This is a rerun of episode 277 – you can find the original show notes here.
Replay: Finding and Using Online Classes for Homeschooling Effectively
April 29, 2026 by Leave a Comment
Padlet Arcade: Free Learning Games for Your Homeschool
March 25, 2026 by Leave a Comment
📚 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 love, and Arcade is its games feature. In a few clicks you can spin up learning games — no design skills required — and use them for review, vocabulary, or a quick brain break in any subject.
Fun Ways to Use Padlet Arcade in Your Homeschool
- Review before a test — turn the week’s material into a quick game.
- Vocabulary & spelling — make word practice feel like play.
- Any subject, any age — history dates, science terms, math facts, foreign language.
- Co-op fun — a friendly group game for your co-op or siblings.
Is it free? Padlet offers a free plan, so you can try Arcade without spending a dime. Meryl walks through how it works in the episode below.
New Here?
If you love practical homeschool tech ideas, start here:
- More Homeschooling with Technology episodes
- Project-based learning ideas for homeschool
- Creative online tools for students
- Browse all homeschool tech resources
In this episode, Meryl explores Padlet Arcade — a game-based learning branch of the popular Padlet platform. She walks through the types of games available, how to find existing games by subject and grade level, and how to quickly create your own AI-generated review games using a topic, a webpage link, a YouTube video, or your own uploaded materials.
Game Types Available in Padlet Arcade
- Multiple Choice: Students select the correct answer from four options. Each question includes an info button with additional explanation.
- Sorting: Items are dropped into two or more labeled categories (e.g., Credible vs. Non-Credible Sources).
- Matching: Classic side-by-side matching game — great for vocabulary, math terms, or key concepts.
- Flashcards: Digital flashcard sets — a built-in alternative to Quizlet.
- Memory Tiles: A flip-and-match memory game for pairs of related terms or images.
- Sequencing: Students arrange events, story elements, or steps into the correct order.
- Fill in the Blank: Students type in missing words or phrases.
Browsing Existing Games
No account is required to play existing games. You can filter the library by:
- Subject: Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Sciences, World Languages, Arts, Health, Seasonal
- Grade Level
- Keyword search
Creating Your Own Games
A free account is required to create games. To get started, click Create and provide one of the following inputs:
- A general topic
- A link to a webpage (e.g., a Wikipedia article)
- A YouTube video link
- An uploaded file (e.g., your own teaching notes)
Padlet Arcade uses AI to generate game options relevant to your topic. For example, using the Wikipedia page for the Rosenbergs (Cold War unit) produced five suggested game types tailored to that content. Game generation takes about a minute. You can edit questions, change the game type, or request adjustments (make it harder, translate to Spanish, etc.) before publishing.
Sharing & Extra Features
- Share via link or QR code
- Leaderboard — tracks scores and speed
- Export to PDF — for offline use or printing.
- Remix — change the game type using the same content, add instructions, or adjust difficulty. You can remix any game in the library, not just your own.
- Save — bookmark games you want to return to.
2 Games about the Rosenbergs mentioned in this episode
Cold War Case Files – select the most accurate fact – multiple choice game
The Rosenberg Case: A Timeline – sequencing game
If you use any of these resources, join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
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What’s New in NotebookLM
March 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
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 to study more effectively.
What Is NotebookLM?
NotebookLM is a free AI tool from Google that works differently from chatbots like ChatGPT or Claude:
- You upload your own sources (PDFs, videos, audio, website links, handwritten notes, pasted text)
- The AI only draws on those sources — dramatically reducing hallucinations
- Free version supports up to 50 sources per notebook
- Linked to your Google account — no separate sign-up needed
- A paid version exists, but the free version is sufficient for most users
New Feature: Fast Research
If you realize mid-project that you need more sources, you can now use Fast Research to ask NotebookLM to find sources on a specific topic. It returns a list of suggested sources you can preview and selectively add — keeping you in control of what goes into your notebook.
The Studio Panel: 9 Features Explained
The right-hand Studio panel gives quick access to all of NotebookLM’s output formats. You can also make any of these requests directly in the chat.
1. Audio Overview (Podcast)
- Generates a podcast-style audio summary of your sources
- Now customizable: choose format (Deep Dive, Brief, Critique, or Debate), language, and length
- Specify what the hosts should focus on, and select which sources to include
- New Interactive Mode: click Join to interrupt the hosts and ask your own questions in real time
- Short format = ~90 seconds, single speaker. Deep Dive = two speakers
2. Mind Map
- Generates a visual mind map of your sources
3. Flashcards
- Creates study flashcards from your sources
- Choose quantity (fewer, standard, more) and difficulty (easy, medium, hard)
- Narrow the topic by typing a specific focus area
- Shareable via URL — students can study from their phone without a laptop
4. Infographic
- Creates a graphical/visual representation of your material
- Text rendering on graphics has improved significantly
- Great for timelines and visual overviews
5. Slide Deck
- Generates presentation slides from your sources
- Choose between Detailed Deck or Presenter Slides (less text on screen)
- Useful when your child needs to give a presentation and already has their research in a notebook
6. Data Table
- Organizes information from your sources into a structured table
- Works even when your sources aren’t strictly numerical data
7. Video Overview
- Generates a short explainer video from your sources
- Choose format: Full Explainer or Brief overview
- Visual styles include: Custom, Classic, Whiteboard, Kawaii, Retro Print, Anime, and more
8. Reports
- Generates formatted reports from your sources
- Study Guide format includes: short-answer quiz, answer key, essay prompts, and a glossary of key terms
- Great for supplementing curriculum or prepping students for AP-style exams
9. Quiz
- Generates an interactive multiple-choice quiz from your sources
- Choose quantity and difficulty level
- Questions are presented one at a time; incorrect answers include an explanation
Bonus Tips
- You can share an entire notebook with others
- Use the chat for custom requests — e.g., “Give me a 10-question quiz with 3 multiple choice and 3 matching” and ask for a separate answer key
- Non-homeschool tip: Drop in any large document (like a medical insurance policy) and ask specific questions to find information fast
Links & Resources
- NotebookLM: notebooklm.google.com
- Episode 297 (NotebookLM intro):
- Meryl’s AI class: fundafundaacademy.com
If you use any of these resources, join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
Gems: Your Custom Homeschool Co-Teacher
March 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment
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 custom GPTs in ChatGPT, and how homeschool parents can use them to create interactive lessons, quizzes, games, and study guides.
She also shares an example she created — an interactive Oregon Trail adventure built using primary sources. In this activity, students pack their wagon, make decisions along the trail, and encounter historically accurate situations while learning key vocabulary and concepts.
Another helpful feature of Gems is the ability to upload documents and resources. This means you can add textbook pages, standards, or other materials and have the AI generate review questions, activities, or learning games based directly on those resources.
The episode also introduces Gem Labs, an experimental feature from Google Labs that allows you to create multi-step workflows.
AI tools are changing rapidly, and Gems provide another way for homeschool parents to turn AI into a creative co-teacher that enhances learning rather than replacing it.
In This Episode
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What Gemini Gems are and why they’re useful
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How Gems compare to custom GPTs in ChatGPT
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Examples of built-in Gems provided by Google
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How to create your own Gem
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Using uploaded documents to guide AI responses
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An example Oregon Trail interactive history game (you need to be logged in to Google/Gemini to try it)
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A brief introduction to Gem Labs experimental workflows
If you use any of these resources, join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
Avoiding tech burnout
March 4, 2026 by Leave a Comment
📚 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 need for balance. With recent studies showing that adults, teens, and even younger children are spending significant hours each day on screens, it is crucial to be intentional about how technology fits into homeschool life.
In This Episode We Discuss:
1. Modeling Healthy Tech Habits
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Taking intentional breaks from screens (such as a weekly tech Sabbath)
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Using app timers and boundaries
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Recognizing signs of burnout in ourselves as parents
2. Scheduling with Intention
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Designing a homeschool week that includes both online and offline learning
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Avoiding back-to-back screen-based classes
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Building in screen-free days or partial screen-free times
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Being cautious about fully online homeschool models
3. Creating Non-Tech Extensions
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Keeping accessible hands-on materials (Legos, puzzles, art supplies)
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Using board games to build strategic and social skills
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Encouraging real-world interviews and community connections
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Taking advantage of local library programs and resources
4. The Power of Storytelling (Off-Screen Learning)
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Using storytelling cards and story dice
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Incorporating persuasive speaking games like Snake Oil
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Leveraging graphic novels for deeper engagement
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Connecting storytelling to other subjects (science, history, financial literacy)
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Creative language-learning strategies like storyboarding from screenshots
Melissa shares practical examples from her own homeschool routine and emphasizes that the goal is not to eliminate technology, but to use it thoughtfully and avoid burnout.
Where to find Melissa
Website: thinkcurio.com
If you use any of these resources, join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
Homeschooling with Gemini
February 25, 2026 by Leave a Comment
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
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“My Stuff” dashboard to quickly access everything you’ve created
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Model options (Fast, Thinking, Pro) depending on the depth of response you need
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Export directly to Google Docs, Sheets, or Gmail to save time and avoid formatting issues
Accuracy & Accessibility
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Double-check response tool to verify factual information
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Listen feature to have content read aloud
Canvas Mode (Editable Workspace)
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Split-screen setup with chat on one side and a live, editable document on the other
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Format, revise, delete, or add directly inside Gemini
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Ideal for building lesson plans, worksheets, and activities
Image Generation
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Create custom visuals for lessons or social media
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Refine prompts to improve perspective and clarity
Two specific use
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SAT-style practice questions developed in collaboration with College Board
- Generate local field trip ideas within a specific radius
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Integrated Google Map view to visualize locations when doing a search on something within a specific radius from a place
All features discussed are available in the free version.
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.
Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode
Free Tech Tools Through Your Library
February 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
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 platforms, language programs, research databases, maker spaces, and even technology devices you can borrow.
Melissa shares practical ideas and specific tools to help homeschool families take full advantage of what libraries are already offering — often completely free.
Tech Resources You May Not Realize Your Library Offers
1. Basic Tech Access
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Public computers
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Low-cost or free printing (including color printing)
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Wi-Fi access
If you occasionally need color printing or device access, your library may be an easy solution.
2. Library of Things
Many libraries now offer a “Library of Things,” which allows you to check out non-book items such as:
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Laptops
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Wi-Fi hotspots
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Video games
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Media converters (such as VHS-to-digital tools)
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Devices and other tech equipment
Not every library has this, but it is becoming increasingly common.
3. Audiobooks and Audio Devices
Beyond traditional books on CD, libraries now offer:
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Playaways (self-contained MP3 audiobook players)
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Vox Books and Wonderbooks (print books with built-in audio)
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Tonie figures or Yoto cards (at some libraries)
These can be especially helpful for emerging or struggling readers.
4. Library Apps
Check whether your library offers:
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A dedicated library catalog app
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Libby (eBooks, audiobooks, magazines)
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Hoopla (instant borrows, movies, documentaries, audiobooks)
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Kanopy (streaming documentaries and films, often with a kids section)
Kanopy, in particular, can be a powerful tool for homeschool families who use documentaries as part of their curriculum.
5. Language Learning Platforms
Many libraries provide free access to programs such as:
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Mango Languages
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Transparent Language
These platforms offer structured lessons and can serve as a full curriculum or a supplement to your existing language studies.
6. Homework Help and Tutoring
Some libraries offer online tutoring platforms (such as Brainfuse), where students can:
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Ask questions
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Get homework support
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Receive help explaining difficult concepts
This can be invaluable when a concept simply is not clicking at home.
7. Research Databases
Libraries often provide access to academic databases, including:
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Elementary and middle school research databases
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Historical newspaper archives
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Scholarly research tools for high school students
These are especially important for:
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Teaching research skills
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Finding credible sources
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Preparing students for college-level writing
In a world of quick AI-generated answers, learning how to use databases is a critical skill.
8. Maker Spaces
Some libraries now include maker spaces equipped with:
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3D printers
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Laser cutters
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Coding tools
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Specialized tech equipment
These spaces allow students to experiment with technology that may be too expensive to purchase individually.
9. Library Programming
Libraries frequently offer workshops and events that may include:
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Coding sessions
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Digital media workshops
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Technology restoration projects
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Creative tech activities
Always check your library’s event calendar. And if you do not see something you need, ask — librarians often welcome suggestions from their community.
Where to find Melissa
Website: www.pockethomeschool.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pocke
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pock
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pocke
Blog post: Techie Homeschool Library Resources
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.
Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode
How to make beautiful presentations
February 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment
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 Slides
A familiar starting point for many students. Google Slides now offers much stronger templates than it did in the past. And SlidesAI is an add-on that uses AI to speed up the process of slide creation.
2. Prezi
A non-traditional presentation tool that uses zooming and spatial movement instead of linear slides. Prezi is great for helping students think differently about how information connects and when a more interactive format makes sense.
3. Canva
Canva offers a huge variety of beautiful presentation templates and layouts. Students can:
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Start from a template
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Build slide-by-slide using layouts
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Present directly from Canva or share via link
4. Gamma App
An AI-powered presentation tool that quickly creates visually appealing slides from notes or structured prompts. Use ChatGPT or Gemini to plan content first, then import it into Gamma (referral link) to save time—while still editing images and content to ensure accuracy and quality.
Here is an example: an interactive “Journey of Molly Kelly” presentation used in a middle-school co op class.
Classes Mentioned
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Computer Applications (full-year teacher-graded or self-paced parent-graded)
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Graphic Design with Canva (graded semester elective or self-paced, parent-graded version.)
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Intro to Artificial Intelligence (half-credit, one semester)
If your kids create a presentation they’re proud of, come share it in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook—we’d love to see it!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode
5 Free Homeschool Resources That Still Hold Up in 2026
February 4, 2026 by Leave a Comment
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 real homeschool families.
These aren’t just quick links. Melissa explains how her family actually uses each tool, from self-paced science lessons to gap-filling math, audiobooks for reluctant readers, gamified learning for younger kids, and leveled current events for middle and high schoolers.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
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Nearpod – Interactive, student-paced lessons with VR, activities, and assessments Also listen to episode 293 where Melissa goes into more detail about Nearpod.
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Khan Academy – Free courses for gap filling, mastery, and exploration. And listen to episode 317 where Meryl shares more ideas about Khan Academy
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Libby – Using library audiobooks and ebooks to support reading and spelling
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Freckle – Gamified math and reading practice for younger learners
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ENGOO Daily News – Leveled current events with discussion and writing prompts
Where to find Melissa
Website: thinkcurio.com
If you use any of these resources, join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
Winter Olympics Resources for Your Homeschool
January 28, 2026 by Leave a Comment
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 the Games.
These resources cover history, geography, science, music, critical thinking, and more, with very little prep required.
Resources Mentioned
Official Olympics Website – Milano Cortina 2026
Explore schedules, events, host locations, and track the Olympic torch as it travels toward the opening ceremony.
Athlete365 Stories
Behind-the-scenes articles and videos featuring athlete preparation, Olympic Village life, and what happens before competition begins.
15-Minute Olympics Music Lesson – Music in Our Homeschool
A free mini-lesson exploring Olympic music and official songs—short, engaging, and easy to use.
Science of the Winter Olympics (NBC Playlist on YouTube)
Short, engaging videos explaining the physics and math behind Winter Olympic sports like bobsledding and aerial skiing.
Best for middle and high school, but fascinating for all ages.
Olympics History & Culture Unit Study (Grades 4–8)
A low-cost mini unit study covering Olympic history, culture, and the differences between the Summer and Winter Games.
Web-based, hands-on, and reusable for future Olympics.
Free Digital Olympics Breakout (Escape-Room Style Activity)
A fully online breakout activity where students solve clues to unlock the Google Form and “win” the challenge.
Great for families or small groups. Estimated time: ~45 minutes.
FanSchool Olympics Medal Prediction Game
Students predict medal counts by country and learn geography along the way.
Free to play, with possible prizes for top predictions.
Winter Olympics Bingo (Free Printable)
A fun way for the whole family to stay engaged while watching events, learning about flags, countries, and sports.
Use code WINTER (free through February 22).
If you use any of these resources, come join the conversation in the Homeschooling with Technology Community on Facebook and let us know which ones your family enjoyed most!
Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!
