If your daughter has access to a computer or a smartphone, chances are that she is using them to connect with friends via popular social media channels. Facebook alone boasts 845 million active users and roughly 250 million images are uploaded to Facebook each day. This doesn’t even take into account other popular sites like [...]
Posted in Back to School, News, Online Tools 
Tags: Facebook, Instagram, Online Privacy, social media, technology, Twitter 
Comments OffIt’s no secret that the once-superior education system in the United States has fallen behind countries like China and Singapore in recent years, particularly in the areas of science and math. How can the US keep pace globally when our rivals in innovation and engineering are turning out university STEM graduates at increasing rates, leaving [...]
Posted in College, Homeschool Tags: Engineering, Math, Obama, Project-based learning, Science, STEM, technology Comments OffReading and math are important skills. Everyone might agree that they should be included in a learning plan. However, there are numerous ways to engage children in learning–not all of them geared with a look to the future. For example, learning to read is a milestone no matter how it is accomplished. But once it [...]
Posted in Books, Computer Programming, Eclectic Homeschooling, Environmental Conservation, Experiments, Global Homeschooling, iPad, iPod, Languages, Learning Methods, Literacy, Math, Unschooling Tags: curiosity, Diversity, eLearning, Future, hacking, homeschool, technology, unschool Comments OffOne of the greatest challenges for anyone in the business of inspiring, mentoring, or otherwise working with young people is to impart the love of learning. Education is often seen as a tool or a requirement, not as a freedom; a chore, as opposed to a luxury–rarely as a source of enjoyment. Homeschoolers and independent [...]
Posted in Homeschool, Learning Methods, Literacy, Online Tools, technology Tags: homeschool, Learning, literacy, love of learning, technology Comments OffCyberchase, an Emmy Award-winning animated series for 8-11 year-olds is now completely available online. This fun, STEM-rich series is full of hands-on math, engineering, and physics lessons weaved creatively into the stories. Learn more about Cyberchase over at GeekMom
Posted in Activities, Interdisciplinary, Math, Online Tools, Science, STEAM Tags: computers, Cyberchase, PBS, STEM, technology, Thirteen, WNET Comments Off“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” – Lao-Tzu Humanity has disrupted nature’s path of least resistance by creating cities, structures, roads, and even political systems that defy natural conditions. We [...]
Posted in Eclectic Homeschooling, Interdisciplinary, Reading, STEAM, Unit Study Tags: constrtuctivism, creativity, Homeschooling, Learning, play, Project-based learning, technology, Unschooling, whole learning Comments OffSteve Jobs, founder of Apple, died on October 5, 2011, losing his long battle with pancreatic cancer. Steve changed our world in so many ways that it is difficult to imagine where innovation goes from here. Learn more about the amazing man and his vision and unique technology philosophy that made all the difference. Thanks [...]
Posted in Culture, Design, STEAM, technology, TED Tags: Apple, disruptive innovation, icon, iconoclast, innovation, Inspiration, STEAM, Steve Jobs, technology, the arts Comments Off
Back in the 1990′s, Constructivist Seymour Papert (father of Lego Mindstorms), wrote and spoke about learning as opposed to being taught. He showed how technology provides pathways for learning where instructors learn right along with children. As brilliant as Seymour Papert is, his ideas haven’t penetrated the teacher->student relationship in public schools. His visionary model [...]
Posted in Back to School, Eclectic Homeschooling, Interdisciplinary, Learning Methods, News, Teaching methods Tags: child-led learning, Constructivist, Education, Learning, LEGO Mindstorms, pedagogy, Project-based learning, Seymour Papert, Teaching, technology Comments OffThe iPod touch is an amazingly powerful device that can do more than play games and music. Recently, Apple has highlighted an elementary school in California that uses iPod touch devices to help children improve literacy. Using the iPod touch lessons, students’ reading fluency increased six times the normal rate after six weeks. The teachers use [...]
Posted in Language Arts, Learning Methods, technology Tags: Apple, IPod, IPod Touch, Learning, literacy, technology Comments OffThe iPad is truly amazing. Not only is it a web-browsing, note-taking, schedule-keeping, game-playing, e-mail-checking, sky-watching, map-displaying device, it is also a musical instrument! We found this nice tutorial on playing the guitar on Garageband, an Apple program now available as an iPad app ($4.99). Garageband is a very useful program and is worth $4.99 [...]
