Wired for Learning

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Okay, we humans are all wired for learning.  The brain is an amazing ‘machine’ which we have such a slight handle on operating.

But, that’s not the real focus of this particular blog post.

Instead, it’s time for the next TOS Blog Cruise.

The topic this time is: “Do you use technology (iPods, Computers, Videos, Digi. Cams,etc.) in your homeschool?”

Well, I’ll say ABSOLUTELY!

P just got an iPod and is starting to use it for reading books.  And, this mama will probably be investigating what useful apps he could upload.  Being new to that world, we don’t know much.

As for computers….well….we’ve just leased a laptop from our charter school to help better manage time as the boys all have things to do on the computer.  We also add in videos and audios to complement our studies.  And, the boys are chomping at the bit to ‘show off’ their learning through video creation.

What are they doing?  Read on to see how technology is being used for some of the major subjects the boys are studying.

MATH

P is using Teaching Textbooks for math this year.  The computer is used for pretty much all of it in Math 7 and he’ll continue watching lectures, etc. when he starts pre-algebra later this year.

All the boys have accounts with Mathletics and will most likely be getting ALEKS accounts through our charter school.  So, lots of math will be happening ON the computers.

P is also using the pre-algebra DVD set from Math Tutor DVD this year.  (Look for a review on this one next week!)

SCIENCE

We are all using Supercharged Science this year and will be logged onto the eScience pages watching demos of different experiments.  I just need to keep a close eye on our internet usage each month as there is no such thing as affordable, unlimited internet access up here in Alaska.  25 GB of data ‘transactions’ seems like a lot until you start streaming video.

Depending on the topic, we also supplement with videos from the library or online.

HISTORY

There are so many resources online (Netflix, specific stations, and others) for both audio and video that will help flesh out our modern era studies. 

LANGUAGE ARTS

The younger boys really enjoy Spelling City for review of words and will utilize that site throughout the school year.  They are also learning to use Microsoft Word (and eventually Publisher) to write up assignments. 

 

Of course, mom is also using the computer a lot to pull together their studies.  And, I use Homeschool Tracker Plus to keep track of all we do for posterity (and reporting required by the charter school.)

The other little ‘gadget’ that will most likely be making an appearance in our house this year is an eBook reader.   While you can read on the monitor all the great eBooks I’ve got stored on the desktop, it would be nice to have it portable.  At the moment, the Nook is the one we are most likely going to get.  Along with all the ebooks that are homeschooling related and living on my computer, we can even check out ebooks from the library and read them on the Nook.  Both Barnes and Noble and Amazon offer free ebooks of classics that you can download (and even just read on your computer if you don’t have a reader!)

Click on the Blog Cruise button if you want to check out what other TOS Homeschool Crewmates are saying on this topic.  I’m looking forward to seeing how everyone uses technology, especially while I try to maintain a balance of screen and non-screen time in the house.