First Post

noreply@blogger.com (Homeschool Technology) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:14:00 +0000

Homeschool Technology

Ok, so this is my first post regarding technology and homeschooling. I am a full time Database Administrator and part-time homeschool Math teacher. My family consists of me, my DW, DD-12, DD-8, DD-6 and our DJRT-12 (Dear Jack Russell Terrier)

I would like to focus on using technology in a safe and productive manner for both the homeschooling parent and student. Writing a blog like this can be challenging because I have to be both practical (to the parents) and fun at the same time (for the children). Anyway, I have a few basic goals for this blog and here they are:

Be informed of current technology- Much of technology (as it always has) moves at light speed. The greatest "thing" or "method" that you just bought/coded/adopted will be (if it hasn't already) obsolete. I would like to attempt to stay current with the technology issues facing homeschool families.

Be frugal and practical - Let's face it, homeschooling can be an expensive process; expensive in time and expensive in money. If your goal as a homeschooling family is to keep up with the latest trends in technology, you will not be impressed by this blog; in fact you will be bored. My goal; our goal as a homeschooling family, is to use technology where it makes sense. Technology, for us, is a tool, not a lifestyle.

Don't forget the family - My day job is a Database Administrator at a small non-profit but at home I am the math teacher and the general home tech guy. Dealing with computer "users" at work SHOULD BE much different from dealing with "users" at home. It is easy to forget that your "users" are your family. This may include your spouse who has trouble using the new nook color (which you just switched on her by installing Cyanogenmod 7)

Don't forget schooling - We choose homeschooling because... well... "we can". It is not a choice to be taken lightly and I can honestly say that I don't recommend it for everybody; but it is our family's choice. Let's not forget that we are using technology to "supplement" schooling. I may be discussing a new game but I want to emphasize how homeschooling families can best use technology to support their children's education.

Anyway, I've put these goals for me, not for the reader, to make sure that I keep sight of the real goals. I'm new at blogging so be kind and I'll try to keep up as much as possible