Thursday, April 9, 2009

Blown Away!

That is how I am feeling about the response to this blog. I simply cannot believe how many comments have been left! It all serves to reinforce the fact that this is a much needed blog for the homeschooling community. Thank you all so much.

I am going to start by answering the comments.

Beverley - I would love for you to link my blog to the hea magazine. And yes I will try to write a column for you too. I had already downloaded and printed the requirements for publishing in the magazine.

Kathy - please feel free to add anything you learn in your studies.

Joan - I still have to do some research on wikis - and yes you may be right that this would suit a wiki better. I started with a blog because I know how to do it but may transfer it all to a wiki as I learn more about them. Thanks for the Maths Algebra Resource - Purplemath. http://www.purplemath.com/ Helping students gain understanding and self-confidence in algebra. Purplemath's algebra lessons are written with the student in mind. These lessons emphasize the practicalities rather than the technicalities, demonstrating dependable techniques, warning of likely "trick" questions, and pointing out common mistakes. The lessons are cross-referenced to help you find related material, and a "search" box is on every page to help you find what you're looking for. This is a US site but I am pretty sure math is the same the world over.

Gerardine - sorry can't help with the configuration of computers - not my thing at all. I noticed that Dora gave some pointers for you in the comments, so scroll through them for these ideas.

Kylie - I have been reading your blog in the hope that I learn about IVC from you. I wonder how I could use it in homeschooling?

Sharee - Thanks for the reminder about Clickschooling. This is a yahoo group that you join at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ClickSchooling/ ClickSchooling searches the Net to bring you one, terrific educational website each day: Monday-Math; Tuesday-Science; Wednesday-Language Arts; Thursday-History Social Studies; Friday Virtual Field Trips; and Weekends are for Electives -- Art, Music, Foreign Languages and more! What a great idea - maybe one day I will be this organised to be able to do this for Australian homeschoolers!

If there is a topic or subject that you would like a website for - ask me and I will look through the heaps I have in my favourites and see if I find one for you. Similarly I would really like it if you have a favourite site you use over and over again like Joan and Sharee then please share it with us.

Kathryn

1 comment:

  1. Hi Kathryn
    You have me thinking - Home schooling - IVC ? Why not!

    Here is some interesting reading in regards to the use of IVCing and home schooling.
    The Future of Home schooling by Fritz Hinrichs

    Through the use of software packages such as Netmeeting (micorsoft.com/netmeeting) and CU-Seeme (cu-seeme.com) video-conferencing can now be run over the Internet for just a minimal cost. Homeschooling can now enjoy the best of both worlds- economy of scale (the schoolhouse) and home-based professional instruction (the private tutor).
    http://www.gbt.org/state.html

    (http://www.microsoft.com/netmeeting) and CU-Seeme (http://www.cu-seeme.com)

    Source
    http://www.home-school.com/Articles/phs19-fritzhinrichs.html

    This is a us based org - you should investigate a little further - from what I can gather its a private org that runs a virtual school network for home based schooling.

    These tools -- both the computerized curriculum and the video-conferencing system -- can be secured from IEI for as little as $8 a month per student, along with other educational support.

    Source
    http://virtual-community.us/home.htm


    :) Kylie

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