There is a growing number of homeschooling podcasts in Apple Podcasts (also known as iTunes) and they cover a variety of topics from the sacred to the secular. In this episode of The Wired Homeschool I’m reviewing the highest-ranked homeschooling podcasts found in Apple Podcasts (iTunes) in the K-12 category. I’ve listened to the latest …

Continue reading "Top 5 Homeschooling Podcasts in Apple Podcasts – WHS 211"

Educational content is available all over the Internet. As streaming services become more popular, more educational documentaries become available to homeschoolers.

Previously, I’ve shared YouTube channels and documentaries on Netflix that are educational. In this episode of The Wired Homeschool, I share 10 documentaries you can find on Hulu right now that you can use for homeschooling.

The list reflects my leaning towards science and technology (especially, space) but you can find other interesting educational content on Hulu that covers topics like humanities, finances, and history.

Telescope

A new generation has been inspired to design and build the greatest TELESCOPE yet – NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, and will be a veritable time machine capable of taking us back to the origins of our universe. Runtime: 43 minutes. Rating: PG. Watch now.

Life After: Chernobyl

Thirty years after the worst nuclear radiation catastrophe in history, 100 times the combined amount of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs, two scientists have now been allowed total access to the area surrounding the infamous Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Runtime: 42 minutes. Rating: PG. Watch now.

9/11 Fifteen Years Later

CNN Films Presents collaborated with director/producer Gédéon and Jules Naudet and retired Manhattan firefighter James Hanlon for a new anniversary edition of the film, “9/11.” Now, 15 years on, the filmmakers talk to the surviving members of the firehouse, as well as their family members, about that day, and their lives in the days and years since. This edition of the film includes a poignant introduction by actor and producer Denis Leary. Running time: 103 minutes. Rating: NR. Watch now.

Above and Beyond: NASA’s Journey to Tomorrow

Directed, produced, and narrated by Academy Award®-nominated and Emmy®-winning Rory Kennedy, the film examines the ways NASA has changed not only our vision of the universe, but also our planet, and ourselves. Running time: 90 minutes. Rating: NR. Watch now

Born in Light: Tesla

Claiming to be in contact with aliens, Nikola Tesla was ultimately prevented from pursuing his greatest inventions by a ruling elite concerned he would derail their systems of mass control. Running time: 61 minutes. Rating: NR. Watch now.

Curiosity: Life of a Mars Rover

A chronicle of the journey of NASA’s Curiosity rover, the most powerful robot ever launched from Earth, from the drawing tables at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory through the rover’s first six years discovering the ancient lakes of Gale Crater. Running time: 47 minutes. Rating: TV-G. Watch now

Freakonomics

A collection of documentaries that explores the hidden side of human nature through the science of economics. Based on the book by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner. Running time: 93 minutes. Rating: PG-13. Watch now.

How It’s Made

How It’s Made shows viewers how many of the everyday objects we seldom stop to think about become the things they are. Viewers will be amazed to see the process of how many common items are manufactured in high-tech factories around the world. Running time: 22 minutes per episode. Rating: TV-G. Watch now.

Revolt

In this documentary series, we explore the future of energy in America’s Heartland and how that will shape the future of our climate. Running time: 11-15 minutes. Rating: NR. Watch now.

Zero Days

A black ops cyber-attack launched by the U.S. and Israel on an Iranian nuclear facility unleashed malware with unforeseen consequences. The Stuxnet virus infiltrated its pre-determined target only to spread its infection outward, ultimately exposing systemic vulnerabilities that threatened the very safety of the planet. Delve deep into the burgeoning world of digital warfare in this documentary thriller from Academy Award® winning filmmaker Alex Gibney. Running time: 114 minutes. Rating: R. Watch now.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. In some cases, I may have been given a free sample of a product to review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement

Many kids and parents are fascinated by the night sky but don’t know where to start with nightly observations. With Experience Astronomy homeschool parents and students can learn to navigate the heavens and figure out if that bright light is a planet, star, or just an airplane. About Luke Gilkerson Luke Gilkerson is the creator …

Continue reading "Experience Astronomy with Luke Gilkerson – WHS 233"

On Prime Day, I purchased 3 Amazon Fire 7 Tablets for our family. We’ve been Fire users since the first generation and now that the 7th generation is out I thought it was time to review their newest model. For this review I used the criteria from episode 108 of The Wired Homeschool: How to …

Continue reading "Amazon Fire 7 Tablet with Alexa Review – WHS 214"

About Dave Stotts and Drive Thru History Dave Stotts has spent the last two decades in professional video and media production. His career in documentary production has taken him to nearly 30 countries to shoot and edit films on a wide variety of topics, including history, science, religion, homeland security, and Bible archaeology. In 2004, …

Continue reading "Dave Stotts – Drive Thru History Adventures – WHS 235"

Looking for practical ways to teach your kids STEM topics? Today I share some suggestions for teaching your kids about STEM topics through everyday things like visiting the gas pump or watching sports. Briefly, the three examples I give in this podcast are: At the gas pump – How is fuel made? Watching sports – …

Continue reading "How to Include STEM in Your Homeschooling Every Day – WHS 238"

Last week I talked about 10 Ways to Use an Amazon Echo Dot for Homeschooling and one of those ways was to use educational skills. This week I’ll share 7 Alexa skills homeschoolers can use with their Amazon Echo. If you’re using an Amazon Echo for homeschooling, let me know how you’re using it in …

Continue reading "7 Alexa Skills Homeschoolers Can Use With Their Amazon Echo – WHS 231"

Throughout 2018, there were a number of blog posts and podcasts that readers and listeners found helpful.

Some of them were published this year, and some are more popular now than they have been in the past.

Here are the top five blog posts and podcasts for 2018.

Top 5 Blog Posts of 2018

1. 7 Online Writing Classes for Homeschoolers
2. 10 Educational Shows for Homeschooling Tweens and Teens on Netflix
3. 5 Online Science Classes for Homeschoolers
4. A Lesson for Homeschooling Parents: These are the 10 Apps to Use!
5. Body Image and Instagram – Infographic

Top 5 Podcasts of 2018

1. How to Become Fluent in a Foreign Language with Duolingo
2. Experience Astronomy with Luke Gilkerson
3. Connect Movie Review and Discussion with Michael Prince of Family Tech Blog
4. 7 YouTube Channels for Homeschoolers to Learn How to Fix Cars
5. 10 Ways to Use an Amazon Echo Dot for Homeschooling

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The Wired Homeschool is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network. For more family-friendly tech podcasts visit techpodcasts.com

Music for the podcast by Kevin Macleod.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. In some cases, I may have been given a free sample of a product to review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement

Every homeschooler understands that reading is essential. However, sometimes we may not know what our children should be reading. Or, perhaps we know what they should read but we don’t understand the essential themes and ideas of a piece of great literature. At Online Great Books you’ll find a community that will help you understand …

Continue reading "Online Great Books with Scott Hambrick – WHS 232"

My trip to see the 2017 eclipse was a great success. Here are my thoughts on the trip, the event, and planning for the next one in 2024. No show notes for this episode because I was speaking with little preparation. Thanks to Aaron, Lori, Matt, & Winston. Their continue support on Patreon helped make …

Continue reading "2017 Eclipse Wrap-Up – WHS 213"

Scratch 3.0 was released in January 2019 and includes a number of great new features including the ability to create and play projects on a tablet.

Ryan Swanstrom joins me today to discuss Scratch 3.0 and how homeschoolers can use it to teach their kids how to code, for free!

Ryan is a homeschool dad, computer programmer, and data scientist who helps homeschool parents integrate programming and technology into their curriculum with online courses and a weekly/monthly newsletter. He and his wife homeschool their 5 children in South Dakota, USA.

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Want to be notified of any upcoming news regarding the podcast or if I’m speaking in your area? Join my spam-free mailing list. You’ll receive quarterly updates and news about future projects and I’ll let you know if I’m speaking in your area at a homeschooling convention. The Wired Homeschool is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network. For more family-friendly tech podcasts visit techpodcasts.com Music for the podcast by Kevin Macleod.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. In some cases, I may have been given a free sample of a product to review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement

Michael Prince from BecauseFamily joins me again to discuss safe digital parenting. With the holidays just around the corner, you’ll want to make sure any gifts you’re giving to your kids are safe and ready to use when they’re unwrapped. Michael and I talk about some of the things you’ll want to do before handing …

Continue reading "Getting Devices Ready for Giving with Michael Prince – WHS 237"

Today I’m talking with Paul Drake. Paul is a homeschool alumnus, software designer, and founder/director of Code Apprentice, a program that provides high school students the skills and guidance they need to get a job in tech after graduation. Paul is also a committed Christian, a passionate sports fan (Go Cubs!) and a classical piano …

Continue reading "Paul Drake – Code Apprentice Online Curriculum and Mentorship | WHS 236"

This year at CES, there were a number of themes amid all the tech that was on display. This is the third year in a row I’ve covered CES from afar and each year things get more and more interesting.

Last year, I had reports from people at CES but I was unable to coordinate any interviews or recordings from participants. Instead, I will take a look at three trends I noticed at this year’s event.

Voice Assistants Everywhere

Voice assistants are showing up everywhere: cars, bathrooms, kitchens. How do we train our kids to responsibly access information when it’s always a voice command away?

Parent-Focused Tech

With so many well-connected parents these days, tech companies are focusing on parents that have always had devices in their hands. How is this information used? Should we be concerned about our kids being under constant surveillance?

Robots and Automation

Robotic pets, autonomous vehicles, and closets that fold your laundry were on display at CES. Automation is great but can we become too dependent on it?

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Want to be notified of any upcoming news regarding the podcast or if I’m speaking in your area? Join my spam-free mailing list. You’ll receive quarterly updates and news about future projects and I’ll let you know if I’m speaking in your area at a homeschooling convention. The Wired Homeschool is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network. For more family-friendly tech podcasts visit techpodcasts.com Music for the podcast by Kevin Macleod.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. In some cases, I may have been given a free sample of a product to review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement

Today I’m speaking with Hannah Ruth Earl of The Moving Picture Institute. Hannah works on MPI’s talent development programs, including recruiting and acquisitions for grants, internships, and masterclasses. She previously worked in independent film production at Bold Films and Rumble Films. Hannah was also homeschooled and has been reaching out to homeschoolers about the free …

Continue reading "Teaching With Film – Hannah Ruth Earl From The Moving Picture Institute – WHS 234"

Happy Star Wars Day! May the 4th (Force) be with you. With fans celebrating Star Wars all around the globe today, I thought it would be appropriate to share some great Star Wars homeschooling resources that you can use in your homeschool for all your little Jedi (or Sith) sitting at the table in the …

Continue reading "Star Wars Homeschooling Resources, STEM & Security – WHS 208"

Rob Jensen graduated from BYU with a BFA in Industrial Design. After graduating, he moved to Michigan to work for Ford Motor Company where he designed future cars for 7 years.

After moving back to Utah and starting a business, Rob began drawing with my kids and realized it would be fun to share their art-time with other families. Art For Kids Hub was born.

You will probably hear an unfamiliar voice in this episode because it’s one of the rare episodes where I’m joined by my wife, Lisa.

This episode was originally released in February 2015, please refer back to the show notes for episode 139 for any links.

You can find Rob’s videos and more at artforkidshub.com.

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Want to be notified of any upcoming news regarding the podcast or if I’m speaking in your area? Join my spam-free mailing list. You’ll receive quarterly updates and news about future projects and I’ll let you know if I’m speaking in your area at a homeschooling convention. The Wired Homeschool is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network. For more family-friendly tech podcasts visit techpodcasts.com Music for the podcast by Kevin Macleod.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. In some cases, I may have been given a free sample of a product to review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement

The 11th annual Games in Education Symposium (GiE17) brought together educators from the United States and Canada to learn how to supercharge their classrooms with video games. While this conference’s target attendee is the public school teacher, I was able to present as well as attend. While there, I learned a lot about game-based education …

Continue reading "Games in Education Symposium Wrap-Up – WHS 212"

A quick update ahead of tomorrow’s eclipse. Hope to hear from you if you’re watching it! ➡️ Support this podcast on Patreon. $1 per episode helps me create more podcasts. ⬅️ Connect Socially! Join the Facebook page Follow @wiredhs Circle on Google Plus Follow John Wilkerson Leave a Voicemail You can call 518-290-0228 to leave …

Continue reading "Special Eclipse Update – WHS"

The total solar eclipse that will traverse the United States is quickly approaching. Where will you be on August 21, 2017? Don’t miss this opportunity to see a phenomenon you and your kids will talk about for years. The best way to see the eclipse this year is to be somewhere along the path of …

Continue reading "How to View the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse – WHS 210"

This is the final episode of The Wired Homeschool. Thank you to everyone who has supported the podcast by listening, advertising, or donating. Your support has been greatly appreciated over the past 9 years!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. In some cases, I may have been given a free sample of a product to review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement

About Noah Tetzner

Noah Tetzner is a homeschool graduate who enjoys sharing his passion for history with the world! He is the host of multiple historical podcasts that feature interviews with some of the world brightest scholars. Recently, he has launched a new podcast called Lessons from a Homeschooler where you can join him in learning about topics such as history, education, and literature from acclaimed speakers across the homeschooling world.

Make sure you have a listen to both of Noah’s podcasts: The History of Vikings and Lessons from a Homeschooler.

Check out the Great Connections Gap Year Program for high school graduates. Mention “Wired Homeschool” when you submit your application.

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Want to be notified of any upcoming news regarding the podcast or if I’m speaking in your area? Join my spam-free mailing list. You’ll receive quarterly updates and news about future projects and I’ll let you know if I’m speaking in your area at a homeschooling convention. The Wired Homeschool is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network. For more family-friendly tech podcasts visit techpodcasts.com Music for the podcast by Kevin Macleod.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. In some cases, I may have been given a free sample of a product to review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement

Our children can learn a lot of things from textbooks and online curriculum but there are some intangible things that cannot be learned through typical schooling.

Often, it’s intangible traits or characteristics in our children that determine whether or not the will succeed. This list is by no means exhaustive but it’s a good start when considering what we want to encourage in our children.

Grit

Determination, or grit, will sometimes differentiate your child from others. In sports and other activities, sometimes the person with the most grit gets the best results.

Cooperation

Although we hear a lot about “self-made” men and women, there really isn’t anyone who did it all themselves. Look beyond the facade and you’ll see many times when that person needed to work with others in order to obtain success.

Curiosity

People who are curious want to know more about the world and how it works. These are inventors and big thinkers who sometime challenge the status-quo to go on to do remarkable things.

Empathy

This is one of the hardest things to teach some kids. Most kids are born empathetic and grow out of it but others lack the ability to care for other’s feelings.

Adaptability

Being able to adapt to situations will help your child go further than someone who is stuck in their ways. Adaptability allows someone to see when something isn’t working and pivot to move towards a solution to a difficult problem.

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Want to be notified of any upcoming news regarding the podcast or if I’m speaking in your area? Join my spam-free mailing list. You’ll receive quarterly updates and news about future projects and I’ll let you know if I’m speaking in your area at a homeschooling convention. The Wired Homeschool is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network. For more family-friendly tech podcasts visit techpodcasts.com Music for the podcast by Kevin Macleod.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. In some cases, I may have been given a free sample of a product to review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement

Ursula Burns, Chairman and CEO of Xerox smiles when she attends an interview at The Times Center in New York April 13, 2013. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz (UNITED STATES – Tags: BUSINESS) – RTXYKSJ

Ursula M. Burns became the first black woman to head a Fortune 500 company when she was appointed CEO of Xerox. She also became the first woman to succeed another as head of a Fortune 500 company.

Burns led the STEM program of the White House from 2009 to 2016 and is the current chairman and CEO of VEON, the eleventh largest mobile network operator in the world based on subscribers. Burns is also on the board of Uber.

Much like we did with the previous “Homeschool Like” series, we’ll take a look at her business acumen and apply that to homeschooling.

1. Be Authentic.

In an interview with Time, Ursula Burns said in the early years of her career the one thing she would not give up is her hair.

She encourages women, especially women trying to get into STEM to use their uniqueness as an opportunity to distinguish themselves from others.

We need to encourage our children to embrace what’s unique about themselves (being homeschooled) and use that as a way to stand out from the crowd. Don’t look at it as a burden, but an opportunity.

2. Listen to your employees.

Some parents think they have all the answers when it comes to homeschooling. While we are certainly responsible for educating our children, we should listen to them too.

As our children get older, their interests will change and we should be able to tailor their education so that they have a vested interest. We can only do that if we listen to them.

3. Recognize that you can not do everything yourself.

Speaking with Poppy Harlow on CNN Money, Burns reminds men that they need to step up when their wives have a baby. Women shouldn’t have to do all the work of raising children.

The same is true in homeschooling, it’s difficult for one parent to be the only educator. Both parents need to help.

4. Take a stand for what you believe in.

Believe it or not, there are still people out there who think homeschooling is bad for children. Governments, like Brazil and Germany, have basically made it illegal to homeschool.

There may come a time when you need to take a stand for your belief in homeschooling. Be prepared to hold your ground against family, friends, and total strangers.

5. Measure goals and outcome to make better decisions.

Grades are not goals. test results don’t always reflect the outcomes you’re looking for when educating your children. Book knowledge shouldn’t be the ultimate goal.

In our family, we want to instill a love of learning. We want to equip our children to be successful adults. We also want them to define what success looks like.

6. Have fun and truly enjoy your job to have the most success.

When I hear about parents and children who are burdened by homeschooling my heart drops. Anyone who is homeschooling and doesn’t truly find joy in the process will not have ultimate success.

It brings a smile to my face when I see the joy on my wife’s face when she’s talking about an experiment the kids did or a history nugget she learned about that day.

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Want to be notified of any upcoming news regarding the podcast or if I’m speaking in your area? Join my spam-free mailing list. You’ll receive quarterly updates and news about future projects and I’ll let you know if I’m speaking in your area at a homeschooling convention. The Wired Homeschool is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network. For more family-friendly tech podcasts visit techpodcasts.com Music for the podcast by Kevin Macleod.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. In some cases, I may have been given a free sample of a product to review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement

Google recently announced a gaming service that requires no console. They’ve made some big promises about this new product and it looks to be the future of gaming. Michael Prince from BecauseFamily joins me today to discuss what parents and homeschoolers need to know about Stadia.

For more information about Stadia and cloud gaming, check out these links:

• Stadia by Google
• Stadia: a new way to play
• BecauseFamily Article: What Parents Need to Know About Stadia by Google
• Vortex – Cloud Gaming

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Want to be notified of any upcoming news regarding the podcast or if I’m speaking in your area? Join my spam-free mailing list. You’ll receive quarterly updates and news about future projects and I’ll let you know if I’m speaking in your area at a homeschooling convention. The Wired Homeschool is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network. For more family-friendly tech podcasts visit techpodcasts.com Music for the podcast by Kevin Macleod.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. In some cases, I may have been given a free sample of a product to review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement

Rob Jensen graduated from BYU with a BFA in Industrial Design. After graduating, he moved to Michigan to work for Ford Motor Company where he designed future cars for 7 years.

After moving back to Utah and starting a business, Rob began drawing with my kids and realized it would be fun to share their art-time with other families. Art For Kids Hub was born.

You will probably hear an unfamiliar voice in this episode because it’s one of the rare episodes where I’m joined by my wife, Lisa.

This episode was originally released in February 2015, please refer back to the show notes for episode 139 for any links.

You can find Rob’s videos and more at artforkidshub.com.

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Want to be notified of any upcoming news regarding the podcast or if I’m speaking in your area? Join my spam-free mailing list. You’ll receive quarterly updates and news about future projects and I’ll let you know if I’m speaking in your area at a homeschooling convention. The Wired Homeschool is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network. For more family-friendly tech podcasts visit techpodcasts.com Music for the podcast by Kevin Macleod.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. In some cases, I may have been given a free sample of a product to review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement

Scratch 3.0 was released in January 2019 and includes a number of great new features including the ability to create and play projects on a tablet.

Ryan Swanstrom joins me today to discuss Scratch 3.0 and how homeschoolers can use it to teach their kids how to code, for free!

Ryan is a homeschool dad, computer programmer, and data scientist who helps homeschool parents integrate programming and technology into their curriculum with online courses and a weekly/monthly newsletter. He and his wife homeschool their 5 children in South Dakota, USA.

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Want to be notified of any upcoming news regarding the podcast or if I’m speaking in your area? Join my spam-free mailing list. You’ll receive quarterly updates and news about future projects and I’ll let you know if I’m speaking in your area at a homeschooling convention. The Wired Homeschool is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network. For more family-friendly tech podcasts visit techpodcasts.com Music for the podcast by Kevin Macleod.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. In some cases, I may have been given a free sample of a product to review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement

Educational content is available all over the Internet. As streaming services become more popular, more educational documentaries become available to homeschoolers.

Previously, I’ve shared YouTube channels and documentaries on Netflix that are educational. In this episode of The Wired Homeschool, I share 10 documentaries you can find on Hulu right now that you can use for homeschooling.

The list reflects my leaning towards science and technology (especially, space) but you can find other interesting educational content on Hulu that covers topics like humanities, finances, and history.

Telescope

A new generation has been inspired to design and build the greatest TELESCOPE yet – NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, and will be a veritable time machine capable of taking us back to the origins of our universe. Runtime: 43 minutes. Rating: PG. Watch now.

Life After: Chernobyl

Thirty years after the worst nuclear radiation catastrophe in history, 100 times the combined amount of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs, two scientists have now been allowed total access to the area surrounding the infamous Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Runtime: 42 minutes. Rating: PG. Watch now.

9/11 Fifteen Years Later

CNN Films Presents collaborated with director/producer Gédéon and Jules Naudet and retired Manhattan firefighter James Hanlon for a new anniversary edition of the film, “9/11.” Now, 15 years on, the filmmakers talk to the surviving members of the firehouse, as well as their family members, about that day, and their lives in the days and years since. This edition of the film includes a poignant introduction by actor and producer Denis Leary. Running time: 103 minutes. Rating: NR. Watch now.

Above and Beyond: NASA’s Journey to Tomorrow

Directed, produced, and narrated by Academy Award®-nominated and Emmy®-winning Rory Kennedy, the film examines the ways NASA has changed not only our vision of the universe, but also our planet, and ourselves. Running time: 90 minutes. Rating: NR. Watch now

Born in Light: Tesla

Claiming to be in contact with aliens, Nikola Tesla was ultimately prevented from pursuing his greatest inventions by a ruling elite concerned he would derail their systems of mass control. Running time: 61 minutes. Rating: NR. Watch now.

Curiosity: Life of a Mars Rover

A chronicle of the journey of NASA’s Curiosity rover, the most powerful robot ever launched from Earth, from the drawing tables at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory through the rover’s first six years discovering the ancient lakes of Gale Crater. Running time: 47 minutes. Rating: TV-G. Watch now

Freakonomics

A collection of documentaries that explores the hidden side of human nature through the science of economics. Based on the book by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner. Running time: 93 minutes. Rating: PG-13. Watch now.

How It’s Made

How It’s Made shows viewers how many of the everyday objects we seldom stop to think about become the things they are. Viewers will be amazed to see the process of how many common items are manufactured in high-tech factories around the world. Running time: 22 minutes per episode. Rating: TV-G. Watch now.

Revolt

In this documentary series, we explore the future of energy in America’s Heartland and how that will shape the future of our climate. Running time: 11-15 minutes. Rating: NR. Watch now.

Zero Days

A black ops cyber-attack launched by the U.S. and Israel on an Iranian nuclear facility unleashed malware with unforeseen consequences. The Stuxnet virus infiltrated its pre-determined target only to spread its infection outward, ultimately exposing systemic vulnerabilities that threatened the very safety of the planet. Delve deep into the burgeoning world of digital warfare in this documentary thriller from Academy Award® winning filmmaker Alex Gibney. Running time: 114 minutes. Rating: R. Watch now.

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Want to be notified of any upcoming news regarding the podcast or if I’m speaking in your area? Join my spam-free mailing list. You’ll receive quarterly updates and news about future projects and I’ll let you know if I’m speaking in your area at a homeschooling convention. The Wired Homeschool is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network. For more family-friendly tech podcasts visit techpodcasts.com Music for the podcast by Kevin Macleod.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. In some cases, I may have been given a free sample of a product to review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement

This year at CES, there were a number of themes amid all the tech that was on display. This is the third year in a row I’ve covered CES from afar and each year things get more and more interesting.

Last year, I had reports from people at CES but I was unable to coordinate any interviews or recordings from participants. Instead, I will take a look at three trends I noticed at this year’s event.

Voice Assistants Everywhere

Voice assistants are showing up everywhere: cars, bathrooms, kitchens. How do we train our kids to responsibly access information when it’s always a voice command away?

Parent-Focused Tech

With so many well-connected parents these days, tech companies are focusing on parents that have always had devices in their hands. How is this information used? Should we be concerned about our kids being under constant surveillance?

Robots and Automation

Robotic pets, autonomous vehicles, and closets that fold your laundry were on display at CES. Automation is great but can we become too dependent on it?

Connect Socially!

• Join the Facebook page
• Follow on Twitter
• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Pinterest

Leave a Voicemail

You can call 518-290-0228 to leave me a message or use SpeakPipe to record a message with your computer.

Etc.

Want to be notified of any upcoming news regarding the podcast or if I’m speaking in your area? Join my spam-free mailing list. You’ll receive quarterly updates and news about future projects and I’ll let you know if I’m speaking in your area at a homeschooling convention. The Wired Homeschool is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network. For more family-friendly tech podcasts visit techpodcasts.com Music for the podcast by Kevin Macleod.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. In some cases, I may have been given a free sample of a product to review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement

Throughout 2018, there were a number of blog posts and podcasts that readers and listeners found helpful.

Some of them were published this year, and some are more popular now than they have been in the past.

Here are the top five blog posts and podcasts for 2018.

Top 5 Blog Posts of 2018

1. 7 Online Writing Classes for Homeschoolers
2. 10 Educational Shows for Homeschooling Tweens and Teens on Netflix
3. 5 Online Science Classes for Homeschoolers
4. A Lesson for Homeschooling Parents: These are the 10 Apps to Use!
5. Body Image and Instagram – Infographic

Top 5 Podcasts of 2018

1. How to Become Fluent in a Foreign Language with Duolingo
2. Experience Astronomy with Luke Gilkerson
3. Connect Movie Review and Discussion with Michael Prince of Family Tech Blog
4. 7 YouTube Channels for Homeschoolers to Learn How to Fix Cars
5. 10 Ways to Use an Amazon Echo Dot for Homeschooling

Connect Socially!

• Join the Facebook page
• Follow on Twitter
• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Pinterest

Leave a Voicemail

You can call 518-290-0228 to leave me a message or use SpeakPipe to record a message with your computer.

Etc.

Want to be notified of any upcoming news regarding the podcast or if I’m speaking in your area? Join my spam-free mailing list. You’ll receive quarterly updates and news about future projects and I’ll let you know if I’m speaking in your area at a homeschooling convention.

The Wired Homeschool is a proud member of the Tech Podcast Network. For more family-friendly tech podcasts visit techpodcasts.com

Music for the podcast by Kevin Macleod.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. In some cases, I may have been given a free sample of a product to review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement

Looking for practical ways to teach your kids STEM topics? Today I share some suggestions for teaching your kids about STEM topics through everyday things like visiting the gas pump or watching sports. Briefly, the three examples I give in this podcast are: At the gas pump – How is fuel made? Watching sports – …

Continue reading "How to Include STEM in Your Homeschooling Every Day – WHS 238"

Michael Prince from BecauseFamily joins me again to discuss safe digital parenting. With the holidays just around the corner, you’ll want to make sure any gifts you’re giving to your kids are safe and ready to use when they’re unwrapped. Michael and I talk about some of the things you’ll want to do before handing …

Continue reading "Getting Devices Ready for Giving with Michael Prince – WHS 237"

Today I’m talking with Paul Drake. Paul is a homeschool alumnus, software designer, and founder/director of Code Apprentice, a program that provides high school students the skills and guidance they need to get a job in tech after graduation. Paul is also a committed Christian, a passionate sports fan (Go Cubs!) and a classical piano …

Continue reading "Paul Drake – Code Apprentice Online Curriculum and Mentorship | WHS 236"

About Dave Stotts and Drive Thru History Dave Stotts has spent the last two decades in professional video and media production. His career in documentary production has taken him to nearly 30 countries to shoot and edit films on a wide variety of topics, including history, science, religion, homeland security, and Bible archaeology. In 2004, …

Continue reading "Dave Stotts – Drive Thru History Adventures – WHS 235"

Today I’m speaking with Hannah Ruth Earl of The Moving Picture Institute. Hannah works on MPI’s talent development programs, including recruiting and acquisitions for grants, internships, and masterclasses. She previously worked in independent film production at Bold Films and Rumble Films. Hannah was also homeschooled and has been reaching out to homeschoolers about the free …

Continue reading "Teaching With Film – Hannah Ruth Earl From The Moving Picture Institute – WHS 234"

Many kids and parents are fascinated by the night sky but don’t know where to start with nightly observations. With Experience Astronomy homeschool parents and students can learn to navigate the heavens and figure out if that bright light is a planet, star, or just an airplane. About Luke Gilkerson Luke Gilkerson is the creator …

Continue reading "Experience Astronomy with Luke Gilkerson – WHS 233"

Every homeschooler understands that reading is essential. However, sometimes we may not know what our children should be reading. Or, perhaps we know what they should read but we don’t understand the essential themes and ideas of a piece of great literature. At Online Great Books you’ll find a community that will help you understand …

Continue reading "Online Great Books with Scott Hambrick – WHS 232"

Last week I talked about 10 Ways to Use an Amazon Echo Dot for Homeschooling and one of those ways was to use educational skills. This week I’ll share 7 Alexa skills homeschoolers can use with their Amazon Echo. If you’re using an Amazon Echo for homeschooling, let me know how you’re using it in …

Continue reading "7 Alexa Skills Homeschoolers Can Use With Their Amazon Echo – WHS 231"

When the Amazon Echo Dot was originally released many people saw the smart speaker as nothing more than a novelty. Many people bought it and its older sibling the Amazon Echo and quickly realized how helpful it could be in their day-to-day lives. The Amazon Echo Dot has a lot of functionality in it that …

Continue reading "10 Ways to Use an Amazon Echo Dot for Homeschooling – WHS 230"

A major part of homeschooling involves teaching practical life-skills like how to fix cars. OK, maybe not everyone needs to learn to fix a car but basic maintenance or knowing when to take your car to a mechanic are skills every homeschooler should learn. If you have a budding mechanic or if you don’t think …

Continue reading "7 YouTube Channels for Homeschoolers to Learn How to Fix Cars – WHS 229"