Welcome to Home School Tech Mom

Welcome to HomeSchoolTechMom.com - a technology blog designed to help homeschool parents educate and prepare their children for the 21st century.

As a veteran homeschooler I used to believe that all you needed to to facilitate learning was a kitchen table and a library card. When my boys were only 4 & 7, their needs were simple… books, books, and more books.  Plus a little bit of nature study and a lot of fun.

Through the years, I have dutifully purchased and used canned curriculum for subjects like English & Math, but the focus of my homeschooling was always on staying in touch with the "real world". Which is why I chose to supplement their book learning with: concerts, plays, trips to the museum, and outings to the park.  In addition, we've attended hundreds of field trips, participated in homeschool co-ops; and became involved in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Civil Air Patrol. Last, but certainly not least, I tried to encourage my boys to learn to use computers and navigate their way around the internet.  Even back then, I had a strong feeling that computers were going to be the wave of the future.

Nine years later, my boys are now (13 & 16), while they still love books, being in nature, and having fun... their educational needs have become more sophisticated. Canned curriculum is rarely seen in my house. While we may still treasure our library card, you are more likely to find laptops, rather than textbooks, spread across our kitchen table. Today, my sons do the majority of their homeschooling online. They are truly are tech savvy teens, and are well on their way to being 21st Century leaders.

A typical school day at my house utilizes many forms of technology. In my definition of the word, "technology" can mean anything from: software programs, distance learning classes, internet research, documentaries via streaming video, e-books, audio podcasts, online meetings with mentors, books on CD, and even just playing on the Wii. (Trust me... in a future post I will qualify how letting your kids "play" on video game consoles can actually be educational.)

This is a wonderful time to be a homeschooling parent. With the technology that exists today, we have the power to improve our children's educational experience and achievement. Our kids are free to engage in learning anytime and anywhere. They are acquiring the skills to be part of the 24/7 model of lifelong learning. How exciting for both... them and us!

The difficulty that many homeschool parents face is how to keep pace with this rapid proliferation of education and technology. Now, more than ever, there is a greater need for help in finding, organizing, and retrieving the technological information that is most important.

That's where I can help.

As a Tech Savvy homeschooler I am constantly on the lookout for cutting edge technologies that can help my family. My quests may range from web-based tools to edit digital photographs, online classes that teach C++ programming, or educational games that reinforce art and music appreciation. Since I am on a tight budget, like most homeschoolers, I always have an eye out for technology that is inexpensive or FREE.

My goal, in creating this blog, is to provide tips, tricks, and technology to help other homeschooling parents.  It is my hope that by visiting or subscribing to Homeschool Tech Mom, you too wil learn about all the wonderful technology that's out there - ready and waiting for us to use.

P.S.  If you have specific subjects or questions that you'd like to see this blog address, please feel free to post a comment or drop me an email. Chances are, whatever it is you're wondering about, some other homeschooling parent is wondering about it too.