October 4, 2023 – Is Internet Learning a Good Thing? What Are My Options?

Mercy Every Minute

Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor

Delight or Danger?

When I am at a loss of what to teach or how to teach it, I often look for help online. Online learning, tutoring, and apps can be very helpful in our homeschooling and there are so many delightful options. Personally, half of my high schooler’s courses are online or are digital courses this semester.

However, the internet can also be a foe in our homeschool if we are not careful, especially if used for recreation, socializing, or boredom. The draw for our virtual attention can be great. It is not that we don’t trust our children, it is that we don’t trust what can pop up virtually. Some safeguards are:

• Parents have filters and parental controls in place and check filter reports regularly.
• If schoolwork calls for computer usage, know when and where so that it can be safely monitored.
• Computers, phones, tablets, etc. are to be used in an open area, and not hidden away.
• Time limits are placed on computer/phone/tablet usage.

In our home, if there had been too much electronic activity that day already, i.e., they watched a video or played a game, etc., then no more virtual activity until they have done something productive, creative, hands-on, physical, or chore related.

Even for parents, we all know that five minutes online or on our phones leads to twenty, and then before you know it, we’ve clicked our way into frustration as everything else piles up around us. Internet use can be a delight or a danger, so we must proceed cautiously and with wisdom.

God gifted you with these children, and He will equip you. You are not a failure. You have a Faithful God writing your story. He will complete the work He begins.

“My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my life . . .” Psalm 73:26

~ Deborah

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Stacy Farrell

HomeschoolAdventure.com

Right at Your Fingertips

Back in the day, I accessed the internet via a dial-up modem that screeched and squeaked its way onto the world wide web. It seemed to take forever. Once it finally made a connection, if someone picked up the phone to make a call, that internet connection was lost.

We’ve come a long way from “back in the day.”

With fiber optics, 5G, and lightning-fast connections—the internet has woven itself into the very fabric of our daily lives.

Blessings Abound

The web has become an indispensable tool, reshaping the homeschooling experience in ways we could have scarcely imagined a decade ago.

Now a world of learning is at our fingertips.

Teaching your students to write? With just a few clicks, you can find helpful posts like:

• Fun Creative Writing Topics and Prompts for Third Grade
• Persuasive Writing Examples and Prompts for Kids
• 20 Picture-Based Writing Prompts and Ideas for Kids
• 9 Powerful Ways to Start an Essay That Positively Impacts Readers
• 55 One-Sentence Writing Prompts to Kickstart Your Student’s Stories

Want to help your students develop critical thinking skills and learn how to be persuasive? A few more clicks and you can land on:

• 240 Philosophical Questions for Deep Critical Thinking & Debate
• How can we help our children become critical thinkers?
• 150 Good Argument Topics for Essays

Danger in Our Midst

But with the blessing of easy access comes certain pitfalls:

• Overwhelming Information: There is so much information available, it’s easy to get analysis paralysis.
• Digital Distractions: Raise your hand if you’ve ever lost hours to the black hole of social media or a clickbait article (guilty as charged)!
• Safety & Reliability Concerns: The internet’s vastness means there’s content that might not be age-appropriate or appropriate for any age!

In the grand tapestry of homeschooling, the internet is a colorful thread. It’s brought unparalleled resources and community right to our fingertips.

Yet, like many tools, it requires a measured approach.

By setting boundaries, attentively checking in on our children’s online activities, and intentionally unplugging on a regular basis, we can enjoy the best the web has to offer—without getting snared in its sticky strands.

His love,
Stacy

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About the author

Surprised by Jesus, Stacy went from an unmarried, childless, thirty-something career woman to a Christ-following wife of more than twenty-eight years with two sons she homeschooled K-12. She battled fear and overwhelm, but survived and thrived. Author of more than fifteen books—including the award-winning Philosophy Adventure and newly released Food Prep Guide, she loves to equip and encourage homeschool families. Visit her at HomeschoolAdventure.com or at her newly-launched site: FoodPrepGuide.com.

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Sherri Seligson

The Internet: A Good Source for Education?

Using the Internet as an educational tool has been a topic of concern for parents ever since computers were first brought into the home. And since 2020, homeschoolers have been overwhelmed with increasing choices of virtual learning, online classes, and even YouTube instruction. Is all this good?

Well, yes. And no.

Virtual learning can be a useful tool. A short video animation of the water cycle might help your child better understand a process that can’t be easily explained with a dialogue or a couple images. Difficult-to-grasp concepts, such as converting fractions to percentages might overwhelm Mom or Dad, but they will be easily explained by an online math tutor. Watching someone walk the site of an ancient battle might bring history to life in a way that a textbook cannot. And virtual classrooms can provide organization, instruction, accountability, and even grading!

However, the Internet can be a quicksand of diving deeper and deeper into topics that drift from an original search. It is open to others’ worldviews and potential connections with individuals who might have less-than-positive motives for your children. We need to protect them from these concerning issues.

Frankly, using Internet learning is a decision that will vary from one family to another. It may even be different for each child in your home. I suggest that you prayerfully consider what sites and virtual contacts you let into your home. If there is a class you are interested in, look at the company’s statement of faith and the reviews. Preview as much as you can. Keep your children’s computer use in the public spots in your home so there is always visual accountability.

And most importantly, have frank conversations with your children so they are aware of both the dangers and blessings of this tool. They should be learning how to navigate this issue while they are under your wisdom and influence so they are prepared to make wise decisions when they grow up.

About the author

Sherri Seligson, M.Ed. is a 21-year homeschool mom, marine biologist. Authoring Apologia’s science courses, instructional videos, and more, Sherri loves encouraging moms and teaching families the wonders of God’s creation. www.facebook.com/SherriSeligsonAuthor

Pillar of Faith

Diane Heeney

Balancing Technology in the Homeschool

The Bible teaches balance, and balance is critical when it comes to computer learning. We live in a technological age. Teaching our kids responsible stewardship of time and resources is as important as helping them become tech savvy.

We’ve done various approaches in our home education, ranging from physical books only, to completely online. Here are some observations we’ve made:

• Teaching online safety/discernment is a must (Psalm 101:3).
• Phones should not be allowed during school, meals, or family time.
• It’s wise to teach typing with correct form and grammar usage, using an actual keyboard. Kids think if they can text, they know how to type, which is not necessarily true.
• Screen learning should be balanced with physical learning materials and activities like using actual books, doing experiments, and creating art.
• Alternating screen time with human interaction and outdoor activity is healthful.
• Having a way to monitor online activity is imperative.
• Blue blocking apps/glasses curb the negative effects of blue/green/ultraviolet light.
• Late night learners (my teens always preferred studying in the evening) should complete screen lessons at least two hours before bed.
• Modeling healthy, balanced use of technology as parents is vital . . . so have everyone unplug and go for a walk, garden, or bake some cookies together!

Diane Heeney is a graduate of Bob Jones University, where she served on the faculty for ten years. She has been Assistant to the Director of Advertising Sales at The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine since 2016. She’s homeschooled her three children over the course of the past eighteen years, having graduated their two oldest. Diane, her husband Patrick, and their youngest child, Katie, reside in eastern Wyoming.

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