Homeschooling with Technology

298: Instagram’s New Teen Safety Features   Upcoming 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 […] The post Instagram’s New Teen Safety Features appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

297: AI-Powered Learning with Notebook LM In 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: What is Notebook LM? It is an AI-powered research tool available for free from Google. It’s built on the Gemini […] The post AI-Powered Learning with Notebook LM appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

296: 10 Good Ways for Students to Use AI   In 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 […] The post 10 Good Ways for Students to Use AI appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

295: 10 Bad Ways for Students to Use AI We 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 […] The post 10 Bad Ways for Students to Use AI appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

294: Online Contests for Students In 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 […] The post Online Contests for Students appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

293: Nearpod: The Homeschool Resource You Never Knew You Needed In 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 […] 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 Salesforce In 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 Points Introduction to Salesforce What […] The post Why Homeschool Parents and Teens Should Consider Remote Tech Careers in Salesforce appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

291: MathCounts   Meryl 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 […] The post MathCounts appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

290: Math Contests Revisited In 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 […] The post Math Contests Revisited appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

289: Create your own Digital Planner In 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. […] The post Create your own Digital Planner appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

288: Search and Research in the AI era In 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 […] The post Search and Research in the AI era appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

287: Bringing History to Life with Technology If your children find history boring, here are 8 ideas on bringing history to life with technology 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 […] The post Bringing History to Life with Technology appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

286: Essential Computer Skills for Students in 2024 What 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 […] The post Essential Computer Skills for Students in 2024 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

285: Class Companion: an AI Tool for improving writing This 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, […] 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 Curriculum These 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 […] The post YouTube Channels to Supplement Your Homeschool History Curriculum appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

283: Online Resources for Learning Computer Science Computer 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 […] The post Online Resources for Learning Computer Science appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

  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 […] The post Online Olympic Resources for Homeschoolers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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: An introductory high school English class focused on learning how to write academically and analyze classic and contemporary literature […] The post Is Writing Proficiency still important in the AI era? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

280: Board games that promote STEM skills Guest 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 […] The post Board games that promote STEM skills appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

279: The Fourth Industrial Revolution and your homeschool   This 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 […] The post The Fourth Industrial Revolution and your Homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

278: Learning with Micro:bit Guest 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 […] The post Learning with Micro:bit appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

277: Finding and Using Online Classes for Homeschooling Effectively In 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 […] The post Finding and Using Online Classes for Homeschooling Effectively appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

  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 Club   My 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: 1. Why did […] The post Making Math Fun: Building a Thriving Homeschool Math Club appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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 post Web Development for Homeschoolers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

274: Ethical AI Use for Scholarship Success Guest, 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 […] The post Ethical AI Use for Scholarship Success appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

273: Engaging online art history resources In 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 […] The post Engaging Online Art History Resources appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

  272: Vacation Planning with AI In 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 […] The post Vacation Planning with AI appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

271: Magic Student AI Tools This 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 […] The post Magic Student AI Tools appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

270: Magic School AI In 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 […] The post Magic School AI appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

269: Teen Podcasters Share Their Journey   In 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 […] The post Teen Podcasters Share Their Journey appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

268 : Importance of critical thinking skills in navigating social media Guest 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, […] The post Importance of critical thinking skills in navigating social media appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

267: Comparing AI Assistants In 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 […] The post Comparing AI Assistants appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

266:Teaching students to use Tinkercad     Robert 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? Children do not know what they […] The post Teaching students to use Tinkercad appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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 […] The post 10 Ways I am using AI in 2024 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

264: The Anton App: Interactive Lessons for Kids The 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 […] 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 […] The post Gamified Science Apps for Neurodiverse Brains appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

  262: Equipping your children for careers in an AI world   With 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 […] 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 […] The post Benefits of Video Projects appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

260: Unlocking the Power of Padlet In 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 post Unlocking the Power of Padlet appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

259: Duolingo Math DuoLingo 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 […] The post Duolingo Math appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

258: From Tech Consumer to Creator Ava 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 – […] The post From Tech Consumer to Tech Creator appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

257: 12 Tech Tools to try in your homeschool this year Start 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 […] The post 12 Tech Tools to try in your homeschool in 2024 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

256: Teaching Economics Through Online Games Economics 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 […] The post Teaching Economics Through Online Games appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

255: Kitchen Science with Randi Smith Randi 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 […] The post Kitchen Science appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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 gifts STEM 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 1. Hardware 2. Video Games 3. STEM Board Games 4. Engineering Toys * Mentioned: 30 Days […] The post Tech the Halls: STEM Christmas gifts appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

253: Hour of Code 2023 The 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 […] The post Hour of Code 2023 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

252: Ideas for Using New AI Tools in Canva Rebecca 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 […] The post Ideas for Using New AI Tools in Canva appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This is a replay of episode 159 – you can find the original show notes here. The post Replay: 10 Websites You Will Be Thankful I Told You About appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.