult to explain. What are PHET simulations They […]
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Episode 48: Web-based Unit Studies Web-based unit studies are NOT simply pdfs instead of physical books, but rather interactive and accessed through an online classroom. What are web-based unit studies? mini online self-paced classes make use of online resources eg videos, interactive websites, online games, audio, infographics have online projects where the students use digital […]
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Episode 47: Fanschool – bringing the fun of fantasy sports to education with Eric Nelson 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. Fanschool Games You can find […]
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Episode 46: Using technology to improve writing 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 […]
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Episode 45: Free online government and civics games These are the free online government and civics games mentioned in this episode. Most of them are geared to middle and high school students but elementary students can enjoy some of them too. 1. The American Presidency – match actual events from Trumans day with 7 […]
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Episode 44: Online resources to help you select curriculum 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 […]
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Episode 43: Unplugged Coding with Sandra Balisky 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 […]
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Episode 42: Online Tools for Photography with Piers van der Merwe 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. 1. Editing Tools Google and Apple […]
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Episode 41: Explore cities with digital scavenger hunts 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 […]
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Episode 40: How teens can start a podcast with Abby Banks Be sure to join our Facebook group where we carry on the discussion about Homeschooling with Technology. Today’s guest is Abby Banks from Making Room for One More. She is also the host of the Homeschool with Moxie podcast. Abby explains how teens […]
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Episode 39: Ways teens can make money online Be sure to join our Facebook group where we carry on the discussion about Homeschooling with Technology. Today’s guest is Abby Banks from Making Room for One More. She is also the host of the Homeschool with Moxie podcast. She will be drawing on her own […]
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Episode 38: Geocaching – Technology meets nature Be sure to join our Facebook group where we carry on the discussion about Homeschooling with Technology. Geocaching is a fun “treasure” hunt in nature to find hidden caches using GPS and your eyes 🙂 Go to the official Geocaching website and there you will find links […]
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Episode 37: Programming with Scratch In episode 11, I covered ways to introduce your children to programming. One of those ways was Scratch, and in this episode, I will go into more detail about programming with Scratch. What is Scratch? Scratch was created by a team at MIT to be an accessible way for […]
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Episode 36: Tips for buying and selling curriculum online If you are buying or selling curriculum online this summer, here are some tips to help you. And be sure to join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast. We will carry on the conversation there. Some places to buy and sell […]
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Episode 35: Using technology to study history with Vicki Tillman Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast. My guest today is Vicki Tillman. She is a fellow podshow host and you can listen to her on The Homeschool Highschool Podcast. She develops curriculum and is a homeschool coach at 7 […]
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Episode 34: 4-H and Technology 4-H started over 100 years ago. According to the 4-H website the goal of 4-H is to “help young people and their families gain the skills needed to be proactive forces in their communities and develop ideas for a more innovative economy”. Although 4-H started as an agricultural youth […]
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Episode 33: How your children can learn digital art with Jim Pence Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast Be sure to visit our sponsor, FundaFunda Academy‘s website and take a look at their Visual Literacy online class for high school. This provides a 1/2 credit as an Art elective […]
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Episode 32: MOOCs – how to use them for yourself and your teens Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast And visit our sponsor FundaFunda Academy to see the classes they are offering for high school credit this summer. MOOC = Massive Open Online Courses The start of MOOCs is […]
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Episode 31: Technology and Travel Planning with Your Children Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast And visit our sponsor FundaFunda Academy to see the classes they are offering for high school credit this summer. Intro the Theatre is a lot of fun. Students learn not just about acting but […]
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Episode 30: Online Tools to Help Teens Study Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! And visit our sponsor FundaFunda Academy to see the classes they are offering for high school credit this summer. Photography is one class that is ideal to take over the summer when there are plenty of […]
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Episode 29: 4 Free Online History games Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! And visit our sponsor FundaFunda Academy to see the web-based unit studies and full semester classes they offer. They also have options for summer learning! Many of their classes incorporate games like the ones discussed in this […]
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Episode 28: Using Google MyMaps for Techie Projects Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! And visit our sponsor FundaFunda Academy to see the web-based unit studies and full semester classes they offer. They also have options for summer learning! Google MyMaps allows you to customize a Google map. Start by […]
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Episode 27: Homeschooling with Google Maps Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! And visit our sponsor FundaFunda Academy to see the web-based unit studies and full semester classes they offer. How to use Google Maps in your Homeschool 1. Let your children navigate using the app. It teaches them to […]
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Episode 26: Online communication skills your children need to learn Looking for online classes for the new year for your children? Take a look at what our sponsor, FundaFunda Academy has to offer. 1. Start teaching them these skills early They should choose their email username carefully They should get in the habit of checking […]
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Episode 25: How to use Quizlet to learn foreign language vocabulary with Suzette Laporte-Ayo Quizlet is a free online resource and app that has quizzes and games for many different subjects. In this podcast, Suzette Laporte-Ayo, Spanish teacher at FundaFunda Academy, explains her unique way of using Quizlet for Spanish vocabulary study. Her method will […]
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Episode 24: How to select online classes for your children 1. Cost you get what you pay for (live classes, graded classes will cost more) refund policies? 2. Synchronous / Asynchronous Synchronous classes are usually live and students watch a live stream. Good for students who like structure. Example: True North Homeschool Academy. Asynchronous classes […]
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Episode 23: 5 Ways homeschool parents can use Trello with Brittany Joiner Our guest in today’s show is Brittany Joiner. She is a self-confessed Trello enthusiast who in her spare time organizes local Trello events and blogs for Trello. Link on Trello’s blog to Brittany and her articles Find local meetups of Trello enthusiasts near […]
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Episode 22: Techie Alternatives to Written Reports Benefits to using techie alternatives to written reports Although students definitely need to know how to do a written book report or research paper, there are other ways to see what your child has learned. And there are benefits to mixing it up. 3 major benefits: techie assignments […]
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Episode 21: Free Graphic Creation Tools The free tools mentioned in this episode are: Canva (Hear the story of how this software came about on How I Built this with Guy Raz) Adobe Spark Google Drawings Pixlr (photo editor) Easel.ly (infographics) Find free icons to use in your graphics projects at The Noun Project. Show […]
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Episode 20: Free Video Creation Tools The free tools mentioned in this episode are: Windows Moviemaker / iMovie, if they are already installed on a computer Keynote and Powerpoint, if they are already installed on a computer, can be exported as a movie file Adobe Spark Video Example from a FundaFunda Academy US History class […]
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Episode 19: How tech can help you homeschool when you travel Modern technology makes it far easier to homeschooling when you travel than it was for me when we traveled around the world about 11 years ago with our 4 children. What devices are good for traveling and homeschooling? Chromebooks – take a flash drive […]
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Episode 18: Tech skills teens need before they graduate 1. Computer basics Saving / Copying / Uploading files How to take a screenshot Typing skills Troubleshooting 2. Familiarity with different types of software Slideshow (Google Slides, Prezi) Documents (Google Docs, Word) Spreadsheets (Google Sheets / Excel) Video creation (iMovie, Windows Moviemaker, screencasting software) Graphic creation […]
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Episode 17: Classtools – Online Educational Fun In today’s episode we will explore some of the fun resources on the website Classtools. Our sponsor, FundaFunda Academy enjoys using the free Classtools resources in many of their online classes and web-based unit studies. Resources for creative assignments Fakebook – create a “fake” book page complete with […]
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Episode 16: Free Online Geography Games Our sponsor, FundaFunda Academy offers online high school world geography classes as well as web-based unit studies for 4th – 8th grade on North America, South America, and Poland. In addition, they sell inexpensive Geography printable games. Here are the 6 free online geography games mentioned in this episode: […]
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Episode 15: Finding, tracking and winning scholarships 1. Finding Scholarships * Use Scholarship Search Engines My favorite scholarship search engines: Unigo Moolah Spot The University Network Other scholarship search engines: Peterson’s, Fastweb, Cappex, Collegeboard, Scholarships.com * Scholly App * Local school websites * Google search – “scholarship” + major / hobby / achievement etc * […]
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Episode 14: Digital Breakouts —> Check out our sponsor, FundaFunda Academy‘s classes and web-based unit studies for Spring 2019. What are Digital Breakouts? They are similar to Escape Rooms – just all online! Instead of physical locks, the locks are virtual and you enter the solutions via Google forms. The puzzles are online: videos, jigsaw […]
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Episode 13: Techie Family Fun —> Check out our sponsor, FundaFunda Academy’s web-based unit studies and online high school classes. They all utilize technology to enhance the lessons and also include techie projects. These games allow your kids to be on their devices – but still participating in family games. “Guess the song” Use Alexa […]
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Episode 12: Tech Toys and Games —> Check out our sponsor, FundaFunda Academy’s Scratch Christmas Coding Contest. This contest is for those who can’t program in Scratch yet, as well as for those who can. There are 2 different divisions, and new programmers can learn along with video tutorials as part of their entrance fee […]
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Episode 11: How to introduce your kids to programming Why is it necessary for children to learn to code? 1. This is where the future lies. “Career track” jobs which need coding skills pay $22,000 per year more than jobs that don’t. Half of the jobs in the top income quartile (>$57,000 per year) are […]
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Episode 10: Christmas Shopping the Techie Way 1. Throughout the year collect ideas in Evernote 2. Get your family to create wishlists (Pinterest, Amazon, Google docs/sheets) 3. If you need more ideas Pinterest Searching with specific keywords eg “Gifts for Horse lovers” Blogs: for example, our sponsor Fundafunda Academy has a post on 25 Fun […]
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Episode 9: 10 Techie Tools I Am Grateful For 1. Offline maps I usually use Google maps, select the area and download. 2. Portable Charger Here’s the one I use: EasyAcc Slim 10000 mAh Power Bank 3. Podcasts One of my favorites is Planet Money. If you are listening to this online and don’t know […]
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Episode 8: 5 Techie Ways to Organize your Homeschool 1. Google Drive Google Drive is an online filing system. Listen to episodes 2, 3 and 4 for more detail on how to use it to organize your homeschool Our sponsor, FundaFunda Academy offers 2 classes that teach about Google Drive and the associated apps. They […]
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Episode 7: Homeschooling with Google Slides Google Slides offers all benefits of Google Drive apps like easy collaboration and access anywhere you have wifi. Listen to episode 2 on Google Drive for more info on all the Google Drive apps. Some features of Google Slides Google Drive does have fewer features than many of the […]
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Episode 6: Homeschooling with Google Forms Google Forms is great for moms (and dads) to use it to create self-graded quizzes and for surveys. You could use it to collect responses to questions like “what field trip your homeschool group might most want to go on”, and “which date works best”. But it is even […]
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Episode 5: A Techie History Contest National History Day is one of my favorite contests because it combines 2 things I love – history and technology. Our show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy also combines these two in their web-based unit studies on World War 2. These are delivered online, use online resources and incorporate techie […]
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Episode 4: Homeschooling with Google Docs If you are new to Google Drive be sure to listen to episodes 2 (Homeschooling with Google Drive) and 3 (Homeschooling with Google Sheets) which will give some context to what is covered in this episode – Homeschooling with Google Docs. Google Docs is a spreadsheet program and […]
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Episode 3: Homeschooling with Google Sheets Google Sheets is one of the Google Drive apps and if you aren’t familiar with all the benefits of those apps, listen to my previous episode. In this episode, you will learn some of the applications for Google sheets in your homeschool. Google Sheets is more limited than many […]
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Episode 2: Homeschooling with Google Drive In this episode, you will learn what Google Drive is, why you should be using it and how to use it in your homeschool. What is Google Drive? Google Drive is essentially an online filing system. In addition, it is integrated with a number of apps which makes […]
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Welcome to episode 1 of the Homeschooling with Technology podcast. My name is Meryl van der Merwe and I am a South African. My father bought us a personal computer when I was a teen and I both gamed on it and learned to program. I went to college to get a B.A. but during […]
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Whether you love technology or are “tech-challenged” – the Homeschooling with Technology podcast is for you! Technology can help you run your homeschool more efficiently, make lessons more engaging and keep you connected to what is happening all over the world. When your children graduate from your homeschool, they will be launched into an every-changing techie […]
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