Homeschooling with Technology

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 […] The post AI and Critical Thinking appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

345: Listener Favorites: Our Top 5 Most-Downloaded Episodes Revisited In 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 […] The post Listener Favorites: Our Top 5 Most-Downloaded Episodes Revisited appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

344: 12 Homeschool Tech Hacks In 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, […] The post 12 Homeschool Tech Hacks appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

343: New Ways to Use Canva for Homeschooling Canva 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 […] The post New Ways to Use Canva for Homeschooling appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

342: Building Worlds in Unreal Engine   In 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 […] The post Building Worlds in Unreal Engine appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

341: Using Google Translate in Your Homeschool Google 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 […] 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 […] The post Video Scholarship Tips appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

339: Online Hide and Seek Game 🎧 Prefer to Listen? Want the quick walkthrough? Listen to this episode while you plan your next online learning activity. New 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 […] The post Online Hide and Seek Game appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

338: Supporting Your Teen in Online Classes   Online 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 post Supporting Your Teen in Online Classes appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

337: Homeschool AI Hacks: How to Write Prompts That Work In 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 […] 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 Fun Are 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. 1. Story Dice Tool: Story Dice Description: Roll virtual icons and weave them into a story—great for melting the […] The post 10 Tech Tools to Make Writing Fun appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

335: How Homeschoolers Can Use Brisk AI In 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 […] The post How Homeschoolers Can Use Brisk AI appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

334: Creating an AI Policy for your Homeschool We 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 […] The post Creating an AI policy for your homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Episode 333: Using Media in Foreign Language Learning In 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 […] 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 […] The post Engineering Exploration at Home appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Episode 331: Scavenger Hunts That Bring Local History to Life In 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. […] The post Scavenger Hunts That Bring Local History to Life appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

330: How I Use AI to Kickstart Creativity Use 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 […] The post How I Use AI to Kickstart Creativity appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

329: Teaching Students to Navigate Social Media Teaching 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 Simoes, founder of CritiKid, a platform dedicated to teaching kids critical thinking. […] 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 Durham In 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 […] The post Useful Technology in Homeschooling Special Needs High Schoolers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

327: Fun group games to play online Whether 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 […] The post Fun group games to play online appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

326: Why Scratch is the Perfect First Programming Language to Learn In 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 […] The post Why Scratch is the Perfect First Programming Language to Learn appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Gamified Chess with Duolingo In 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 […] The post Gamified Chess with Duolingo appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

324: Free Online Curriculum In 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. 1. “All-in-One” Homeschool Curricula These comprehensive […] The post Free online curriculum appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

323: Innovative Ways to Use Google Talking Tours In 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 […] The post Innovative Ways to use Google Talking Tours appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

  This is a replay of episode 187. Go to that episode for the show notes.   The post Replay: How to use Movies in your Homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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, […] The post Online help for homeschool children with learning challenges appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

321: Why Math Should Be Fun In 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 […] The post Why Math Should Be Fun appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

  This is a replay of episode 127. Go to that episode for the show notes.     The post Replay: Online Poetry Resources appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

320: Virtual Vacation: Travel the World Without a Passport Summer 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 […] The post Virtual Vacation: Travel the World Without a Passport appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

319: Teaching Your Children How to Troubleshoot Tech We’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 […] 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. Constitution Do 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 Challengehttps://vickitillmancoaching.com/ […] The post Free Online Tools to Study the U.S. Constitution appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

317: Using Khan Academy in your Homeschool In 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 […] The post Using Khan Academy in your Homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

316: Gamify History with Mission US Games   In 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 […] The post Gamify History with Mission US Games appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

315: Google Arts and Culture Games In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, we dive into the interactive games and activities available through Google Arts & Culture. Resources Mentioned: Google Arts & Culture – Play Section   Key Highlights: Introduction to Google Arts & Culture Games: Overview of the “Play” section on the platform. How […] The post Google Arts and Culture Games appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

314: Google Arts and Culture Google 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 […] The post Google Arts and Culture appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

313: 3D Modeling with Blender: A Teen’s Perspective   In 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 […] The post 3D Modeling with Blender: A Teen’s Perspective appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

312: Using AI as a Study Tool In 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 […] The post Using AI as a Study Tool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

311: 3 Online Cybersecurity Games These 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: Gandalf Players try to trick Gandalf into revealing passwords across multiple levels Involves critical thinking and AI prompting skills […] The post 3 Online Cybersecurity Games appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

310: New Online Geography Games This 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. […] The post New Online Geography Games appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

309: Drawing Made Easy with Free Online Tools In 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 […] The post Drawing Made Easy with Free Online Tools appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

308:Navigating Digital Risks with Kid Safe GPT Kid 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 […] The post Navigating Digital Risks with Kid Safe GPT appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

307: Prompting 101: A Beginner’s Guide for Homeschoolers Today’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? […] The post Prompting 101: A Beginner’s Guide for Homeschoolers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

306: Getting started with AI in your homeschool Happy 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 […] The post Getting started with AI in your homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

305: Last Minute Digital Gift Ideas Forgotten 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 […] The post Last Minute Digital Gift Ideas appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

304: AI Assisted Holiday Planning and Prep This 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. 1. Creating a Detailed Schedule Demonstrated using ChatGPT Example prompt: Sharing entire holiday to-do list Benefits: Breaks down overwhelming tasks Creates day-by-day […] The post AI Assisted Holiday Planning and Prep appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

303: 2024 Hour of Code Highlights In 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 […] The post 2024 Hour of Code Highlights appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

302: Gaming Gift Ideas that Won’t Break the Bank Heidi 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 […] 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 Homeschoolers   This 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 […] 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 Bonuses Join 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 […] 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 homeschool Crystin 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 Skills Kristen outlines three foundational skills […] The post Pursuing tech literacy in your homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.