Homeschooling with Technology

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Homeschooling with Technology

Practical tech help for homeschool families

Whether you love technology or feel completely overwhelmed by it, this podcast will help you use tech more confidently in your homeschool.

Homeschooling with Technology with Meryl van der Merwe helps homeschool parents and students use digital tools in ways that are practical, efficient, and actually helpful — without turning your homeschool into chaos.

You’ll find ideas for:

using technology to save time
making lessons more engaging
helping students build future-ready skills
exploring AI and digital tools wisely

🎧 Listen & subscribe: Apple Podcasts · Spotify

🎧 New Here? Start with These Episodes

What You’ll Find on This Podcast

This show helps homeschool families use technology intentionally and wisely.

You’ll find episodes on:

🤖 AI tools for homeschoolers
🗂️ Organization and productivity
🎨 Creative tech tools
🧠 Tech skills students should learn
📚 Subject-specific digital resources
⚠️ Healthy tech boundaries and digital safety

This Podcast Is For You If…

you feel behind on technology
you want to use tech without letting it take over
you need tools that actually help your homeschool run better
you want your kids to learn future-ready digital skills
you’re curious about AI, but don’t want to use it blindly

Join Meryl each week for a 15-minute podcast. Listen on Spotify, iTunes, or right here (just scroll down). And be sure to subscribe so that you won’t miss a single episode!

Contact Meryl via her social at Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook.

Latest Episodes from Homeschooling with Technology

Popular resources from this show

Tips for Completing the FAFSA: What Parents Need to Know

392: Tips for Completing the FAFSA: What Parents Need to Know Completing the FAFSA can feel intimidating, but the process has become much simpler than it used to be. In this episode, Meryl talks with Robert Farrington, founder of The College Investor, about what families need to know when completing the FAFSA. Robert explains why […]

Sweet 13 Bonus: My Teen Is Using AI

The network turns thirteen. Every host answers one real question, and Meryl gets the one nobody had to ask five years ago.

Cool History Games

391: Cool History Games Meryl shares a free website that makes practicing history quick and fun: Cool History Games. The site includes several daily history games that work well as a short family activity, a homeschool warm-up, or a transition between subjects. Everything can be played directly in the browser, with no login required. Meryl […]

How Homeschool Families Can Use Airtable

390: How Homeschool Families Can Use Airtable Have you heard of Airtable but aren’t quite sure what it is—or why a homeschool family might want to use it? In this episode, Gina Steffy from the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network explains how Airtable can help homeschool families organize information, keep records, and create searchable collections of […]

Best College Application Resources for Homeschoolers

389: Best College Application Resources for Homeschoolers College applications can feel overwhelming, especially once senior year arrives. In this episode, I share several useful websites that can help homeschool families choose colleges, understand the application process, work through essays and recommendations, and make sense of what happens after applications are submitted. These resources are useful […]

Alternatives to Google search

388: Alternatives to Google search with Jo Ebisujima Google Search has changed significantly with the addition of AI-generated summaries at the top of search results. For students especially, this can make it tempting to accept an AI-generated answer without ever visiting the original source or checking whether the information is accurate. In this episode, I […]

How to Homeschool for Free: A Sample Homeschool Day

387: How to Homeschool for Free: A Sample Homeschool Day Using Free Resources Can you really homeschool for free? Yes — but free curriculum usually requires more work from the parent. In this episode, I walk through what a homeschool day could look like using completely free resources for math, English, foreign language, science, history, […]

How to prepare teens for their first social media accounts

386: How to prepare teens for their first social media accounts Giving a teen their first social media account can feel a little like handing them the keys to a car. We wouldn’t expect a brand-new driver to figure everything out without preparation, and social media deserves the same kind of intentional teaching. In this […]

Is AI Helping Your Teen Learn—or Doing the Learning for Them?

385: Is AI Helping Your Teen Learn—or Doing the Learning for Them? AI can be an incredibly useful learning tool for teens—but only when they use it in ways that support their own thinking and skill development. In this episode, I share a framework parents can use to help teens decide when AI is […]

A Student’s Perspective on Essential Tech Skills for High School

384: A Student’s Perspective on Essential Tech Skills for High School In this episode, Meryl talks with high school senior Ada Anderson about the technology skills she has found most useful throughout her high school years.Ada shares the tools she uses regularly for school, scholarships, personal projects, and staying organized. She also talks about some […]

AI Through a Teen’s Eyes with Sofia Alvarez

383: AI Through a Teen’s Eyes with Sofia Alvarez de la Hoz In this episode, Meryl talks with Sophia Alvarez de la Hoz, a former student in Meryl’s AI for Teens class. Sophia shares what she knew about AI before taking the course, what surprised her, and how her understanding changed as she learned about […]

Summer Tech Challenge 9: Build a Website

382: Summer Tech Challenge 9 – Build a Website Creating a website may sound intimidating, but today’s free tools make it surprisingly simple. This challenge gives you and your children a low-pressure opportunity to experiment with website design and discover how useful this skill can be. Why should teens learn to build websites? A simple […]

Summer Tech Challenge 8: Create a Video Recommendation

381: Summer Tech Challenge 8: Create a Video Recommendation Video creation is becoming an essential skill for today’s students. In this episode, homeschool families are challenged to create a short recommendation video using Canva. Whether you’ve never edited a video before or you’re ready to build your skills, this challenge provides a simple way to […]

Summer Tech Challenge 7: Create a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Story

380: Summer Tech Challenge 7: Create a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Story In this week’s Summer Tech Challenge, learn how to turn Google Slides into an interactive choose-your-own-adventure story. This activity combines creativity, planning, writing, and technology while giving students a fun way to present what they’ve learned. In this episode Why choose-your-own-adventure stories are such engaging learning projects […]

Summer Tech Challenge 6: Create a Custom Map

379: Summer Tech Challenge 6: Create a Custom Map Did you know you can create your own interactive Google map? In this episode, you will learn about Google My Maps, a free Google tool that allows you to create personalized maps with locations, notes, photos, videos, colors, layers, and routes. Whether you’re planning a family […]

Summer Tech Challenge # 5: Design Your Summer

378: Summer Tech Challenge #5 – Design Your Summer with Padlet Summer is the perfect time to experiment with new technology without the pressure of a full school schedule. In this fifth installment of the Summer Tech Challenge, Meryl introduces one of her favorite educational tools: Padlet. Whether you want to plan summer adventures, organize […]

Summer Tech Challenge # 4: Create a Summer Tracker

377: Summer Tech Challenge 4: Create a Summer Tracker with Google Sheets In the fourth installment of the Summer Tech Challenge, Meryl encourages homeschool parents and teens to explore one of the most useful productivity tools available: Google Sheets. Many students today have limited experience with spreadsheets, yet they are an invaluable tool for organizing […]

Summer Tech Challenge #3: Explore Google Arts and Culture

376: Summer Tech Challenge 3: Explore Google Arts and Culture This week’s challenge is simple: explore Google Arts & Culture and discover something new. Whether you enjoy art, history, geography, museums, or interactive games, Google Arts & Culture offers countless opportunities for learning and exploration. From virtual museum tours to historical exhibits, famous artworks, cultural […]

Summer Tech Challenge #2 : Create a Trivia Game

375: Summer Tech Challenge #2 – Create a Trivia Game This week’s summer challenge is to create a trivia game. Students can choose any topic, educational or just for fun, and create a quiz with 10–20 questions. The quiz should use multiple choice, matching, or another format where players select answers on-screen. Episode 83 covers […]

Summer Tech Challenge #1: AI Trip Planning

374: Summer Tech Challenge #1: AI Trip Planning This summer, Homeschooling with Technology is launching a fun nine-week Summer Tech Challenge designed to help homeschool families explore technology together. Each Wednesday in June and July, you’ll receive a short challenge focused on building practical tech skills through hands-on activities. The first challenge explores AI-powered trip […]

Game-based Learning with Boddle

373: Game-based Learning with Boddle In this episode, Meryl interviews sixth-grader Penny Laine Buschle about her experience using Boddle Learning, a free game-based learning platform for students in Kindergarten through sixth grade. Rather than reviewing the platform only from an adult perspective, Meryl invited Penny Laine to spend time actually playing and learning inside Boddle so listeners could […]

4 Digital Tasks Before Summer Break

372: 4 Digital Tasks Before Summer Break: Homeschool Digital Organization Tips Before summer break begins, take time to organize the digital side of your homeschool life. In this episode, Meryl shares four important homeschool digital organization tasks that can save time, reduce stress, and help you keep better records for high school, college applications, and […]

Turning Summer Walks Into Learning Experiences

371: Turning Summer Walks Into Learning Experiences In this episode, Meryl shares how educational summer walks can become meaningful learning experiences for homeschoolers using simple apps and technology tools. 1. Identify Birds with Merlin Bird ID Meryl discusses using Merlin Bird ID from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to identify birds while walking. The app […]

Teaching Tech Skills Through Family Travel

370: Teaching Tech Skills Through Family Travel Have you ever thought about turning family travel into a tech skills classroom? In this episode, Meryl shares practical ways to assign your teens real planning tasks before and during a trip — tasks that build digital literacy alongside life skills. Ideas covered in this episode: 1. Pitch […]

Replay: Finding and Using Online Classes for Homeschooling Effectively

This is a rerun of episode 277 – you can find the original show notes here.

Ways Grandparents and Kids Can Connect Online

369: Ways Grandparents and Kids Can Connect Online Staying connected across the miles doesn’t have to mean just phone calls. In this episode, Meryl shares five practical ways grandchildren and grandparents can build real relationships digitally — with the bonus that several of these also sneak in genuine learning. 1. Reading together over video Alternate […]

AI Tips You Can Use This Week

368: AI Tips You Can Use This Week In this episode, Meryl shares a practical mix of AI tips you can implement right away. What’s covered: 1. Ask Maps (Google Maps) Google Maps has a new AI feature called Ask Maps, currently rolling out. Instead of browsing categories, you can ask specific questions — gluten-free […]

Exploring Space: Interactive Tools for Your Homeschool

367: Exploring Space: Interactive Tools for Your Homeschool The Artemis 2 mission has four astronauts circling the moon right now, and it’s a perfect time to bring space exploration into your homeschool. In this episode, learn about free (and nearly free) tools organized into four categories: learn and explore, games and interactives, simulations, and citizen […]

Teaching Geopolitics and World Affairs to Teens

366: Teaching Geopolitics and World Affairs to Teens Teaching teens about geopolitics and world affairs can feel intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, Meryl van der Merwe shares practical tools and creative ideas for helping homeschool students understand current events, global conflict, geography, and media literacy in ways […]

Padlet Arcade: Free Learning Games for Your Homeschool

📚 Part of our guide: Free online games for homeschoolers 365: Padlet Arcade for Learning Fun In this episode, Meryl explores Padlet Arcade — a fun, free way to turn any lesson into a game your kids will actually want to play. What Is Padlet Arcade? Padlet is a free digital-board tool many homeschoolers already […]

What’s New in NotebookLM

364: What’s New in NotebookLM NotebookLM has graduated from Google Labs beta into a fully featured, standalone tool — and it has grown dramatically. In this episode, Meryl walks through all nine features currently available in the Studio panel, explaining how homeschool parents can use them to save time and how students can use them […]

Gems: Your Custom Homeschool Co-Teacher

363: Gems – Your Custom Homeschool Co-Teacher Google’s Gemini platform now includes a powerful feature called Gems. In this episode, we explore how Gems allow you to create customized AI assistants that can help with homeschooling tasks again and again without rewriting prompts each time. Meryl explains what Gems are, how they compare to […]

Avoiding tech burnout

📚 Part of our guide: Homeschool Burnout 362: Avoiding tech burnout with Melissa Muir In this episode, Meryl is joined by Melissa Muir from Think Curio to discuss an important topic for homeschool families: avoiding tech burnout. While both Meryl and Melissa love educational technology and use it extensively in their teaching, they recognize the […]

Homeschooling with Gemini

361: Homeschooling with Gemini In this episode, we look at how homeschoolers can use Gemini and why it’s worth adding to your tech toolkit — even if you already use ChatGPT. Organization & Workflow “My Stuff” dashboard to quickly access everything you’ve created Model options (Fast, Thinking, Pro) depending on the depth of response you […]

Free Tech Tools Through Your Library

360: Free Tech Tools Through Your Library In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, Meryl interviews Melissa Brander from Pocket Homeschool about the many free technology resources available through your local library. Most homeschool families think of the library as a place for books. But today’s libraries offer far more — including digital tools, streaming […]

How to make beautiful presentations

359: How to Make Beautiful Presentations Presentations are a skill students will use again and again—in middle school, high school, college, and eventually the workplace. In this episode, learn about tech tools that can help homeschoolers (and parents!) create attractive, effective presentations without needing advanced design skills. Tools Covered in This Episode 1. Google SlidesA […]

5 Free Homeschool Resources That Still Hold Up in 2026

358: 5 Free Homeschool Resources That Still Hold Up in 2026 with Melissa Muir Melissa is a longtime homeschool mom of four, a licensed teacher, and the founder of Curio. She shares five free homeschool resources her family still uses regularly today—resources that have stood the test of time and continue to work well for […]

Winter Olympics Resources for Your Homeschool

357: Winter Olympics Resources for Your Homeschool The Winter Olympics are almost here, and if your family will be watching, why not turn that excitement into meaningful learning? In this episode, I share a collection of fun, engaging, and mostly free Winter Olympics resources you can use with elementary through high school students—before and during […]

Pixar in a Box: Free Animation & Storytelling Lessons

356: Pixar in a box In this episode, we explore Pixar in a Box, a free, self-paced course created by Pixar in partnership with Khan Academy. Pixar in a Box gives students a behind-the-scenes look at how Pixar films are made. Lessons are taught by Pixar professionals and connect animation to math, science, art, and […]

Vibe Coding

355: Vibe Coding – What It Is and How Homeschoolers Can Use It Vibe coding is a brand-new term, coined in early 2025 by former OpenAI researcher Andrej Karpathy, and it describes a radically different way of creating software—by describing what you want instead of writing traditional code. In this episode, you will learn what […]

New Year, New Tools

📚 Part of our guide: Homeschool Organization 354: New Year, New Tools Episode Goal Choose one tech tool from this list to explore intentionally in 2026. The 10 Tools Featured 1. ChatGPT and Gemini AI assistants that homeschool parents can use for planning, teaching, and daily life. Ways to use them include: Rewriting […]

Replay: Taking Holiday Photos with Storytelling in Mind

This is a rerun of episode 210 – you can find the original show notes here.

Replay: Digital Christmas Cards

This is a rerun of episode 162 – you can find the original show notes here.

An AI-Powered Holiday Season

353: An AI-Powered Holiday Season Learn how to make this an AI-Powered Holiday Season! If the holidays feel overwhelming, especially for moms carrying the mental load, AI can help you offload decisions, plan your days, generate gift ideas, create activities, and more. 1. Use AI to Create a Manageable Holiday Schedule Tools like ChatGPT […]

Hour of AI: A Free Intro to Artificial Intelligence for Kids

352: The Hour of AI Code.org has transformed its annual Hour of Code into the Hour of AI, offering a wide variety of free, interactive activities that help students understand artificial intelligence—not just coding. Some of the resources we tried out are: 1. AI Quests An interactive, story-driven adventure that teaches real-world Artificial Intelligence applications. […]

STEM Gifts That Build Skills

📚 Part of our guide: Homeschool Science 351: STEM Gifts That Build Skills Meryl discusses why STEM gifts matter for kids and teens—and how choosing the right ones can build creativity, problem-solving, and curiosity. Whether you’re catching Black Friday sales or shopping any time of year, today’s episode is packed with practical ideas for skill-building […]

Learning Real-World Skills Through Game Creation

📚 Part of our guide: Free online games for homeschoolers 350: Learning Real-World Skills Through Game Creation with Matt Dalio of Endless Studios In this episode, Meryl van der Merwe talks with Matt Dalio, founder of Endless Studios, about why game creation—not just game playing—can equip teens with powerful, real-world skills for future careers. Matt […]

AI Companions: The Hidden Danger for Teens

349: AI Companions: The Hidden Danger for Teens We explore the alarming rise of AI companion usage among teenagers and the serious risks these tools pose. While AI can be incredibly useful for education and productivity, AI companions designed to fulfill emotional and social roles present unique dangers that most parents are unaware of. What […]

How a Teen Uses Tech to Master Time Management

348: How a Teen Uses Tech to Master Time Management Host Meryl van der Merwe chats with teen guest, Mishe Breetzke, about how she learned to manage her time more effectively using technology. Mishe, a homeschooled student from South Africa, who is in Meryl’s online Computer Applications class, shares how she realized that feeling “too […]

BaseCampEd: Building Community and Connection for Homeschoolers

347: BaseCampEd: Building Community and Connection for Homeschoolers Host Meryl van der Merwe talks with Morgan Bergstrom, creator of the BaseCampEd app, a new tool designed to help homeschool families build community and connection. Morgan shares how her own homeschooling journey and frequent military moves inspired her to create a platform that makes it easier […]

AI and Critical Thinking

346: AI and Critical Thinking In this episode, Meryl is joined once again by Critical Thinking in the Digital Age instructor Stephanie Simoes to explore how AI is impacting students’ ability to think deeply and critically. The two discuss an MIT study that sparked widespread concern, the concept of cognitive offloading, and how parents can […]

Listener Favorites: Our Top 5 Most-Downloaded Episodes Revisited

345: Listener Favorites: Our Top 5 Most-Downloaded Episodes Revisited In this special birthday edition of Homeschooling with Technology, Meryl Van der Merwe looks back at the five most downloaded episodes of all time! This episode is part of the 12 Days of Homeschool Gold celebration for the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network’s birthday — complete with […]

12 Homeschool Tech Hacks

344: 12 Homeschool Tech Hacks In this special birthday episode, to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network, here are 12 homeschool tech hacks that will make your homeschool more efficient, engaging, and fun! Bonus: Celebrate the 12th Birthday of the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network with giveaways, bonus mini-episodes, a treasure hunt, […]

New Ways to Use Canva for Homeschooling

343: New Ways to Use Canva for Homeschooling Canva continues to be one of the most versatile and homeschool-friendly tools available. In this episode, I’m joined again by Rebecca Brinkman, teacher of the Graphic Design with Canva class at show sponsor FundaFunda Academy. We explore the latest Canva updates for 2025 and how you can […]

Building Worlds in Unreal Engine

342: Building Worlds in Unreal Engine In this episode of we welcome back repeat guest, Matthew Jurison, a high schooler, teaching assistant at FundaFunda Academy, and tech enthusiast. Matthew shares how he first discovered Unreal Engine, why he chose it over other platforms like Unity and Roblox Studio, and why it’s a powerful, free […]

Using Google Translate in Your Homeschool

341: Using Google Translate in Your Homeschool Google Translate isn’t just for travelers trying to decipher a menu abroad—it can also be an incredibly useful tool in your homeschool. In this episode, you will learn creative ways to integrate both the browser version and the mobile app of Google Translate into everyday learning. What you’ll […]

How to Win Scholarships With Video: Tips for Homeschool Teens

Episode 340 — Video Scholarship Tips (with Monica Matthews) Looking for video scholarship tips that actually work? In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, scholarship expert Monica Matthews shares practical video scholarship tips for high school (and younger) students—how to hook judges fast, align your story with a sponsor’s mission, film with simple lighting and clear […]

A Fun Online Hide-and-Seek Game for Kids

📚 Part of our guide: Free online games for homeschoolers 339: Online Hide and Seek Game 🎧 Prefer to Listen? Want the quick walkthrough? Listen to this episode while you plan your next online learning activity. New Here? If you love practical homeschool tech ideas, start here: More Homeschooling with Technology episodes Project-based learning ideas […]

Supporting Your Teen in Online Classes

338: Supporting Your Teen in Online Classes Online classes can be a fantastic way for teens to learn — but only if parents know how to support them well. Every year, many parents are surprised mid-semester when they discover their teen is failing an online class. The truth is: this can be avoided with […]

Homeschool AI Hacks: How to Write Prompts That Work

337: Homeschool AI Hacks: How to Write Prompts That Work In today’s episode, learn how to write better AI prompts for homeschooling—tips, examples, and hacks to save you time and spark creativity in your lessons. Core Elements of a Strong Prompt Role – “Act like a veteran homeschool mom with 10 years of experience.” Grade […]

10 Tech Tools to Make Writing Fun

336: 10 Tech Tools to Make Writing Fun Are your children complaining that writing isn’t fun? Transform writing time into creative fun with these 10 tech tools—each designed to spark imagination and ease the writing struggle. 1. Story Dice Tool: Story Dice Description: Roll virtual icons and weave them into a story—great for melting the […]

How Homeschoolers Can Use Brisk AI

335: How Homeschoolers Can Use Brisk AI In this episode, we look at Brisk Teaching, a powerful ( free for most things) AI Chrome extension designed for educators — and incredibly helpful for homeschoolers. You’ll discover how to: Use Brisk’s “Inspect Writing” tool to check your child’s writing history and detect copy/paste Create auto-graded quizzes […]

Creating an AI policy for your homeschool

334: Creating an AI Policy for your Homeschool We explore why every homeschool family should consider developing an AI policy—and how to do it. As AI tools become more prevalent, it’s no longer a question of if teens are using them, but how. Meryl explains how teens often approach AI differently than adults and why […]

Using Media in Foreign Language Learning

Episode 333: Using Media in Foreign Language Learning In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, host Meryl van der Merwe is joined by two of FundaFunda Academy’s language teachers—Sebastian (French) and Suzette (Spanish)—to discuss how media can enhance the foreign language learning experience. You’ll discover: 🎵 How music supports vocabulary retention and pronunciation🎬 How to […]

Engineering Exploration at Home

332: Engineering Exploration at Home In this episode, guest Mariselle Gonzalez, a former semiconductor engineer, talks about engineering exploration at home. She offers practical ways homeschool parents can spark their child’s interest in engineering—no tech degree required! What We Cover in This Episode: Mariselle’s journey from electrical engineering to teaching and curriculum design The many […]

Scavenger Hunts That Bring Local History to Life

Episode 331: Scavenger Hunts That Bring Local History to Life In this episode, host Meryl van der Merwe revisits a topic she first explored back in episode 41 — scavenger hunts! But this time, she brings fresh insights from her recent European adventures, where she completed three different app-based scavenger hunts in Belgium and France. […]

How I Use AI to Kickstart Creativity

330: How I Use AI to Kickstart Creativity Use AI to kickstart creativity—yes, it’s possible! In this episode, Meryl van der Merwe shares seven practical ways she uses AI tools like ChatGPT to spark and support creative thinking. Hopefully, this will give you ideas on how you can use AI as a helpful collaborator when […]

Useful Technology in Homeschooling Special Needs High Schoolers

328: Useful Technology in Homeschooling Special Needs High Schoolers with Melody Durham In this episode, Meryl chats with homeschool mom, Melody Durham, who shares the tech tools that have helped her dyslexic high schooler succeed. From smart pens to speech-to-text software, Melody explains what’s worked, why it’s made a difference, and how to advocate for […]

Fun Online Group Games to Play With Your Homeschool Co-op

📚 Part of our guide: Free online games for homeschoolers Fun Online Group Games to Play (free) Whether you’re on a long trip, stuck indoors on a rainy day, or trying to connect with faraway family, group games to play online can be a great way to build memories and share laughter. In this episode, […]

Why Scratch is the Perfect First Programming Language to Learn

326: Why Scratch is the Perfect First Programming Language to Learn In this episode, host Meryl van der Merwe is joined by returning guest Matthew Jurison, a homeschool teen. Together, they explore why Scratch is an ideal language for beginners learning to code. What You’ll Learn: How Scratch compares to text-based languages like JavaScript and […]

Learn Chess the Fun Way With Duolingo

Gamified Chess with Duolingo In this episode, we explore Duolingo’s newest addition—chess, which of course is gamified the way their languages are. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why Duolingo has added chess and how it fits into their gamified platform How Duolingo teaches chess step-by-step, making it accessible even for beginners How gamified challenges […]

Free online curriculum

324: Free Online Curriculum In this episode, Meryl shares strategies and specific resources for stretching your homeschool budget by leveraging high-quality free curriculum. You’ll hear about four “all-in-one” programs, dozens of subject-specific tools, how to snag freebies from vendors, and tips for DIYing your own courses with AI assistance. 1. “All-in-One” Homeschool Curricula These comprehensive […]

Google Talking Tours: A Free Virtual Field Trip Tool

323: Innovative Ways to Use Google Talking Tours What Are Google Talking Tours? Google Talking Tours (part of Google’s Arts & Culture “Play” area) are free, guided virtual tours where you explore famous places while a narrator points out what you’re seeing. Think of it as a virtual field trip your kids can take from […]

Replay: How to use Movies in your Homeschool

This is a replay of episode 187. Go to that episode for the show notes.

Online help for homeschool children with learning challenges

322 : Online help for homeschool children with learning challenges Episode Summary: In this episode, Meryl chats with Krisa Wynn about Homeschool Heroes, an online platform designed to support homeschool families with children who have learning challenges — or as they call them, “unique learners.” Krisa shares how the platform provides free and paid resources, […]

Why Math Should Be Fun

321: Why Math Should Be Fun In this episode, host Meryl van der Merwe is joined by Mina Neuberg from Wonder Math, to explore why making math fun is essential. Topics Covered: The connection between math and technology careers Why so many students and parents struggle with math anxiety How a growth mindset can transform […]

Replay: Online Poetry Resources

This is a replay of episode 127. Go to that episode for the show notes.

Virtual Vacation: Travel the World Without a Passport

320: Virtual Vacation: Travel the World Without a Passport Summer is almost here, and while a real vacation might still be a few weeks away, you and your homeschoolers can start exploring the world right now—take a virtual vacation! In this episode, discover Virtual Vacation, a free and engaging website that lets you experience cities […]

Teaching Your Children How to Troubleshoot Tech

319: Teaching Your Children How to Troubleshoot Tech We’ve all faced tech frustrations and needed to troubleshoot tech —whether it’s a stubborn printer, glitchy software, or a bug on your website. As homeschoolers, we have the unique advantage of turning these moments into powerful, real-life learning experiences. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why modeling tech […]

Free Online Tools to Study the U.S. Constitution

318: Free Online Tools to Study the U.S. Constitution Do you really know what the U.S. Constitution says? In today’s episode, Meryl welcomes back veteran homeschooler Vicki Tillman to share free and engaging online tools to study the constitution to help homeschoolers (and parents!) better understand this foundational document. Resources Mentioned: Vicki’s 30-Day Constitution Challengehttps://vickitillmancoaching.com/ […]

How to Use Khan Academy in Your Homeschool (Free Lessons)

317: Using Khan Academy in your Homeschool In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, we explore the many ways homeschoolers can use Khan Academy. While many may be familiar with Khan Academy for math practice, there are many other subjects and tools available that can supplement and enrich a homeschool curriculum. What Is Khan Academy? […]

Mission US: Free History Games That Bring the Past to Life

316: Gamify History with Mission US Games In this episode, we’re diving into how you can gamify history with Mission US games. This immersive, interactive resource has been a favorite of mine for years, and I’m excited to revisit it, especially since they’ve updated their offerings. What is Mission US? Mission US is a […]

Google Arts & Culture Games: Free Learning Fun for Homeschoolers

📚 Part of our guide: Free online games for homeschoolers 315: Google Arts and Culture Games In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, we dive into the interactive games and activities available through Google Arts & Culture. What Is Google Arts & Culture? Google Arts & Culture is a free platform that puts the world’s […]

Google Arts and Culture

314: Google Arts and Culture Google Arts and Culture is a resource I’ve mentioned before, but in this episode we dive into the vast offerings on the site’s homepage. Next week, I’ll explore the games and interactive experiences under the “Play” section. Whether you’re looking for a free art curriculum, a quick educational activity, or […]

3D Modeling with Blender: A Teen’s Perspective

313: 3D Modeling with Blender: A Teen’s Perspective In this episode, Meryl is joined by teen guest Matthew Jurison, who shares his experiences using Blender, a free 3D modeling and visual effects software. Matthew, a self-taught Blender enthusiast with years of experience, discusses how he got started, the skills he’s developed, and why Blender […]

Using AI as a Study Tool

312: Using AI as a Study Tool In this episode, we look at various AI resources and how they can be effective study tools. Please note there are previous podcast episode that go into more detail about all of these tools. Featured AI Tools & Applications: ChatGPT: Creating custom practice questions at different difficulty levels […]

3 Free Online Games to Teach Kids Cybersecurity

311: 3 Online Cybersecurity Games These online cybersecurity games are a great way to teach students about how to keep safe online – and what exactly is involved in careers in this field. Games Reviewed: Gandalf Players try to trick Gandalf into revealing passwords across multiple levels Involves critical thinking and AI prompting skills […]

New Free Online Geography Games for Homeschoolers

310: New Online Geography Games This episode features 7 new online geography games – new to me at least – but some are very new and use AI technology to increase the fun. All are free and can be played with no sign in required. Many allow you to create private rooms to play in. […]

Teach Drawing the Easy Way With Free Online Tools

309: Drawing Made Easy with Free Online Tools In this episode, we’re exploring free online tools to make drawing fun and accessible for homeschoolers of all ages. Whether your child is a budding artist or you’re just looking for a creative activity to incorporate into your homeschool routine, these four resources offer a variety of […]

Navigating Digital Risks with Kid Safe GPT

308:Navigating Digital Risks with Kid Safe GPT Kid Safe GPT is a custom GPT that helps parents navigate the risks in online games and apps and social media sites Key Highlights: Common Sense Media: This website has a page about online games and includes info on risks. The list of games it covers is fairly […]

Prompting 101: A Beginner’s Guide for Homeschoolers

307: Prompting 101: A Beginner’s Guide for Homeschoolers Today’s episode is all about Prompting 101: A Beginner’s Guide for Homeschoolers. If you’re new to AI tools like ChatGPT, I recommend starting with Episode 306: Starting Out with AI in Your Homeschool, where I introduce the basics. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What is prompting? […]

Getting started with AI in your homeschool

306: Getting started with AI in your homeschool Happy New Year! 🎉 As we kick off 2025, it’s clear that AI is set to continue transforming our world—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, we’re diving into how you can begin integrating AI into your homeschool. Whether you’re completely […]

Last-Minute Digital Gift Ideas for Kids & Teens

305: Last Minute Digital Gift Ideas Forgotten to get gifts for everyone? Or just run out of ideas? These unique digital gift ideas are ones homeschool families will love to give or receive! Here are the 12 ideas I mention in this episode. Online Escape Room Experiences Interactive virtual escape rooms themed a the whole […]

AI Assisted Holiday Planning and Prep

304: AI Assisted Holiday Planning and Prep This episode covers AI Assisted Holiday Planning and Prep. Lots of ways to save time on tasks so you can spend time with family and friends. 1. Creating a Detailed Schedule Demonstrated using ChatGPT Example prompt: Sharing entire holiday to-do list Benefits: Breaks down overwhelming tasks Creates day-by-day […]

2024 Hour of Code Highlights

303: 2024 Hour of Code Highlights In this episode, we explore highlights from the 2024 Hour of Code, an initiative during Computer Science Education Week to introduce students (and even parents!) to coding in fun and engaging ways. Whether your children are new to coding or already experienced, there’s something here for everyone. What is […]

Affordable Gaming Gift Ideas for Kids & Teens

302: Gaming Gift Ideas that Won’t Break the Bank Heidi Lathram, is a homeschooler, homesteader, gamer, and educator with over 15 years of teaching experience and she share gaming gift ideas your children will love – and are affordable. Below are links to various things Heidi mentioned in the podcast – you need to listen […]

Tech Tool for Dyslexia: How Lexercise Can Help Homeschoolers

📚 Part of our guide: Homeschooling with Dyslexia 301: Tech Tool for Dyslexia: How Lexercise Can Help Homeschoolers This episode with guest Tauna Meyer from Proverbial Homemaker discusses Lexercise, a tech tool designed to help homeschooling families with children who have dyslexia. Tauna is sponsored by Lexercise but is really seeing a difference with […]

Celebrating 300 Episodes: 15 Tools in 15 Minutes with Exclusive Bonuses

300: Celebrating 300 Episodes: 15 Tools in 15 Minutes with Exclusive Bonuses Join us as we celebrate the 300th episode of Homeschooling with Technology! Host Meryl van der Merwe highlights 15 top tech tools she uses in both her online classes and everyday life. Each tool has been featured at some point over the podcast’s […]

Homeschooling with Technology