Cool Online Sites to Use with Homeschool Summer Camp Activities!

I was over at Successful Homeschooling the other day and happened across great ideas for what to do with homeschoolers when the sun is out and the temps are up. Here you’ll find many links to all kinds of great ideas that cost little to nothing. Thanks to Carletta for doing such a great job pulling it all together in one place!

Since the object of my blog is to find ways to use technology to enhance learning, I thought I would tell you about a couple of cool applications that you can use to create shareable projects for all your summer adventures!

Reading Anyone?

Any reading activities could benefit from a good dose of Kerpoof.

Kerpoof is a fantastic application that gives kids a way to summarize a book they have read in cartoon form. They can make a cartoon version of the book and even a short movie and save it to share with everyone. From experience, this tool is great because it forces kids to really focus on the most important characters and events in a book.

While I’m on the Kerpoof kick, I was particularly struck by a post by Jimmie on narration problems. A child who is having trouble retelling a story could recreate the story in Kerpoof and then tell you all about it as they show you their cartoon book or movie. They might just surprise you with what they remember when they can make pictures of the story as they see it! Awesome! A quick note…you may have to do a little typing for your child but, hey, that’s quality interaction time, right?

Out & About

And, for those times when you find yourself in the great outdoors, have the kids take lots and lots of pictures! Tell them that you are going to do something really special with their photos when you get home. Then, head over to Beeclip and make a collage with the pictures (you may have to resize the photos you want to use). This could even be a good rainy day activity! There are even cool extras like glasses and speech bubbles you can add to the photos. It is all really easy and fun to use. And you can share and save! Check out my Beeclip featuring me and the doggies (and hubby)!

So, get out there and have a great, adventurous, and creative weekend and make share you share a link to your saved projects on my Facebook page and let me know how things go!

Today's Digital Learners

These days, homeschooled kids have access to so much technology. And, they're using it regularly. So, why not take advantage of it in creative ways to encourage collaboration with others in the learning process?

I am sharing this video because I think it does a great job of showing the importance of using technology to learn. Yes, it's geared towards traditional classroom and learning environments. However, I think it not only validates why you homeschool, but it encourages us to think about how we can use technology to enrich learning with our kids. It's exciting when you think about it because the possibilities are endless!



How are you already using technology in your homeschool? What technologies do your learners have access to on a regular basis (including web-based, mobile phones, GPS units, etc.)?

Homeschool Learning The Flat Homeschool Way, Part I

What in the world is a “flat homeschool”? In a nutshell, and in my own words, a flat homeschool is one where, thanks to wondrous technological advances, almost every homeschooler almost everywhere has access to almost anything. Thanks to technology (internet, blogs, wikis, mobile phones, social media, etc.), every homeschooler has the opportunity to be a collaborator and a creator. The playing field is leveled, or flattened. We are all potential superstars!

Here is what I envision for The Flat Homeschool community:

1) A place where homeschoolers (primarily pre-teens and teens) can come together with ideas that they want to explore, link up with others who are interested in exploring with them, craft a discovery plan, head off into the world to find answers, and collaborate all along the way as they have “aha!” moments.

2) A place where homeschoolers interested in authentic project-based learning can get expert guidance and support (that will be my primary role as "Chief Collaborator").

3) A place where learning and technology go hand-in-hand.

4) A place where we can harness the power of technology in the process of discovery, meaning making, and product creation.

5) A place where learning is natural, organic. It occurs when learners are free to choose what to explore based on passions and interests, however fleeting. It occurs when learners are allowed the time to wander in and out of things, places, and thoughts, asking for guidance only when needed. It occurs when learners can share, discuss, debate, and create with others.

6) A fun and practical community where we are all learners free to politely share thoughts and opinions and bounce ideas off of each other.

So, that's all I'm going to say for now. I want to open up the floor to you. I am interested in knowing what you need and want in a homeschool community that involves both parents and children? What are some interests that your kids are exploring right now that could potentially turn into collaborative projects? Anything else that comes to mind?