This month’s academic spotlight is on technology and computing. There’s no question that tech- nology plays an increasing role in our kids’ lives.
Technology can be a distraction, but it can also be a
useful tool. This month, we’ll be focusing on ways to
use technology and computing in positive ways in your
homeschool.
There are relatively few technology curricula avail-
able just yet, but there are many ways to incorporate
technology into your homeschool setting. Here are a
few suggestions:
•;Treat the Internet as your personal library—Any-
body with an Internet connection has instant access
to more information than major universities had
just a few years ago. Today’s skill isn’t about finding
information but rather discerning how reliable that
information is. Teach your kids how to determine
which sites are reliable, how to check various sources,
and how to verify the validity of an online claim.
•;Use online resources—There are some incredible
free courses online, including the Kahn Academy,
iTunesU, and
www.openculture.com/freeonline
courses. (Note that some of these are secular resources, so you’ll probably want to preview the
courses before using them, especially with younger
students.)
•;Utilize technology in a supporting role—If kids are
interested in technology, you can use that interest
to reinforce other studies. Use typing and email to
promote writing skills, an overseas email pen pal to
learn foreign languages, Google Earth for enhancing geography lessons, a presentation program to
create animated reports, or spreadsheets for business and science applications.
• Consider learning to program—Kids love video
games, but they’ll enjoy making them even more
(plus, you can have some control over the content if it’s being made on your computer in your
house). The article titled “Building Games and Animation With Scratch” by Andy Harris, found in this
May 2012 issue, introduces you and your children
to the basics of creating your own video games!
•;Computing can be a fun and useful addition to your
homeschool curriculum. With a little thought, you
can turn it into a blessing.
76;May;2012;•;Academic;Spotlight—Speaking;of;Compu
www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com
