EducationKids & FamilyParenting

Homeschooling with Technology

Meryl van der Merwe

On Homeschooling with Technology, former programmer and veteran homeschool mom Meryl van der Merwe helps families use tech with confidence and wisdom — the best apps and online tools, AI for planning and learning (used safely), and practical tips that fit real homeschool days. No jargon, no overwhelm. Listen to an episode below and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for a fresh tip each week.

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S1 · E395
Wednesday · length unknown
Pros and Cons of self-paced online classes
395: Pros and Cons of self-paced online classes Self-paced online classes can give homeschool families flexibility, save money, and allow students to learn on their own schedules. But are they the right choice for every subject and every student? In this episode, Meryl shares the advantages and drawbacks of self-paced classes, along with tips for making them work for your family. Advantages of self-paced classes Flexibility: Students can work around illness, travel, sports, and other family commitments. Lower cost: Self-paced classes are often less expensive, and some can be reused by siblings. More parental involvement: Parents who review and grade work can see where their children are succeeding or struggling. Room to customize: Parents may be able to adjust assignments or substitute other learning activities. Easy access: Many online classes are ready to use wherever you have an internet connection. Flexible start and finish dates: Families can fit a course into their own homeschool calendar. Check whether access expires before enrolling. Challenges to consider No built-in deadlines: Students may struggle to stay on track. Consider setting deadlines and deciding how you will follow up. Parent expertise: Parents may need to answer questions or grade work in subjects they don’t know well. Courses may be left unfinished: A low-cost course can be easy to set aside, even if the material is valuable. Fewer opportunities for teacher recommendations: College-bound students may need to build relationships with teachers or other instructors who can write recommendations. Meryl suggests combining self-paced classes with other learning experiences, such as deadline-based online classes, co-op classes, community college courses, and learning at home. Resources mentioned FundaFunda Academy — the show sponsor, offers self-paced classes (electives) and unit studies. Literary Adventures for Kids — online literature and language arts courses. Read FundaFunda’s Poetry and a Movie review. literaryadventuresforkids.com Music in Our Homeschool — self-paced music courses. Kristin Moon Science — self-paced science courses, including shorter courses to build specific skills and explore interests. Mr. D Math — online math and other courses, including self-paced options. Derek Owens — online math and science courses, with grading options Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode. The post Pros and Cons of self-paced online classes appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
S1 · E395
October 21 · 13 min
6 Fun YouTube Shows for Homeschool Geography
394: Six Fun YouTube Shows for Homeschool Geography Bring geography into your homeschool with six free YouTube shows that make learning about the world entertaining. Meryl shares favorites she watches, including several she uses in her high school World Geography class. Shows mentioned CGP Grey Explore unusual borders and geographical puzzles through entertaining explanations. Look for the Bizarre Borders playlist and Grey’s explanation of the countries that make up the UK. Geography Now Discover individual countries through lively videos covering their geography and culture. Meryl uses selected episodes with quizzes and has students create their own Geography Now–style country videos. Expedition Overland Follow a team exploring remote places in overlanding vehicles. Their journeys offer a look at challenging terrain and the people they meet along the way. Meryl started with the Central America series and recommends the show for family viewing. Rickshaw Run This four-part adventure follows YouTubers traveling across India in tuk-tuks while raising money for charity. The journey offers glimpses of ordinary life in India, with breakdowns and uncertainty adding to the story. Jet Lag: The Game Watch competitors turn real places into elaborate game boards, with challenges such as hide-and-seek and races across countries. Strategy and unexpected developments keep viewers interested while introducing them to different locations. Parent note: Some episodes include strong language or challenges involving alcohol. Preview episodes according to your family’s preferences. Itchy Boots Join a Dutch woman traveling solo by motorcycle. Her adventures introduce viewers to local food and changing landscapes, along with the practical challenges of the journey. Early episodes are short enough to fit into a spare few minutes. FundaFunda Academy resources High School World Geography — A two-semester course with the option to begin in January and complete the remaining semester in the fall. Around North America in 30 Days — A web-based unit study for grades 4–8. Around South America in 30 Days — A web-based unit study for grades 4–8. Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode. The post 6 Fun YouTube Shows for Homeschool Geography appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
S1 · E393
October 14 · 11 min
Canva Learn Grid: A New Free Resource for Homeschooling
393: Canva Learn Grid: A New Free Resource for Homeschooling Looking for free, ready-to-use educational resources for your homeschool? Canva Learn Grid offers worksheets, presentations, infographics, and interactive activities that can save you time and make learning more engaging. What You’ll Learn How to access Canva Learn Grid and search for ready-to-use educational resources. How to filter resources by subject, grade level, and location, including US state standards and other countries. Worksheets and digital activities that students can complete as part of their lessons. Presentations and infographics that make teaching easier, especially for homeschool co-op classes. Interactive games created with Canva Code, including matching activities, word searches, quizzes, and sequencing exercises. How to customize resources by changing text, adding your own photos, or adapting activities to your curriculum. Why Homeschoolers Will Love Canva Learn Grid One of the biggest advantages of Canva Learn Grid is the ability to find resources that are ready to use immediately. Whether you’re planning a unit study, teaching a co-op class, or need an educational activity on a busy day, Learn Grid provides plenty of options. Students can also use the templates as a starting point for their own presentations, research projects, and creative assignments. Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode. The post Canva Learn Grid: A New Free Resource for Homeschooling appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
S1 · E392
October 7 · 20 min
Tips for Completing the FAFSA: What Parents Need to Know
392: Tips for Completing the FAFSA: What Parents Need to Know Completing the FAFSA can feel intimidating, but the process has become much simpler than it used to be. In this episode, Meryl talks with Robert Farrington, founder of The College Investor, about what families need to know when completing the FAFSA. Robert explains why almost every college-bound student should complete the FAFSA—even families who assume they won’t qualify for federal aid. The FAFSA can also be required for state aid, college scholarships, and other financial aid opportunities. Robert also shares how the FAFSA has changed. Much of the information is now imported directly from your tax return, and the form uses smart logic to ask only the questions relevant to your family. The average completion time is now around 12 minutes. In this episode, we discuss: Why almost every college-bound student should complete the FAFSA How the FAFSA can unlock federal, state, and university financial aid Why students and parents each need a StudentAid.gov login Why families should aim to complete the FAFSA by Thanksgiving Common FAFSA mistakes when reporting assets Assets you generally do not report, including your primary residence and retirement accounts Changes affecting family-owned businesses and farms How 529 plans can affect FAFSA calculations Why joint bank accounts with children or aging parents can create problems What happens after you submit the FAFSA Understanding the Student Aid Index (SAI) When families may also need to complete the CSS Profile Robert recommends completing the FAFSA early because some state and college financial aid programs operate on a first-come, first-served basis. He also shares planning strategies families can consider before their children reach college age, including where assets are held and how 529 plans are treated for financial aid purposes. After submitting the FAFSA, students should watch for their Student Aid Index (SAI) and check whether any colleges on their list also require the CSS Profile. Resources The College Investor thecollegeinvestor.com Look for Robert’s article: “The 2027–28 FAFSA Is Now Open to Every Family.” StudentAid.gov Use this site to create student and parent accounts and complete the FAFSA. Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network Birthday Giveaway Find the giveaway here Where to find Robert Website: http://thecollegeinvestor.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecollegeinvestor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollegeinvestor/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/thecollegeinvestor Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode. The post Tips for Completing the FAFSA: What Parents Need to Know appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
October 1 · 29 min
Sweet 13 Bonus: My Teen Is Using AI
Meryl has been tracking what technology does to a homeschool since before most of us were paying attention. That is why she gets this question. For the network’s thirteenth birthday, every host answers one real question from a homeschool parent. Here is hers. Her question: “Your teenager is using AI to do their schoolwork, and you have no idea whether to ban it or teach it.” Her answer is the analogy that makes it click: adults use AI like an intern — a junior one, whose work you check. Teens do not see an assistant. They see a replacement, a shortcut, a brain double. We do not use it as a crutch; we use it to help us, and that is what your teen has to learn. The clip comes from Creating an AI Policy for Your Homeschool. Also in this episode: Felice Gerwitz on whether to homeschool at all · Hal and Melanie Young on boys who will not sit still · Dr. Melanie Wilson on why you are already behind · the 7Sisters on the high school transcript · Sue Myers on a fever and a two-year-old · Meredith Curtis on getting the joy back · Lisa Nehring on life skills before they launch. The Sweet 13 Giveaway is open. More than $1,500 in prizes, four drawings across October, and a free party favor for everyone who enters. Enter at ultimateradioshow.com/sweet-13 — October 1 through 29. No purchase necessary, US residents 18+, official rules here. Presented by Eden’s Table, a Bible-rooted herbalism unit study for K–5. Get Week 1 free, or use code EDEN13 for 10% off through October 31. The post Sweet 13 Bonus: My Teen Is Using AI appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
S1 · E391
September 30 · 8 min
Cool History Games
391: Cool History Games Meryl shares a free website that makes practicing history quick and fun: Cool History Games. The site includes several daily history games that work well as a short family activity, a homeschool warm-up, or a transition between subjects. Everything can be played directly in the browser, with no login required. Meryl highlights five daily games: Chronology – Put six historical events in the correct chronological order. Plot Twist – A history-themed version of Two Truths and a Lie. Choose which statement is historically inaccurate, then read the explanation. Speech Match – Match historical quotations with the people who said them. Threads – A Connections-style game where you group historical people, places, and terms that belong together. Portrait – Identify a historical figure as clues are gradually revealed. She also explores Time Trek, a longer choose-your-own-adventure-style history game. Players travel through different historical eras, make decisions, and earn attributes such as health, gold, knowledge, and fame along the way. These games are a simple way to reinforce history knowledge, introduce unfamiliar historical topics, and give students an opportunity to interact with history rather than simply read about it. Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode. The post Cool History Games appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
S1 · E347
September 23 · 19 min
How Homeschool Families Can Use Airtable
390: How Homeschool Families Can Use Airtable Have you heard of Airtable but aren’t quite sure what it is—or why a homeschool family might want to use it? In this episode, Gina Steffy from the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network explains how Airtable can help homeschool families organize information, keep records, and create searchable collections of resources. Gina explains that Airtable is essentially a database with a user-friendly interface. Unlike a traditional spreadsheet, it allows you to organize the same information in different ways, attach files and images, create forms, filter records, and easily find what you need later. We also brainstorm plenty of practical ways homeschool families could use Airtable. In this episode, we discuss: What Airtable is and how it differs from Google Sheets or Excel Why Airtable works well for information you want to sort, filter, and search Using templates to get started quickly What is included in Airtable’s free plan Creating a family reading log or book database Organizing field trip ideas by age, location, price, or time required Keeping records of student projects and attaching photos or written work Creating searchable lists of homeschool resources Tracking LEGO creations and other hands-on projects Organizing activity or storage bins Using Airtable for recipes and other family information Why learning to classify and organize information develops critical-thinking skills How Airtable experience can be useful for teens preparing for college and employment Airtable certifications and the value of building technology skills How quickly beginners can create their first useful Airtable Using Airtable tutorials, YouTube, and AI tools such as ChatGPT or Claude to learn the software Gina also shares an Airtable Homeschool Starter Guide printable that walks you through creating a simple book list—an easy first Airtable project for your homeschool. A simple project for your teen Instead of learning new software without a purpose, give your teen a real project. Ask them to create an Airtable database your family can actually use. They could organize your books, recipes, field trips, homeschool resources, or another collection of information. They’ll gain practical digital-literacy skills while creating something useful for the whole family. Resources mentioned Airtable Airtable templates and tutorials Gina’s Getting Started with Airtable printable If your homeschool information currently lives in a mixture of spreadsheets, screenshots, notes, papers, and files, Airtable may be worth exploring. Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode. The post How Homeschool Families Can Use Airtable appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
S1 · E389
September 16 · length unknown
Best College Application Resources for Homeschoolers
389: Best College Application Resources for Homeschoolers College applications can feel overwhelming, especially once senior year arrives. In this episode, I share several useful websites that can help homeschool families choose colleges, understand the application process, work through essays and recommendations, and make sense of what happens after applications are submitted. These resources are useful for seniors, but many are worth exploring much earlier. Starting in middle or early high school gives students more time to think about what they want in a college and helps reduce stress later. Resources mentioned in this episode FAFSA https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa If your student may apply for financial aid or scholarships, be sure to complete the FAFSA. Parents and students will each need the appropriate accounts, so it is helpful to get those set up before the FAFSA opens. College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/ College Scorecard is a helpful place to start comparing colleges. You can filter schools by factors such as: Location Annual cost Degree or major Test scores Urban or rural setting Religious affiliation You can also compare information such as graduation rates, average annual cost, and median earnings after graduation. Appily https://www.appily.com/ Appily offers college search tools, virtual college tours, scholarship information, and quizzes designed to help students think about possible majors and what type of college might be a good fit. Students can also explore factors such as campus culture, demographics, clubs, and other aspects of college life. Common App Resources https://www.commonapp.org/apply/first-year-students This provides a video walkthrough of the Common App. https://www.commonapp.org/apply/fy-toolkit The First-Year Toolkit also covers topics such as: Common App terminology Testing information Recommendation letters Family and teacher brag sheets Application fees and fee waivers Financial aid Resources for international applicants BigFuture by College Board https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/apply-to-college BigFuture includes information about scholarships, college planning, and the application process. Resources include: A 12th-grade college application timeline What to do after applying Early Action and Early Decision College placement tests General college admission guidance BigFuture also has a College Planning for Homeschoolers FAQ, which answers questions specifically relevant to homeschool applicants, including questions about high school codes and account setup. College Essay Guy https://www.collegeessayguy.com/college-application-hub The College Essay Guy’s resources extend well beyond the main Common App essay. You can find information on: Creating a college list Early Action vs. Early Decision Personal statements Supplemental essays Recommendation letters College interviews Financial aid Understanding financial aid award letters Appealing financial aid decisions There are also free resources for international students, first-generation students, and low-income students. Start collecting resources early Even if your child is not yet a senior, consider creating a digital folder where you can save useful college application information. When application season arrives, you will already have resources available rather than starting from scratch. You can also search the FundaFunda Academy blog for additional articles about college applications, scholarships, and scholarship websites Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode The post Best College Application Resources for Homeschoolers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
S1 · E388
September 9 · 20 min
Alternatives to Google search
388: Alternatives to Google search with Jo Ebisujima Google Search has changed significantly with the addition of AI-generated summaries at the top of search results. For students especially, this can make it tempting to accept an AI-generated answer without ever visiting the original source or checking whether the information is accurate. In this episode, I talk with veteran homeschooler and educator, Jo Ebisujima, about alternatives to Google Search and why homeschoolers should teach their children to think more carefully about how they search for information online. Jo shares a variety of search engines and browsers families can explore, including options that emphasize privacy, reduce tracking and advertising, or allow users to search without automatically receiving AI-generated answers. We discuss: Why Google’s AI summaries can be problematic for students Why students need to learn to check original sources How different search engines handle privacy, advertising, and AI Alternatives including Startpage, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia, UDM14, Mojeek, Dogpile, Brave, Vivaldi, Bing, and Kagi Search tools for deeper research Why students should understand how a free search engine makes money How parents can turn comparing search engines into a media literacy activity How to help teens recognize more reliable online sources Why Reddit, blogs, and other user-generated content should be evaluated carefully rather than automatically trusted One simple activity Jo recommends is giving your children several questions for which you already know the answers. Have them search for the same information using different search engines and compare what they find. Ask your children: Which search engine gave the most useful results? Were the results noticeably different? Was AI automatically included? Were there advertisements? Does the search engine track users? How does the company make money? Which sources appeared near the top? Which search engine would they choose for future research, and why? This is an easy way to introduce discussions about online research, digital privacy, source evaluation, and AI literacy. Be sure to check out Jo’s blog post on this topic, where you can find links to the sites she mentions. Where to find Jo Ebisujima online Main blog: https://www.jojoebi.com/blog-2/ 193 Little Adventures Club site – I create geography and culture packs – https://193littleadventures.com/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/193_little_adventures/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/193littleadventures/ Pinterest – https://jp.pinterest.com/jojoebi Show sponsor FundaFunda Academy For online classes for homeschool students, including Computer Applications, AI for Teens, computer science, and other electives, visit the Computer page on FundaFunda Academy. Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode The post Alternatives to Google search appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
S1 · E387
September 2 · 16 min
How to Homeschool for Free: A Sample Homeschool Day
387: How to Homeschool for Free: A Sample Homeschool Day Using Free Resources Can you really homeschool for free? Yes — but free curriculum usually requires more work from the parent. In this episode, I walk through what a homeschool day could look like using completely free resources for math, English, foreign language, science, history, geography, art, and music. Rather than giving you dozens of websites to sort through, I focus on a manageable number of resources that can work across multiple subjects and age levels. Free homeschool resources mentioned Math Zearn — especially useful for elementary and middle school math All-in-One High School — free Christian high school curriculum covering multiple subjects OpenStax — free textbooks and course materials, particularly helpful for high school Khan Academy — math plus many other subjects CK-12 — free online textbooks and learning resources, especially for middle and high school English Khan Academy English language resources Vocabulary.com Your local library for literature, reading lists, audiobooks, and ebooks Libby for borrowing ebooks and audiobooks through participating libraries Foreign Language Duolingo — a good free starting point for language learning Mango Languages — often available free through public libraries Science CK-12 OpenStax Science Friday Educate — science lessons that can be filtered by grade level and topic Library books for additional science reading and experiment ideas History The Daily Bellringer on YouTube — short history videos organized into playlists on topics such as medieval history and World War II Use a video as the starting point, then expand the topic with library books, research projects, posters, LEGO builds, games, or other hands-on activities. Geography, Art & Music Google Arts & Culture — explore museums, art, music, geography, games, and virtual experiences These subjects don’t necessarily need to be covered every day, so they can easily be rotated throughout the week. The catch with free homeschool curriculum Free resources can provide excellent content, but parents often need to decide what to use, put lessons into a logical sequence, add supplementary material, provide accountability, and give students feedback. That takes time. Paid curriculum and online classes often save parents time because someone else has already organized and sequenced the material. But you certainly don’t need to outsource every subject. Working alongside your children is one of the advantages of homeschooling. Using AI to plan free homeschool curriculum AI can also make using free resources much easier. For example, you could ask AI to help you map out a year of science for an eight-year-old and suggest topics and resources. You can then review the plan, check the resources, and use it as a framework for your homeschool year. Using AI as a planning assistant can significantly reduce the time required to piece free curriculum together. Free States of Matter Unit Study FundaFunda Academy also has a free States of Matter mini unit study available when you join our newsletter. You’ll also receive access to our library of other free homeschool resources. Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode The post How to Homeschool for Free: A Sample Homeschool Day appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
S1 · E386
August 26 · 26 min
How to prepare teens for their first social media accounts
386: How to prepare teens for their first social media accounts Giving a teen their first social media account can feel a little like handing them the keys to a car. We wouldn’t expect a brand-new driver to figure everything out without preparation, and social media deserves the same kind of intentional teaching. In this episode, I’m joined by Stephanie Simoes of Critikid for a conversation about what teens need to understand before they start using social media. We discuss six important areas parents should consider: Platform safety – Understanding the specific risks and safety settings of the platforms your teen wants to use. Readiness and maturity – Thinking about whether your teen is ready to handle comparison, social pressure, and other challenges that come with social media. How social media platforms work – Helping teens understand algorithms, engagement, attention, and why platforms are designed to keep them scrolling. Online safety – Teaching teens about scams, privacy, location sharing, digital footprints, and unsafe contact with strangers. Critical thinking and media literacy – Recognizing logical fallacies, evaluating claims, checking sources, and identifying misleading statistics and graphs. What to do when something feels wrong – Making sure teens know when and how to involve a trusted adult. We also talk about practical ways parents can prepare their teens, including modeling healthy social media habits, discussing questionable posts together, and creating a social media agreement before giving them an account. Resources Mentioned Kids Safe GPT A tool parents can use to learn about potential safety concerns related to apps, platforms, games, and other online activities. https://smarterx.ai/kid-safe-gpt How Social Media Platforms Work – Reel https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZVUXadtdJL/ Interview with Fareedah on Online Safety https://critikid.com/online-safety Be Internet Awesome – Google Free resources for families covering online safety and digital citizenship, including family guides, activities, and the Interland game. https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/families Social Media TestDrive Interactive simulations that allow students to practice making decisions in realistic social media situations. Topics include digital footprints, privacy, breaking news, online identities, advertising, and healthy social media habits. https://socialmediatestdrive.org/ Critikid Social Media Simulator A safe, simulated social media feed that helps children and teens identify problems such as emotional manipulation, unsupported claims, unsafe trends, clickbait, misleading data, scams, and privacy risks. https://critikid.com/courses/social-media-simulator Critikid Media Literacy Resources Lessons and worksheets that help students develop critical thinking and media literacy skills. https://critikid.com/worksheets/media-literacy Or buy both together in the Media Literacy Bundle: https://critikid.com/bundles/media-literacy-bundle Free media literacy resources: https://critikid.com/resources (scroll to bottom) Critical Thinking in a Digital Age A half-credit course for students in grades 7 and up created by Critikid and FundaFunda Academy. https://www.fundafundaacademy.com/product/critical-thinking-for-the-digital-age/ FundaFunda Academy Computer Applications This course teaches students practical computer skills while also covering digital literacy, online safety, scams, strong passwords, and responsible technology use. https://www.fundafundaacademy.com/product/computer-fundamentals/ One Important Takeaway Teens need practice navigating social media before they are expected to manage it independently. Talk through examples with them, teach them what warning signs to watch for, and make sure they know they can come to you when something online makes them uncomfortable. If you know a family with a teen who is getting close to opening a first social media account, share this episode with them. Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode The post How to prepare teens for their first social media accounts appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
S1 · E385
August 19 · 17 min
Is AI Helping Your Teen Learn—or Doing the Learning for Them?
385: Is AI Helping Your Teen Learn—or Doing the Learning for Them? AI can be an incredibly useful learning tool for teens—but only when they use it in ways that support their own thinking and skill development. In this episode, I share a framework parents can use to help teens decide when AI is appropriate for schoolwork. The key question teens need to ask is: Will using AI help me learn something, or will it help me avoid learning it? We look at situations where teens should not use AI, including: Writing assignments designed to develop their own thinking and writing skills Questions asking for their personal knowledge or opinions Math, science, coding, or other problems they haven’t genuinely attempted first Avoiding assigned reading Submitting answers or language they don’t understand Allowing AI to make decisions for them Any assignment where the teacher has prohibited AI use I also share productive ways teens can use AI. It can re-explain a difficult concept, generate extra practice questions, provide feedback on a draft without rewriting it, help brainstorm ideas, identify gaps in understanding, practice for an interview or oral exam, and suggest search terms or resources for research. Finally, I give teens four questions they can ask themselves before using AI for schoolwork: Am I allowed to use AI? What am I losing by using AI? What am I gaining by using AI? Will I be able to explain the final result? These questions can help homeschool parents move the conversation beyond simply telling teens whether AI is “good” or “bad” and teach them to make thoughtful decisions about how they use it. Resources Mentioned AI for Teens class at FundaFunda Academy Students learn how AI works, explore useful AI tools, and learn how to use AI while preserving their own thinking, ideas, and creativity. NotebookLM An AI tool that can help students engage with material in different ways, including alternative explanations and learning formats. Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode The post Is AI Helping Your Teen Learn—or Doing the Learning for Them? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
S1 · E384
August 12 · 15 min
A Student’s Perspective on Essential Tech Skills for High School
384: A Student’s Perspective on Essential Tech Skills for High School In this episode, Meryl talks with high school senior Ada Anderson about the technology skills she has found most useful throughout her high school years.Ada shares the tools she uses regularly for school, scholarships, personal projects, and staying organized. She also talks about some of the tech skills students are often expected to know even though no one has actually taught them how to use them well. In this episode, we discuss: The tech tools Ada uses most often, including Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, and Canva How she learned her technology skills through trial and error and formal classes Why learning these skills before high school can make later classes easier How often high school classes require students to create presentations, posters, and videos Why knowing more than the basics of Google Sheets can be especially valuable Why learning how to figure out unfamiliar technology may be as important as learning individual tools How Ada uses Google Sheets to organize scholarship applications How Canva and video creation skills can be useful when applying for scholarships Tech skills that high school students are often assumed to know but may never have been taught One important takeaway from Ada’s experience is that students benefit from learning technology skills before they urgently need them. By the time they reach high school, they may be expected to collaborate in Google Docs, analyze information in spreadsheets, make presentations, create videos, and learn unfamiliar digital tools independently. Resources mentioned FundaFunda Academy Computer Applications – This full-year course introduces students to a wide range of practical technology skills. Students can choose the instructor-graded asynchronous version with weekly deadlines and opportunities for online collaboration, or a self-paced, parent-graded version that families can reuse with multiple children.The course is available for students from 7th grade up and is designed to help students become comfortable learning and using new technology independently. Free High School Tracker – This Google Sheet helps families keep track of information students may need later for college and scholarship applications, including courses, GPA, activities, and volunteer hours. Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode The post A Student’s Perspective on Essential Tech Skills for High School appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
S1 · E383
August 5 · length unknown
AI Through a Teen’s Eyes with Sofia Alvarez
383: AI Through a Teen’s Eyes with Sofia Alvarez de la Hoz In this episode, Meryl talks with Sophia Alvarez de la Hoz, a former student in Meryl’s AI for Teens class. Sophia shares what she knew about AI before taking the course, what surprised her, and how her understanding changed as she learned about topics such as large language models, AI ethics, red teaming, and responsible use. Sophia also explains how she currently uses AI tools for schoolwork and personal projects. She discusses using NotebookLM to study and an AI image generator to develop the design for her eighth-grade graduation cap. The conversation addresses an important question for homeschool families: How can students use AI for support without allowing it to do the thinking for them? Sophia shares practical strategies, including asking AI to explain a concept without revealing the answer and recognizing when the tool is completing too much of the learning process. Other topics discussed include: Why using AI to cheat ultimately harms the student The risk of becoming overly dependent on AI How AI may affect future careers The importance of understanding how AI works Future AI tools that could assist people with disabilities Why teens need a balanced understanding of AI The skills students should develop as AI becomes more common Sophia’s central message is that AI is a tool whose value depends greatly on how it is used. Students need opportunities to understand its capabilities, limitations, risks, and ethical implications so they can make informed decisions. Resources Mentioned AI for Teens class from FundaFunda Academy: AI for Teens is a one-semester, half-credit elective designed for students in grades 7–12. NotebookLM: https://notebooklm.google.com/ Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode The post AI Through a Teen’s Eyes with Sofia Alvarez appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
S3 · E381
July 22 · 6 min
Summer Tech Challenge 8: Create a Video Recommendation
381: Summer Tech Challenge 8: Create a Video Recommendation Video creation is becoming an essential skill for today’s students. In this episode, homeschool families are challenged to create a short recommendation video using Canva. Whether you’ve never edited a video before or you’re ready to build your skills, this challenge provides a simple way to get started while creating something useful to share with others. Students / parents can recommend anything they enjoyed this summer—from books and games to museums, podcasts, travel destinations, or homeschool resources. In this episode Why video creation is a valuable college and career skill Why Canva is an excellent beginner-friendly video editor How to create a 30–60 second recommendation video Ideas for topics to recommend Ways to use images, stock photos, AI-generated images, and video clips Adding text or recording a voiceover How AI tools like ChatGPT can help when you get stuck How to enter the Summer Tech Challenge Summer Tech Challenge Prompt Create a 30–60 second recommendation video about something you enjoyed this summer. Ideas include: A favorite book A board or card game A museum A vacation destination A podcast A homeschool resource Anything else you’d recommend to others Use Canva to combine images, video clips, text, and/or a voiceover into a short video. Mentioned in this episode Canva for video creation ChatGPT for troubleshooting while creating videos FundaFunda Academy Computer Applications course (self-paced and teacher-graded options) Entering the Summer Challenge Share what you did in the challenge on one of the FundaFunda Education Instagram or Facebook posts or in one of these Facebook groups: Homeschooling with Technology Homeschooling Middle School Homeschooling College-Bound Teens If you are not on social media, email your entry to meryl@fundafunda.com, and it can be shared on your behalf. Each week, one participant will win a FundaFunda Academy unit study of their choice worth $20. Everyone who participates during the summer will also be entered into the grand prize drawing for a $50 gift card. Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode The post Summer Tech Challenge 8: Create a Video Recommendation appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
S1 · E380
July 15 · 9 min
Summer Tech Challenge 7: Create a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Story
380: Summer Tech Challenge 7: Create a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Story In this week’s Summer Tech Challenge, learn how to turn Google Slides into an interactive choose-your-own-adventure story. This activity combines creativity, planning, writing, and technology while giving students a fun way to present what they’ve learned. In this episode Why choose-your-own-adventure stories are such engaging learning projects How this activity builds research, planning, and creative writing skills Real classroom examples from FundaFunda Academy courses Why Google Slides is an excellent tool for interactive storytelling How to map out your story before building it Creating hyperlinks between slides to allow readers to make choices Summer Tech Challenge #7 Create a summer-themed choose-your-own-adventure story using Google Slides. Your story could include: A family vacation A trip to the beach A day at the pool Camping adventures Any original summer adventure you can imagine Tips for Success Plan the story on paper before opening Google Slides. Create all of your slides first. Use hyperlinks to connect choices to different slides. Add images after the story structure is complete. Remember that not every slide needs to offer a choice—some simply move the story forward. Resources Mentioned Google Slides YouTube tutorial on creating choose-your-own-adventure stories with Google Slides Entering the Summer Challenge Share what you did in the challenge on one of the FundaFunda Education Instagram or Facebook posts or in one of these Facebook groups: Homeschooling with Technology Homeschooling Middle School Homeschooling College-Bound Teens If you are not on social media, email your entry to meryl@fundafunda.com, and it can be shared on your behalf. Each week, one participant will win a FundaFunda Academy unit study of their choice worth $20. Everyone who participates during the summer will also be entered into the grand prize drawing for a $50 gift card. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes! The post Summer Tech Challenge 7: Create a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Story appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
S1 · E379
July 8 · 8 min
Summer Tech Challenge 6: Create a Custom Map
379: Summer Tech Challenge 6: Create a Custom Map Did you know you can create your own interactive Google map? In this episode, you will learn about Google My Maps, a free Google tool that allows you to create personalized maps with locations, notes, photos, videos, colors, layers, and routes. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, documenting your travels, or creating a homeschool project, custom maps are a fun and practical way to organize information visually. As part of the Summer Tech Challenge series, this week’s challenge is to create a Google My Map on any topic that interests you. Ideas for Using Google My Maps Travel Plan an upcoming vacation Organize attractions, restaurants, hotels, hiking trails, and museums Document a completed trip with photos and notes Create an interactive travel journal to share with others Homeschool Projects Literary maps following the locations in a novel History maps showing important events and battles Geography projects Family heritage and immigration maps College visit planning Local homeschool field trip guides National park tracking This Week’s Challenge Create a custom Google My Map on any topic that interests you. Ideas include: A dream vacation A recent trip A book you’re reading Historical events Family history College visits National parks Local educational attractions Any topic that can be represented on a map Resources Google My Maps: https://www.google.com/mymaps Google My Maps Help Center: https://support.google.com/mymaps Youtube tutorial: https://youtu.be/NaShzdhOf5M?si=kX1w0IEWU7UrLhMx Entering the Summer Challenge Share what you did in the challenge on one of the FundaFunda Education Instagram or Facebook posts or in one of these Facebook groups: Homeschooling with Technology Homeschooling Middle School Homeschooling College-Bound Teens If you are not on social media, email your entry to meryl@fundafunda.com, and it can be shared on your behalf. Each week, one participant will win a FundaFunda Academy unit study of their choice worth $20. Everyone who participates during the summer will also be entered into the grand prize drawing for a $50 gift card. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes! The post Summer Tech Challenge 6: Create a Custom Map appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
S1 · E378
July 1 · 7 min
Summer Tech Challenge # 5: Design Your Summer
378: Summer Tech Challenge #5 – Design Your Summer with Padlet Summer is the perfect time to experiment with new technology without the pressure of a full school schedule. In this fifth installment of the Summer Tech Challenge, Meryl introduces one of her favorite educational tools: Padlet. Whether you want to plan summer adventures, organize projects, create a travel journal, or build a digital portfolio, Padlet offers an easy and flexible way to collect ideas, photos, videos, documents, and more in one place. This week’s challenge is simple: create a Padlet and discover how it could become one of your favorite tools for homeschooling. In this episode Why summer is a great time to explore new technology What Padlet is and why it’s one of Meryl’s favorite educational tools How Padlet works as a collaborative digital bulletin board Ideas for creating a summer activity brainstorming board Using Kanban boards to organize projects and tasks Creating a visual travel journal or photo collection Using Padlet as a digital student portfolio How to get started with Padlet’s templates, Gallery, and Learn section Tips for collaborating with family members or homeschool groups This Week’s Challenge Create a free Padlet and use it to document or plan part of your summer. Some ideas include: Brainstorm summer activities Organize a family project Create a vacation photo board Track books you’ve read Build a simple digital portfolio Plan goals or hobbies for the rest of the summer Then share a screenshot or describe what you created on one of FundaFunda Academy’s social media posts about this episode for a chance to win. Giveaway Each week, one participant will be randomly selected to win a FundaFunda Academy Unit Study of their choice. At the end of the Summer Tech Challenge, one grand prize winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card. Resources Mentioned Padlet – https://padlet.com Padlet Learn – https://padlet.com/learn Padlet Gallery – https://padlet.com/gallery Entering the Summer Challenge Share what you did in the challenge on one of the FundaFunda Education Instagram or Facebook posts or in one of these Facebook groups: Homeschooling with Technology Homeschooling Middle School Homeschooling College-Bound Teens If you are not on social media, email your entry to meryl@fundafunda.com and it can be shared on your behalf. Each week, one participant will win a FundaFunda Academy unit study of their choice worth $20. Everyone who participates during the summer will also be entered into the grand prize drawing for a $50 gift card. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes! The post Summer Tech Challenge # 5: Design Your Summer appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
S1 · E377
June 24 · 7 min
Summer Tech Challenge # 4: Create a Summer Tracker
377: Summer Tech Challenge 4: Create a Summer Tracker with Google Sheets In the fourth installment of the Summer Tech Challenge, Meryl encourages homeschool parents and teens to explore one of the most useful productivity tools available: Google Sheets. Many students today have limited experience with spreadsheets, yet they are an invaluable tool for organizing information, tracking data, budgeting, planning projects, and creating charts. In this episode, Meryl challenges listeners to learn the basics of Google Sheets and then use it to track something meaningful during the summer. Whether you’re completely new to spreadsheets or already have some experience, this challenge can be adapted to your skill level. In This Episode Why spreadsheet skills are valuable for homeschoolers and parents How Google Sheets can be used beyond calculations and formulas Easy ways to organize information using spreadsheets Ideas for summer tracking projects Using AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude to learn spreadsheet skills How to participate in the Summer Tech Challenge Summer Tracker Ideas Create a Google Sheet to track: Books read during the summer Family reading challenges Travel expenses and vacation budgets Summer activities and outings Homeschool planning for the coming year Savings goals Gift and holiday spending Personal projects and goals Helpful Resources => The high school activity tracker mentioned in this episode – it will force you to make a copy you can then edit and fill out. This Week’s Challenge Complete the challenge and share your project for a chance to win prizes. You can: Share a description of your spreadsheet Post a screenshot Share a template you’ve created Entering the Summer Challenge Share what you did in the challenge on one of the FundaFunda Education Instagram or Facebook posts or in one of these Facebook groups: Homeschooling with Technology Homeschooling Middle School Homeschooling College-Bound Teens If you are not on social media, email your entry to meryl@fundafunda.com and it can be shared on your behalf. Each week, one participant will win a FundaFunda Academy unit study of their choice worth $20. Everyone who participates during the summer will also be entered into the grand prize drawing for a $50 gift card. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes! The post Summer Tech Challenge # 4: Create a Summer Tracker appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
S1 · E376
June 17 · 6 min
Summer Tech Challenge #3: Explore Google Arts and Culture
376: Summer Tech Challenge 3: Explore Google Arts and Culture This week’s challenge is simple: explore Google Arts & Culture and discover something new. Whether you enjoy art, history, geography, museums, or interactive games, Google Arts & Culture offers countless opportunities for learning and exploration. From virtual museum tours to historical exhibits, famous artworks, cultural landmarks, and educational games, there is something for every age and interest. In This Episode Exploring virtual museum tours from around the world Discovering historical sites, artwork, and cultural treasures Using Google Arts & Culture to enrich homeschool lessons Finding resources for history, art, geography, and more Exploring educational games and interactive experiences Resources Mentioned Google Arts & Culture This Week’s Challenge Visit Google Arts & Culture. Set a timer for 15 minutes. Explore a museum, historical site, artwork, game, or cultural experience. Consider how you might use it in your homeschool. Share what you discovered on social media or by email for a chance to win a FundaFunda Academy unit study. Entering the Summer Challenge Share your favorite Google Arts and Culture Activity on one of the FundaFunda Education Instagram or Facebook posts or in one of these Facebook groups: Homeschooling with Technology Homeschooling Middle School Homeschooling College-Bound Teens If you are not on social media, email your quiz link to meryl@fundafunda.com and it can be shared on your behalf. Each week, one participant will win a FundaFunda Academy unit study of their choice worth $20. Everyone who participates during the summer will also be entered into the grand prize drawing for a $50 gift card. Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes! The post Summer Tech Challenge #3: Explore Google Arts and Culture appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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