The Technological Homeschool

The topic for this week's Blog Cruise is: Using Technology in the Homeschool.

We've always used some form of technology in our home school, but I'll be the first to admit that it really has evolved over the past several years!

From the beginning, we have used videos very frequently as part of our homeschooling adventures. Videos from the library; videos through Netflix; and we have even purchased a few! <big wink>

Then we added the computer in to the "mix." At first, I used it mostly as an online support, connecting with other homeschoolers. I learned about CurrClick (although it wasn't called that, at first), where I can go and purchase oodles of inexpensive pdf goodies. I've also picked up a ton of freebies through CurrClick!

Eventually I was introduced to the Schoolhouse Review Crew! The things I have been introduced through the Crew have been unbelievable!

Online programs, like: Speekee; BigIQKids; Reading Eggs; and Kinderbach.

I cannot forget to mention all the technological gadgets various Crew members have introduced me to, like our mp3 players:

 

On our mp3 players, we've loaded audio books, like The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin, or James Herriot's books.

I saved up for quite awhile to purchase my own basic Kindle, then a Kindle Fire. I liked my Kindle Fire so much, I purchased one (with Tim's help) for Jen as a graduation present.

One of the best things about having a Kindle: I am able to find tons (literally) of free Kindle books, mostly through Amazon. Before I was even able to purchase a Kindle, I loaded the Kindle Reading App on to my computer, and began saving the free books into it.

The other day I loaded six McGuffey's Eclectic Readers onto my Kindle (and Little Bit's iPod, which was his birthday gift last summer), and a huge collection of G.A. Henty's books!

I suppose the children's favorite aspect of having a Kindle Fire or the iPod are the apps! And there are many educational ones available, such as: Eggy100 (by Reading Eggs); Spelling City; Kinderbach; WordSearch; and Little Bit's current favorite: Geoboard!

Don't tell, but I am hoping to be able to get a Kindle Fire for the Botanist Boy for his birthday/Christmas gift....with help from Jen and Tim, hopefully. Then he can have some apps, as well: The Oregon Trail: American Settlers; Periodic Table (yeah, he'll be excited about that one! LOL); Civil War Gazette; Hubble Space Telescope; and North American Trees.

Be sure to read how other Crew members are using technology in their homeschools. (Link goes live Tuesday, October 23, 2012)

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