| about the book |
| The most dangerous experiment we can conduct with our children is to keep schooling the same at a time when every other aspect of our society is dramatically changing. -- Chris Dede, written statement to the PCAST panel, 1997 |
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| Copyright 2005 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
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| Deep Thoughts for Homeschoolers |
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| The Homeschool Diner's Guide to Computer-based Instruction by Julie Shepherd Knapp, copyright 2006 According to the 2003 census, more than half of all US households own a computer. In some states, ownership is higher than 70%. It's no wonder that computer-based learning has become a popular choice for many homeschooling families. Whether using CD-Rom encyclopedias, word processing and other office tools, educational software, interactive CD-Rom worktexts, virtual academies, online video lectures, online textbooks, or online tutorials... computer-based learning plays a role in many homeschooling households. Computer-based learning, sometimes called "e-learning", can be used in combination with most other homeschooling methods. It is especially helpful to those who are "pulling together" their own curriculum, such as Eclectic and Self-Directed homeschoolers. Resourceful homeschool parents can find free online alternatives that rival most of the packaged homeschool curricula. And, with 98.9% of US public libraries offering free access to computers and the Internet (according to LibraryJournal. com, August 15, 2005) almost all homeschooling families have some access to Internet resources. Computer-based learning can be a good choice for families when children need to work independently and for older children who are studying higher-level materials. It is also a good choice for children with a visual learning style, for Game Based Learning, for Audio/Visual Learning, and for those who simply prefer a multi-media, high-tech, fast-paced learning environment. In addition, working on the computer can be helpful in homeschooling children with special needs, such as learning disabilities, vision impairment, communication impairment, and auditory processing disorders. Here is a website, MaMaMedia.com that helps parents learn how to share computer adventures with their children. Developed in conjunction with the MIT Media Lab, MaMaMedia has fun activities and games that parents can play with their children, and short webquests that will introduce them to Internet surfing. Click on "For Grown ups" at the bottom of the page, then click on "21st Century Learning" for tips on introducing your children to computers. Here are some homeschool curricula, both free and for purchase, that rely on computer-based instruction, and other resources for online learning. If your child enjoys learning on the computer, you may find other interesting resources listed within each school subject area of the Homeschooling by Subject section (especially in Audio/Visual and Independent Research selections for each subject). Also check the Distance Learning and School-at-Home sections for more online options. Before you allow your students to conduct any unsupervised Internet research -- please read this article! "Caution: The Internet is not Rated G" Curriculum Options and Other Resources: Switched on School House - (3 - 12) a CD-Rom version of the Alpha Omega Christain curriculum used in some private schools, 90% of school work is done on the computer thru interactive worktexts l Robinson Curriculum - K - 12 curriculum, all on CD-ROM, includes math, science, and reading, does not include history, geography, or foreign language Time4Learning -- (preK - 8) completely online, standards-aligned curriculum sold as a monthly subscription. Includes interactive, self-paced lessons, activities, printable worksheets, learning games, and assessments. Children may work at different levels in different subjects, text narration optional. Many families with special needs students find this flexibility helpful. The focus is on language arts and math with social studies and science provided as "bonus" items. Global Village School for Peace and Diversity Studies -- (K - 12) a progressive, customizable homeschool program using online worktexts and text-based curriculum, students may work at their own pace, accredited diplomas available, "...Our courses integrate peace, justice, and diversity studies with the core subjects..." Islamic Virtual School - free online activities and downloads for learning Arabic and Islamic practices 3D Learn Interactive Academy - an accredited private school offering a standards-alligned "multi- sensory 3-D curriculum" for grades 7-12, high tech interactive online environment - a virtual reality learning framework - that requires an estimated 4 - 5 hours online each day, plus additional at-home hands-on activities, offers full or part-time enrollment, boasts a 14:1 student to teacher ratio, issues accredited high school diplomas Fogware - standards-based (used in schools) software on CD_ROM, virtual textbook with interactive exercises and worksheets, tests. Complete curriculum for elementary, middle school, and high school Brain Pop - thousands of educational animated cartoon segments on topics in all subject areas, humorous and fast-paced, subscription-based, free trial available Mediasite.com - a search tool that helps you find free online expert presentations and lectures Discovery Learning Connections - over 30,000 educational video segments (search by topic) and "brain games", subscription-based, with a free 2 week free trial Explore Learning - a collection of short math and science leaning modules called "Gizmos" available thru subscription, free trial available MediaSite.com - this website has a search tool that locates educational video segments and lets you view them online for free IPL The Internet Public Library -- a free collection of links in a variety of subject areas, this is a page dedicated to kids resources, they also have links arranged by subject area, and links to free online books National Repository of Online Courses -- a library of free, high-quality online courses for students and faculty in higher education, high school and Advanced Placement, includes math, science, and social studies Connexions by Rice University - contains educational materials in all subjects for all levels, from children to college students to professional. Information is organized in small modules that stand alone or can be easily connected into larger courses. Connexions is an innovative environment for collaboratively developing, freely sharing, and rapidly publishing scholarly content on the Web. All content is free. Annenberg Media - (K - adult) educational videos can be viewed free online using "Video on Demand" , or purchased thru their website MIT Open Courseware - free online course materials for actual MIT classes (no credit given) Colleges and Universities that Offer Free Courses Online (Oct 29, 2007) -- a nice compilation from Education-Portal.com United Streaming - a subscription-based "Video on Demand" supplier of over 30,000 educational videos, used in schools, discounted homeschool yearly subscriptions available Thinkwell - college level CD-Rom courses in science, math, and social studies are presented in 10- minute segments of video lectures, samples of each class available for preview on the website, courses are purchased individually Bright Minds Critical Thinking Books and CD-Roms- workbooks full of puzzles, brain teasers and critical thinking activities, and educational software Kid'sClick.com - reviews and sales of kids educational software, by subject Creation Engine - academic discounts on software for schools and students Edventures Online - combines online tutorials with hands-on project-based learning for interdisciplinary problem solving and critical thinking, online subscription required Open Educational Resources (OER) Commons -- free online courses in all subject areas, K - adult HowStuffWorks.com - explanations of how various objects, and processes,and concepts work TechTrekers WebQuests - K-12 - hundreds of free ideas for research-based learning using the Internet, TutorVista -- inexpensive tutoring services out of an Asian call center, straight monthly fee, read a CNN.com article about this service There are also many free and subscription online courses, modules and curriculum -- you will find them within each school subject in the Homeschooling by Subject section of the Diner. Related Resources: Nintenducation – A New Take On Edutainment by AJ Glasser, 12:30 PM on Wed Apr 22 2009, 12,425 views --even schools are seeing the benefits of computer-based education ;-) |
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