Archive for the ‘Visual Media’ Category
What Gaming Can Teach
In this world of technology there is more instance of children playing video games than board games. And although endless hours of gaming is not a good practice there are some learning advantages to video games.
Obviously, many subjects at different grade levels are offered through computer games but regular video games can teach too. The new technology of the Wii system allows for fun, fitness and learning as well as developing hand-eye coordination. Some games require strategy and logic to advance, keeping the mind at work. Many “Sim” type games offer chances of social interaction, worldly knowledge etc. from the safety of your own home. You can learn about finances, schedules and more through a simulated character. Even games that have a child looking after a pet can help to develop responsibility. And some games offer a chance for kids to join together in teamwork in order to win the game.
Although video games can be overpowering for many children, when played in moderation, they can provide a form of education as well.
Wouldn’t you love to have an entire lesson in one box! Well you can with educational CD-ROMS.
Many educational computer games include the basics for lessons in English, Math, Art, Geography, and other languages. An hour of playtime with one of these computer games can include an entire lesson without the children even realizing they are learning. It is a lesson of fun in a box (monitor)!
For many homeschoolers, learning is an integral part of their life, their everyday routine. Every day there is learning whether it be in the classroom, on a field trip or running errands.
It is important to encourage learning. An easy way to do this is giving educational gifts. A book, a game, a science kit or even a craft kit all have the potential to inspire learning in children. Don’t forget educational video games too – fun and learning together! Inspire learning not only in your own children, but other children to whom you give gifts.
So what makes home-schoolers qualified to teach our children? Well, obviously we can’t know everything, but we can look it up and learn it along with them, relegate to a professional or provide instructional video to teach the lesson.
Many times, the tip for teaching a subject that is not familiar is to read ahead. Staying a chapter or two ahead of your student will allow you to help them learn and answer their questions. Field trips can also be used in place of a lesson that you may not know as much about. Let the experts help you! Instructional DVDs can also be helpful. A DVD that teaches French can be a useful resource for parent teachers that haven’t any French background. The key to teaching what you don’t know is to know where to get help!
As the parent of a home-schooled child, it’s important to stay on the cutting edge of educational technology. Out of the many unfair claims that are constantly hurled at home educators, the idea that they are “out of touch” might be one of the most damaging. Public school systems are often woefully out-of-date in the technology department. Budgetary complications alone generally keep small school systems from being able to afford nice, new computers for their entire student body.
Home-schooled kids have an obvious advantage in that they don’t have to wait their turn to use a computer. Nor do they have to add their names to waiting lists before finally getting access to educational DVDs for children. Just as one-on-one instruction does a wealth of good for a young student, so does easy access to critical learning materials. In the 21st century, DVD players and computers are the bread and butter of study aids – in addition to books, of course.
What happens when the homeschool parent/teacher is not in the mood to teach one day? Fatigue, illness or whatever complaint can keep a parent/teacher out of the classroom but it is their responsibility as a homeschooler to give the kids a good educaton.
This is a great time to assign a project. Create a powerpoint presentation, write a story, create a comic book. All these ideas are creative and can be done individually by the child. Or, provide them with a learning video and let them learn from a different teacher that day. There are many ways a child can be educated and there is nothing wrong with them working alone sometimes. This gives them some independence and encourages them to look up things on their own.
You’re probably aware by now that the public schools routinely make a mockery of our kids’ education. Underpaid teachers are expected to do the best job possible with inferior materials and ill-considered curricula. It’s an experiment that was destined to fail from the beginning, but nowhere is that more obvious than in the realm of mathematics. Math skills remain applicable for our whole lives; engineers, physicists and many other folks with noble vocations rely on them each and every day.
For that reason, it’s up to parents to take matters into their own hands. In order to guarantee that your child gets the best, most well-rounded education possible, you’ll need to teach him some educational math games. Kids are generally computer savvy, so they might be able to get the CD ROM games up and running easier than you can. Don’t feel embarrassed – it’s absolutely essential that children are well versed in computers as well as math. Their futures depend on it.
An auditory learner is one that learns better with hearing. The more sounds that can be brought into the lesson, the better this learner will understand.
Sounds can be from reading aloud, books on tape, movies on DVD or video, computer games and more. Music is also a strong teacher for auditory learners which means rhyming, rhythm and beats can help enforce lessons. Singing multiplication tables, rhyming poems about history or stomping out spelling words are all great learning devices for auditory learners.
Understanding learning styles can create a more effective learning environment. A child will learn better when his/her learning style is addressed. This is especially helpful for subjects where they are struggling.
A visual learner learns by seeing. One of the best methods to teach visual learners is through video, DVD or other movie type media. There are many different educational videos that span all subjects. Using visual media throughout a lesson will help increase their ability to learn. Picture books, posters, maps, flash cards and other types of visual materials will also help this type of learner.
Conscientious parents can be wary of the dangers lurking online – and understandably so. The Internet is chock full of images and pieces of information that are only suitable for a mature adult. But that harsh reality is no reason to deprive home-schooled students of benefits of computers. As a preventative measure, you can install software that restricts access to morally reprehensible Web sites.
Educational PC games provide a safe learning environment where kids can hone their academic skills while enjoying themselves at the same time. These experiences are especially rare in public schools, where learning comes to be associated with drudgery and rote memorization. By keeping your home-school curriculum fresh, you can guarantee your child’s interest and full participation.