More and more, companies are finally starting to realize that parents want a way to let their children safely use digital devices.
Apple and Google have been providing app ratings similar to the ESRB ratings for video games for years now but what do those ratings mean?
In this episode of The Wired Homeschool I take a look at the Apple app rating system and give a brief overview of Google’s new parental control feature: Family Link. Continue Reading →
The homeschooling year has started for many. That means long days sitting around the kitchen table reading books and listening to mom or dad lecture about Algebra or World History.
Maybe that’s the way thing go in your house but my family is out of the house a lot. That means having to do school work in the van sometimes. Maybe the kids can catch up on some reading or do math drills with one of the Kindle Fire tablets.
If your family is like ours you may find yourself running out of power for all of those devices if you’re out of the house for a few hours. That may lead to multiple devices needing to be charged at the same time. Here are 10 Battery Saving Tips When You’re Van-Schooling that will settle squabbles over the power outlets in your van.
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A question I get asked a lot is, “What’s the best tablet for homeschooling?” Honestly, there is no right answer. The one that’s right for you depends on a number of different factors. Some of the things to consider are price, purpose, and performance.
As tablet hardware gets more affordable, we’re starting to see an increase in the number of kid-friendly tablets on the market.
OLPC was originally founded to provide laptops to children in developing countries but soon found that people in wanted to buy their product. Eventually, they started a one-for-one deal that allowed donors to receive a laptop for every one they donated. This is OLPC’s first fully-commercial product and is available in stores like Walmart and Target.
The OLPC XO Tablet runs Android 4.2 on OEM hardware. Image credit: Engadget
Engadget notes in their review that, “OLPC has created a unique approach to helping broaden kids’ knowledge and encourage curiosity,” but “the price feels steep for a children’s toy.
For $149 you get a tablet with fairly modest features: 1.6GHz dual-core processor, 7-inch, 1,024 x 600 display, 1.2- and 2-megapixel front and rear-facing cameras, wi-fi, 8GB of built-in storage, a microSD slot for added storage, and your typical ports for headphones, USB, and HDMI.
The most desirable feature is the Android OS which allows parents to setup multiple user accounts and parental controls for each (a feature missing from the iPad). OLPC has skinned the “Dreams OS” to be kid-friendly but underneath all the bright colors is Android’s fully-featured OS.
You backup your computer, right? What about your smartphone? Backing up your smartphone is something a lot of people don’t think about doing. If you’re a busy homeschooling mom or dad you’ve probably got your contacts, homeschooling events, and more stored on your smartphone. Losing all of that data would set you back for days because you’d have to recreate it all.
It’s pretty easy to backup your smartphone and with these simple steps you can make sure you never lose your data even if your phone is lost or destroyed. The methods vary from device to device so here’s a rundown of the 3 major phone providers and how to back up your stuff so you don’t miss a beat when you replace your old one of if your current phone gets lost or stolen. Show me now before it’s too late!
