Homeschool Software Connection
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Most children would agree that introducing computer games into their school day would definately make their homeschooling fun! But before you go ahead and buy any computer programs, you need to answer this question: will my child actually benefit? In other words, every child learns differently. Some children may not be suited to online learning. Once you've determined that computer learning will be beneficial, now comes the hard part - how do you choose the subject(s) your child will use computer software to learn? And once you've decided THAT, how do you choose from the bazillions of programs available? It seems that the decisions never end, but trust me, that this is the hardest part. Once you've gotten past this point, you'll quickly experience the benefits that homeschool software posesses.
As I've mentioned already, some children will learn differently that others. And just as your child has thier own unique interests, so will their idea of a captivating computer game or program. Some children like characters, some children like puzzles. There is no shortage of subjects and topics available these days, so you should pay close attention to your choice in order for your child to get the maximum benefit from your investment in their eduction. This is where the 'fun' in homeschooling software comes in - choose something fun for your child, and they can't help but learn!
Finding a good combination of fun for your child and effective educational value is always a tricky prospect. A number of elements come into play: how your child learns, the curriculum you choose, and how much you want to invest in teaching tools. Your child's preferences with subjects and type of computer games they prefer will help you choose what software programs will be most effective in your homeschool programme. Combine your child's preference with your already choosen curriculum to narrow down the subject of software you will look for. Remember, many facets of learning can be addressed - information learning, problem solving, memorization, and creativity. The final factor that will come into play is budget. You might want to try out one or two titles before committing to a whole learning series. Or look for free software, as well as take advantage of non-traditional 'learning software' - ie, free graphics programs, or online word games.
An important factor to keep in mind is the interaction with other children that your child misses out on when they are home schooled. An important interaction with normal group schooling is the competitive nature of some of the school events. A fun way to introduce a fun and challenging learning environment that will imitate this competitive aspect is with home school software. Competing against a previous "high score' or achieving the next level is a very strong motivator for competitive kids, and adds an element of fun to their homeschooling day.Another interesting attribute of learning software is that they are often designed with enough flexibility so that they will suit a wide range of experience levels and learning speeds. The child is able to start out at the level they are currently studying at, and advance virtually at the maximum speed at which they are capable of learning. The combination of interactivity, challenge, and appropriate skill level makes homeschool software a very accessible learning tool which adds fun to your child's education. The secondary benefit to this adaptability is the ability for you to use the same program for multiple children, regardless of their individual levels and learning styles.
As I've mentioned already, some children will learn differently that others. And just as your child has thier own unique interests, so will their idea of a captivating computer game or program. Some children like characters, some children like puzzles. There is no shortage of subjects and topics available these days, so you should pay close attention to your choice in order for your child to get the maximum benefit from your investment in their eduction. This is where the 'fun' in homeschooling software comes in - choose something fun for your child, and they can't help but learn!
Finding a good combination of fun for your child and effective educational value is always a tricky prospect. A number of elements come into play: how your child learns, the curriculum you choose, and how much you want to invest in teaching tools. Your child's preferences with subjects and type of computer games they prefer will help you choose what software programs will be most effective in your homeschool programme. Combine your child's preference with your already choosen curriculum to narrow down the subject of software you will look for. Remember, many facets of learning can be addressed - information learning, problem solving, memorization, and creativity. The final factor that will come into play is budget. You might want to try out one or two titles before committing to a whole learning series. Or look for free software, as well as take advantage of non-traditional 'learning software' - ie, free graphics programs, or online word games.
An important factor to keep in mind is the interaction with other children that your child misses out on when they are home schooled. An important interaction with normal group schooling is the competitive nature of some of the school events. A fun way to introduce a fun and challenging learning environment that will imitate this competitive aspect is with home school software. Competing against a previous "high score' or achieving the next level is a very strong motivator for competitive kids, and adds an element of fun to their homeschooling day.Another interesting attribute of learning software is that they are often designed with enough flexibility so that they will suit a wide range of experience levels and learning speeds. The child is able to start out at the level they are currently studying at, and advance virtually at the maximum speed at which they are capable of learning. The combination of interactivity, challenge, and appropriate skill level makes homeschool software a very accessible learning tool which adds fun to your child's education. The secondary benefit to this adaptability is the ability for you to use the same program for multiple children, regardless of their individual levels and learning styles.
Homeschool Software Can Turn Homeschooling from Boring to Fun!
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Find out how to find and introduce a fun and effective new teaching tool into your homeschooling curriculum. Visit http://homeschoolsoftware.blogspot.com to discover more homeschool software information and more.
Learning New Home School Software Packages
After you choose a software package for use in your homeschool, you may find that it needs a larger learning curve than you at first thought. Say you chose to start using the newest version of Microsoft Office as your test score keeping software for your homeschool. The new version of Office has many, many new features and these can be daunting when trying to get started. For example, there used to be a normal menu bar that was standard in all Microsoft products. This has been replaced by a new menu system called "the ribbon", which is significantly different than any previous Microsoft product.
These types of features can be hard to learn and use effectively in your homeschool. Here are some tips for making the process easier:
- Watch or read online guides from the maker of the homeschool software you chose. Microsoft for example has many online videos and tutorials on how to use their software. If the product you are considering does not have much useful information, you might want to choose a different software package.
- Attend a training class at your local community college. For Microsoft Office, many community colleges have continuing education that is very reasonable, with flexible times.
- You and your homeschooler go through a learning manual or online tutorial. This is useful way to educate, the buddy system. Not only does this help you grasp the homeschool software, but it teaches your children at the same time. You may pick up an idea easier, or they may understand something you missed. Working together may save time and frustration if your child is the one that will eventually be the one using the software.
- Work with other homeschoolers, parents and students in your area. Someone else may already be capable with the software you are trying to use, or their children may already be proficient in the operation of the software. Use these resources and make new friends in the process. Make it a way for the friend's child to gain a little side money while benefiting you.
Of course, it is best to evaluate any homeschool software package before you buy it. But even after evaluation, you may still face a learning curve to get the most out of any software package you end up buying or using. Use some of the ways listed to get up to speed much faster, and have fun doing so. This is the core of homeschooling, learning directly by using and personalized training. And remember to enjoy the learning process.
These types of features can be hard to learn and use effectively in your homeschool. Here are some tips for making the process easier:
- Watch or read online guides from the maker of the homeschool software you chose. Microsoft for example has many online videos and tutorials on how to use their software. If the product you are considering does not have much useful information, you might want to choose a different software package.
- Attend a training class at your local community college. For Microsoft Office, many community colleges have continuing education that is very reasonable, with flexible times.
- You and your homeschooler go through a learning manual or online tutorial. This is useful way to educate, the buddy system. Not only does this help you grasp the homeschool software, but it teaches your children at the same time. You may pick up an idea easier, or they may understand something you missed. Working together may save time and frustration if your child is the one that will eventually be the one using the software.
- Work with other homeschoolers, parents and students in your area. Someone else may already be capable with the software you are trying to use, or their children may already be proficient in the operation of the software. Use these resources and make new friends in the process. Make it a way for the friend's child to gain a little side money while benefiting you.
Of course, it is best to evaluate any homeschool software package before you buy it. But even after evaluation, you may still face a learning curve to get the most out of any software package you end up buying or using. Use some of the ways listed to get up to speed much faster, and have fun doing so. This is the core of homeschooling, learning directly by using and personalized training. And remember to enjoy the learning process.
| Discuss learning new features of homeschool software at my blog, http://homeschoolsoftwareguide.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephen_Maybe |
Top 10 List of Homeschool Curriculum Books Shows Some Surprising Sales Leaders
Homeschoolers prefer to teach their kids at home for a reason. They prefer to use different teaching materials from what is widely used in public schools. But the top 10 list of homeschool curriculum sales might surprise you. The same parents who have pulled their kids out of public school classrooms have brought the public school books into their homes in very large numbers. At the top of the list we found brands like Wordly Wise Vocabulary, Saxon Math and Explode the Code, all widely used in public schools. Based on over 10 years of homeschool sales history from our online retail store, five of the top 10 curriculum brands purchased by homeschoolers are brands widely used in public schools (based on total number of customer orders).
1. Wordly Wise Vocabulary
2. Saxon Math
3. Explode the Code
4. Bob Jones
5. Modern Curriculum Press
6. Shurley English Grammar
7. Easy Grammar
8. Dive Into Math CD ROMs
9. Learning Language Arts Through Literature
10. Alpha Omega LifepacWhat do we conclude? Large numbers of Homeschool parents are using public school books in their homeschool curriculum. They are willing to cherry pick the best of what is available. They enjoy getting the best of both worlds as long as they like what they see. However, there is a line in the sand that is not likely to be crossed by many homeschoolers. Homeschool parents tolerate public school books for "safe" subjects like math and grammar. However, when it comes to more values-based subjects like history and science, public school books are rarely used for Homeschool curriculum brands.
This reveals what is in the heart of many homeschoolers. The reason why they chose to Homeschool in the first place is because of their faith based conviction that public school books have re-written true history to promote political correctness and have abandoned true science to embrace a 'faith based religion' called evolution, despite the overwhelming scientific evidence for creation.
Public school math and grammar books may dominate today's top 10 list of homeschool curriculum books but public school history and science books will need a major over-haul if they ever hope to get there. Meanwhile, most homeschoolers will continue to buy their history and science books from publishers offering a Christian perspective. After analyzing the top 10 list by subject, the results are really not so surprising.
Stepp Bailey is founder and President of Learningthings.com, a unique online store providing both school and homeschool curriculum books such as Saxon Math
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stepp_Bailey
1. Wordly Wise Vocabulary
2. Saxon Math
3. Explode the Code
4. Bob Jones
5. Modern Curriculum Press
6. Shurley English Grammar
7. Easy Grammar
8. Dive Into Math CD ROMs
9. Learning Language Arts Through Literature
10. Alpha Omega LifepacWhat do we conclude? Large numbers of Homeschool parents are using public school books in their homeschool curriculum. They are willing to cherry pick the best of what is available. They enjoy getting the best of both worlds as long as they like what they see. However, there is a line in the sand that is not likely to be crossed by many homeschoolers. Homeschool parents tolerate public school books for "safe" subjects like math and grammar. However, when it comes to more values-based subjects like history and science, public school books are rarely used for Homeschool curriculum brands.
This reveals what is in the heart of many homeschoolers. The reason why they chose to Homeschool in the first place is because of their faith based conviction that public school books have re-written true history to promote political correctness and have abandoned true science to embrace a 'faith based religion' called evolution, despite the overwhelming scientific evidence for creation.
Public school math and grammar books may dominate today's top 10 list of homeschool curriculum books but public school history and science books will need a major over-haul if they ever hope to get there. Meanwhile, most homeschoolers will continue to buy their history and science books from publishers offering a Christian perspective. After analyzing the top 10 list by subject, the results are really not so surprising.
Stepp Bailey is founder and President of Learningthings.com, a unique online store providing both school and homeschool curriculum books such as Saxon Math
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stepp_Bailey
