home schooling

Technology has really had a dramatic impact on every area of our lives in the last few years, particularly with the rise of smartphones and tablet computers. While those gadgets have had an undeniable effect on communication, business and productivity, one of the most interesting areas that they’re changing is education. Kids have access to an incredible range of different apps, from Spanish to math, history, science, biology and everything in between. For homeschoolers, the last few years have brought huge blessings. You’re no longer limited to working only out of physical schoolbooks, thanks to Internet programs, online homeschool curricula, etc. However, apps for tablets and phones give you and your kids the chance to delve even deeper into subjects that interest them (and those that they might be struggling with). For example, if you have a young reader struggling with English, the iPad app “How Rocket Learned to Read” is an excellent way to introduce kids to letter sounds, but it combines learning with animation and lots of fun. For older kids, Grammar Up HD makes a great way to brush up on grammar rules (it’s a multiple-choice quiz format, with over 1800 questions). If your kids (like mine) have a love for science and the natural world, there are plenty of apps out there. Britannica Kids: Volcanoes is an awesome app for learning about volcanism, and Star Walk (one of my child’s FAVORITE apps) is an excellent introduction into astronomy and the star/planet details offered by the app are great. History and geography haven’t been left out of the mix, either. Virtual History ROMA takes kids on a trip through the ancient city of Rome and introduces them to some of the wonders of the world, like the Colosseum. If you want something a bit more in-depth, then give AP US History a shot. It’s a complete study plan with tests, flashcards and quite a bit more to help your child not only learn about US history, but really get to know our nation’s past. There are even some excellent apps for art, music and creativity. From drawing and painting apps (like SketchBook Pro) to Inkpad and Symphony Pro, there are some killer apps that will really help your child learn more about these essential areas and even give them the chance to explore their interests here. As any homeschooling parent knows, finding good art and music lessons that really engage your kids can be a huge headache (that coloring book gets old after a while!). One of the most interesting innovations with tablet and smartphone apps is the numerous options for accessible learning. In schools, kids with learning disabilities have a really hard time. It can even be tough for homeschooled kids with those challenges to get the best education. You’ll find quite a few accessibility apps that help make learning easier. In fact, the iTunes Store has a whole suite of special education apps, from communication to hearing, language development, literacy and even life skills.