So now that you’ve watched this very clever video put together by homeschoolers I am curious to hear what your children know how to do. If their very intelligent parents are online and reading HOTM I can only assume that the children have a clue that texting, emailing, and the internet exist.
My children? They speak a completely different language than me. I consider myself pretty computer savvy, but they add in a language that is a cross between Elvish and Geonosian. (Lord of the Rings and Star Wars) Texting? No problem. Google it? Gotcha Mom! The only things they don’t do are the social networking sites.
So how about it? How tech savvy are your homeschoolers?
Oh that was so funny! They even made this into a whole series on Youtube.
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Angela Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Wasn’t it awesome? It appeared to be in response to someone’s ‘ideas’ of what homeschoolers knew.
Angela’s last blog post..I am still here!
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OK, First let me say…OMGosh that was great! They have it in a nutshell of what the world thinks about our kids socilization. Want to know something funny? I went to public school and there were several guys there that were more like that video then any highschooled homeschooler I know.
Anyway, my kids are really young. 7 and 4 so right now there is very little computer for either of them. I have a couple acedemic games they like and 1 site they got to, but that is all. I was going to wait till they got to be more about 9 or 10 to start having them surf the web and learn about the computer. Is that too late?
Kristin Nitz’s last blog post..Teaching Our Children to Be Homemakers
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Angela Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 10:39 am
I would NOT say that is too late at all! Mine have started in with Starfall and Webkinz but it doesn’t take long from there!!
That cracks me up where you mention the public schoolers. My oldest son is painfully shy and he was when he was in public school…and homeschool co-ops…church groups, etc. There are tons of people who believe that if we would put him in school he would be less shy. I seem to remember there being many shy people in school–and it was part of their personality! I am going off-topic here now…I digress.
Angela’s last blog post..I am still here!
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Kristin Nitz Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
This is one of the site we use for my kids too, but they still are not allowed to surf the web.
Kristin Nitz’s last blog post..Teaching Our Children to Be Homemakers
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Misty (elvisgirl) Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 11:13 am
I agree with you that there were more of “those types” of guys in public school compared to those we’ve met in homeschool circles. Although, as Angela said, shy is just some peoples personality. More than that though, I know from experience how you get boxed into a “type” & feel like you have to stay in the box (in public school). I was a “good girl” & couldn’t even manage to let myself dress the way I wanted in HS. College was awesome, because almost no one knew me…I could finally be myself & wear what I liked & dance at a dance…Oh, and I am way off subject, but I’m commenting, so that’s okay…right??… So, still on that subject, I can tell a difference in my kids compared to me in school years ago. They have a confidence I never had as a youngster.
Misty (elvisgirl)’s last blog post..Spring Break
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Kristin Nitz Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
You both right! It just shocks me to think how many people think that putting your kids in school will “Socialize them”. I mean do they not read the newspapers???!!! You know Misty I had the same problem as you. I was so surpressed by the peers at school that I was not who I wanted to be. I am a much more outgoing person today then I ever was in highschool. It took me a few years after I graduated to realize I could be me and not worry about what others thought! SAD! Public school was NOT a good experience for me at all. The way it shaped me was so horribly wrong. You could say I was one of those who was very abused by the whole thing (in short). I guess that is one of the biggest reasons i decided to homeschool.
I want to share an article with you if you don’t mind. But you have to read the comments too. http://nutbugs.com/what-is-the-goofiest-questions-asked-about-homeschoolers/
Well, as we all know homeschooling is getting bigger and bigger so I hope that maybe in 10 more years there won’t be this stigma that goes along with homeschooling.
As far as those boys, they have a talent for getting the comments of non-homeschoolers out in a funny way! Good work guys!
Kristin Nitz’s last blog post..Teaching Our Children to Be Homemakers
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Angela Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
I love that you shared that blog post. I once got asked how I could possibly homeschool 4 children *EACH* 8 hours a day. Hm. (Did you mean to ask that out loud?)
Angela’s last blog post..I am still here!
So cool! I even stuck around to watch a couple of episodes.
Almost all of my children are tech-savvy to a degree – even my 3 year old.
My second child has taught herself quite a bit. She loves photography and has become a wiz with PicNik. It’s awesome to see the things that she does with her photos.
Kela’s last blog post..I Am So There!! A Woman Inspired Conference
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Angela Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Hi Kela!! How old is your child? That PicNik Program looks awesome and what kind of camera does she use?
I can’t wait to hear more about this from you!
Angela’s last blog post..I am still here!
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Kela Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 1:10 am
Hi Angela! She is 13 (14 in July). The camera that we have right now is a dinosaur (an HP Photosmart). Unfortunately, it just totally died on us. It was fun while it lasted.
I’ve been wanting to get her a new (almost professional) camera, but she wants one of the really small ones.
So, the search is on…
Thanks for the interest. That just inspired me to post some of her stuff..
Kela’s last blog post..I Am So There!! A Woman Inspired Conference
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Kela Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 9:16 am
I did a new entry this morning! :
http://pursuingwhatisexcellent.blogspot.com/2009/06/giving-briahna-her-props.html
Hope you enjoy
Kela
Kela’s last blog post..Giving Briahna Her Props
Angela Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Kela, your family is gorgeous! Briahna is very talented and I love how you spelled her name!
Angela’s last blog post..I am still here!
My oldest is 10. He knows his way around the computer pretty well, but we are not a tech savvy family. We do not have the latest and greatest technology in our home (partly because we choose to live a much simpler life than most and partly because we cannot afford things like cell phones, etc.).
flmom’s last blog post..What & Why – Winn Dixie
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Angela Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 11:08 am
There is certainly nothing wrong with living a simpler life! Honestly I prefer my babies to be outside rather than on the computer. Sounds like you have the best of both worlds in your kids–computer knowlege paired with an appreciation for all things outside of the 5 foot space around the computer desk!
Angela’s last blog post..I am still here!
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Okay, so now to the actual subject today. My kids are more tech savvy than I was at their age. They both use the computer on occassion. They love to paint and type. They also enjoy sites like Starfall. They know how to use a cell phone & play games on it. Both kids have digital cameras. My 8 year old has e-mail, but rarely uses it (and wouldn’t be able to get into it without me…I don’t think. We had an educational computer game when we were kids, but it wasn’t really a computer game…it hooked up to the TV. I didn’t have computer classes until Jr. High & the computers back then were nothing like they are today. The internet didn’t even exist! I was the last class in my high school to take typing on a computer. My kids are 8 & 6, so they are not making U-tube videos or IMing people, but I think they will soon surpass their not so techie Momma.
Misty (elvisgirl)’s last blog post..Spring Break
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Angela Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
It amazes me how many kids are using youtube right now–I am terrified of allowing the kids to do that!
Angela’s last blog post..I am still here!
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Kristin Nitz Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
I know!!!!! So many of my friends (non-homeschool) have their kids on there at young ages. And theya re always asking why I don’t let my son on there. Yea right. Way too scary!!!! Maybe I am wrong and it is safer now, but then the thought of all the time wasted on there.
Facebook too. I have an account, but I go on only 1X a week for 30 minutes. Otherwise you can WASTE so much time!
Kristin Nitz’s last blog post..Teaching Our Children to Be Homemakers
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Angela Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
It is so easy to waste time on social networking sites. I have to limit myself as well.
Angela’s last blog post..I am still here!
Misty (elvisgirl) Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Facebook can totally suck the time away from you. I don’t always get on there even once a week. When my hubby started doing Facebook, he asked how I had time…because he spent a lot of time on there. I explained that I don’t take all the quizzes and update people all the time.
Misty (elvisgirl)’s last blog post..Real Love
That was funny! My son who is 6 always asks each time he has a question – can we google it??
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That was hilarious!!!
)
My kids are; 19(college student),17,15,13 and they all are pretty tech savy. It started with youtube and my sons love for film. He is now a film major in college, so obviously his youtube passion if paying off. LOL
We all have Face Book accounts, and that started when our son went to college. It has been a great way to stay in touch and also to meet his friends. ;o)
)
I personally love FB!!
If I have a problem with something on the computer I always ask my kids first and if they don’t know then their friends usually do.
)
Lesley’s last blog post..Random Pictures
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Angela Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Lesley! I love FB too..add me to your people so that I can gain more info off of you since my kids are the same ages apart as yours and you’ve about made it all the way through! It’s Angela DeRossett on there. My kiddos are 11, 9, 7 & 6. I may be calling for help!
Angela’s last blog post..I am still here!
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Lesley Reply:
June 8th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Angela~~ For some reason I couldn’t find you, maybe I’m not that tech savy, LOL. Could you please put me in as your friend? My name is Lesley Wotton.
)
Thanks!!
Lesley’s last blog post..Walking the Tracks
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All of my kids are self taught techies. They can pretty much pic up a electronic device and know how to do it within and hour or less. My husband says they get it from me. Not exactly sure of it. I love technology being involved in homeschooling. It is a great way to “record” those years and teach at the same time.
Amy F’s last blog post..Introduction
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Angela Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Hehe! My husband says the kiddos get it from me too.
Angela’s last blog post..I am still here!
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My children are very young, too. My eldest will be 7 next week and she is not allowed online just yet. However, I have created a blog for her and allowed her to pick out pieces for it. I’ve created the background and still need to make her a header. As of now, her school assignments (writing assignments) are typed up by me.
But, come her birthday, she will be receiving a child-sized keyboard from grandma and I will teach her to type. Then, after her writing assignments are complete, with my permission, she will be allowed to type them on her blog.
As of now, she looks over my shoulder a lot to see what I’m up to, but she does not sit here and roam. In fact, she doesn’t really even play computer games all that much (though we’re going to change that and use it as a encouragement tool and extra learning “device”).
So, yea, that’s where we stand.
Christin’s last blog post..Boys Room – After Pics
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Kristin Nitz Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
I have a blog for my kids too. “I” use it to record some of their homeschool projects. That way I don;t have to worry about trying to keep all these projects I have photos of them all. I would love to see her blog. Please share your kids blogs. Mine are…
Vincentnitz.com
Raquelnitz.com
Kristin Nitz’s last blog post..Teaching Our Children to Be Homemakers
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Angela Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
My daughter really isn’t interested in the games online yet either and she is 6. She would rather be outside.
I love that both of you moms have websites for your children. I will have to look into doing that as well for my oldest son.
Angela’s last blog post..I am still here!
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My almost 8 and almost 10yo are quite tech savvy. Computers, internet (supervised of course) and most impressively– the surround sound system! They got it all figured out.
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Angela Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Oh yes–you must have the surround sound! LOL
Angela’s last blog post..I am still here!
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Oh and that was an awesome video series! Cracking me up! As to the previous discussion of there being more guys like this in public school, I was in public school myself and always liked a smart, witty and funny guy. I never cared much for “popularity”– which is an odd definition, if you ask me.
Marsha’s last blog post..Waking up crying and a little monster video
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Hey all! Thought I’d jump in on this one….My girls are 14, and 12 and my son is 9…and they are WAY tech savvy. Maddie has been inspired by our own Ms. Bayliss to dive into web design and the whole CODE thing:) She even has started a web site to do blog designs…she’s even had customers. She LOVED the photoshop class she took this year at a co~op. The other two are following right behind her. The girls took a few “virtual” classes this year, in a virtual class with other students and a live teacher. All of the projects and quizzes were either done on the computer or downloaded into PDF’s for submission. IT WAS COOL!! What a learning experience, they LOVED it. Their world is computer….
Hayden is still a little young. He has limited sites that he can go to, but he LOVES having some of his classwork on the computer. This year spelling was..it’s impressive what they learn just from “growing up with a computer.” Their MOUSE is WAYY different than the MOUSE I knew growing up.
These guys are clever….cool videos! Smart guys always win in the end…popularity….schmopularity
peace…or peace OUT if I speak hip lingo:)
lori
lori@allyouhavetogive’s last blog post..
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Angela Reply:
June 9th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
That is awesome that your daughter is learning code! With their clever mama it is no wonder they are so tech savvy!
Angela’s last blog post..I am still here!
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Ohhhh….my girls have blogs too….
http://sweetteame.blogspot.com/
http://gotfreckles.blogspot.com/
http://sweetdesignsbyme.blogspot.com/
GREAT learning experience and the techy way to journal:)
peace…again,
lori
lori@allyouhavetogive’s last blog post..
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Angela Reply:
June 9th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
I will have to check out everyone’s sites!
Angela’s last blog post..I am still here!
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That was hilarious! Our boys, ages 8 and 12, type about 40 words per minute and email daily. They like to check certain sites (Lego.com) on the Internet and upload their Lego creations. They learn Spanish on the computer and sometimes leave comments on my blogs.
Lisa V.’s last blog post..Tackle It Tuesday – Birthday Party
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Angela Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Lisa, I love that your kids post comments on your blog–that is too cool.
Angela’s last blog post..I am still here!
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Very funny stuff!
My comments are a bit belated…sorry!
Thanks to Amy for posting on my blog to let me know about the new way of doing this MEME!
My kids all enjoy using the computer.
They only visit permitted sites. (K-9 is a free and really good “watch dog” program to protect your family)
My daughter, 13 is AMAZING in her “paint” skills and is currently developing coloring pages for children that will be made available on our website soon. (http://www.thebestofhomeschoolfaithandfamilylife.com/)
She hopes to start a small business of her own creating customizes coloring books for children. (Any interested patrons out there? Let us know!)
DD is also the photographer for our online Nature Blog:
http://backyardglory.blogspot.com/
She also has a private blog where she gets to utilize her creative writing abilities and design work!
All the kids are learning typing skills, uploading skills, and basic browsing/reading skills.
We don’t give the kids phones or i-pods, so they are not very familiar with texting and things that go along with those gadgets.
I have found that homeschooling allows us to devote as much time as we want to learning computer skills…we even had another Dad who offered a Computer Skills Co-op for everyone last year…it was great!
Judy’s last blog post..SECOND POST TODAY
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Angela Reply:
June 9th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Thanks for mentioning K-9. My husband and I have been discussing the need for a watch dog type program for our kiddos now that they are so web savvy. We’ve blocked youtube and wikipedia but there are many more that come across as ‘innocent enough’.
Angela’s last blog post..I am still here!
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That was too funny! I even watched the next 2 episodes after that. I have to say, my boys are still young (3.5 and 5.5), but I guarantee they won’t have that problem. They both know their way on a computer. The site they go on are starfall, literactive and nickjr. They can write the address all by themselves. Our parents live across oceans so we use skype and messenger to talk to them, and our kids know much about that as well. They are too young to know what surfing is, but I intend to teach them when the time comes and probably won’t allow it until they reach a certain age.
Joelle’s last blog post..Did somebody say books!
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Angela Reply:
June 9th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Hi Joelle! Are you a military family? I know when my husband deploys (and that is fairly often) the messenger comes in handy!
Angela’s last blog post..I am still here!
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My 8-year-old daughter, unknown to me, got onto my ebay account, bid on a pair of jeans, and won the auction. I got the email telling me my bill. Wow, I was surprised. But, she had watched me selling things on ebay and figured out the system on her own. And the jeans weren’t bad, and her younger sister wore them, too. This was 5 years ago; she’s now 13 and so tall that she wouldn’t be able to find jeans long enough for her on ebay!
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Angela Reply:
June 9th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Oh my goodness! I would be shocked if my child ordered something online! That was pretty clever of her.
Angela’s last blog post..I am still here!
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