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I’m always looking for podcasts or websites that inspire me to find fun and exciting ways to educate my kids. Credit to Titus Dalisay for sending me this list of 50 podcasts that focus on education. Granted, some of the podcasts approach education in its traditional forms but there is still some great information that can be gleaned from them.
Some of the podcasts you’ll find here include:
TED Talks: What should future schools look like? How do brains learn? Some of the world’s greatest educators, researchers, and community leaders share their stories and visions onstage at the TED conference, TEDx events and partner events around the world. You can also download these and many other videos free on TED.com, with an interactive English transcript and subtitles in up to 80 languages. TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading.
Nerdy Cast: Hosted by Nicholas Provenzano, This is an education podcast featuring some of the smartest and funniest people in education. We are going to talk education, technology and pop culture.
Grammar Girl: Grammar Girl provides short, friendly tips to improve your writing. Whether English is your first language or your second language, these grammar, punctuation, style, and business tips will make you a better and more successful writer.
Those are just a few of the great podcasts you’ll find in the informED article, “50 Educational Podcasts You Should Check Out”.
Missing from the list are homeschooling podcasts. Not even one appears there. Homeschoolers have unique and insightful ideas when it comes to education. We have a smaller budget and less staff so creativity is a must for parents who’ve determined to educate their children outside of traditional methods. Maybe next time a list like this is developed at least one homeschooling podcast will be featured.
If you’re looking for a fun way to test your kids’ knowledge about world countries, Tiny Countries takes a very fun approach to learning geography.
Help Tiny in this epic adventure to save the world using his awesome skills in geography!
Dr. Evil and his henchmen have an evil plan to realign the world by moving the continents and forming a rooster-shaped world.
General McIntyre enlists Tiny due to his expertise in geography to help catch these henchmen after they uncover a series of cryptic clues identifying their locations.
Play as Tiny’s character and save the world by using your knowledge of geography to unravel clues.
Tiny Countries is an epic adventure that includes :
- 15 missions over 6 continents.
- 75 countries to be mastered.
- An animated interface to learn about countries, their capitals and famous monuments.
Normally $4.99, Tiny Countries is available for FREE today in the iTunes AppStore. Get it today before the sale ends! Requirements: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 4.0 or later.
Free App Fridays brings you interesting, educational, and fun apps with great value. Free and discounted apps are generally available for a limited time. This offer has not been confirmed outside of the US.
As your kids grow up they’re going to want to start using social media, especially if they see you using it.
Every once in a while I here from my kids, “Are you going to put that on [Facebook/Twitter]?” Since we homeschool my kids don’t face as much peer pressure to be active on social media from their peers. Many of the families we know are choosing to wait rather than dive in.
My oldest son didn’t get on Facebook until he was 16 and I’m thinking that’s probably when we may start letting the others start using social media.
This infographic shares some interesting numbers regarding kids and social media. Knowing this, families need to have a social media strategy.
Set expectations
Even before your kids are old enough to start using social media, you should set expectations. They should know that you do not plan to let the use social media services until you think they’re ready and that if they go behind your back there will be major consequences.
Remove temptation
It’s trendy and cool for ‘tweens and teens to have smartphones these days but you can minimize the temptation by giving them a simple cell phone without a data plans and that blocks texting. If they really need a cell phone to contact you “in case of an emergency” the give them just that.
Define parameters
Once you do decide to start letting your kids use social media, define the parameters. Let them know that you’ll be randomly checking up on them. Require them to friend you on Facebook or any other social media social media service. Be sure to remind them that using social media is a privilege not a right and it can be taken away. Also make sure you go over guidelines and safety tips for using social media.
Stick to your guns
If a situation arises where you need to revoke the privilege of using social media, do it. Don’t hesitate. Don’t be cruel or harsh but make sure that they understand why you’re taking away the privilege. Be clear, understanding, and firm.
It’s not easy parenting in this digital age. Many parents feel ill-equipped to handle the challenges that social media and the Internet bring but with a little prayer, some forethought, and a lot of grace we can navigate the slippery slope of social media.
What do you think? Do you have a specific plan for exposing your kids to social media? Do you share pictures of your kids online? Leave a comment below to let me know!
Think about this…10 years ago this wouldn’t have been possible. Now, because of technology like digital cameras and the Internet, a new species of spider (possibly) has been discovered by everyday people who take a trip to the Amazon. Amazing!
Congrats to Destin (@smarteryoutube) and the team on this discovery.
