In the future, I would like to see a multimedia, interactive home schooling curriculum far more advanced than what is available out there now.
It is very hard for parents to be fully skilled in most curriculum studies, so such multimedia could help fill in the gaps, and also expand studies with electives. Far more than just watching a movie, such instruction should be like one on one tutoring, with continual feedback from the student, as well as review and evaluation.
Students would profit by being able to see hundreds of images, both still and video, as examples, rather than just a single book image surrounded by text. This would be a great help both for contextualization and retention. And, by providing “higher density” learning on some subjects, more time is available for more intellectually demanding subjects.
Multilingualism could be integrated into such studies, so the student is learning two subjects at once.
Of course it would not diminish the role of the home studies teacher. Just provide them some more needed support.
In so many ways, we are already there.
When we started homeschooling about 15 years ago, there was less support.
But now, there are classes on DVD, there are Home Satellite Broadcasts (Bob Jones Univ. HomeSAT), many home schooling groups, etc. There are many more companies that are offering affordable curriculum options. It is amazing what is out there now, and it will probably only get better!
Mike
What is needed is free enterprise for schooling within the city. A decentralization of the traditional school. We need to expand the kind of roles that the YMCA, dance schools, and community youth orchestras have and see centers that teach math (Kumon), sciences (?), and languages (?).
Saxon Math, I hear, has DVDs that explain the problems, that go with the books. There’s some very good stuff out there. And then tutors, of course.
Saxon Math, I hear, has DVDs that explain the problems, that go with the books. There’s some very good stuff out there. And then tutors, of course.
That all sounds marvelous, but you have to admit, lots of us have done quite well without it. My three graduates have all gone to college with academic scholarships - one a national merit scholar and the other two presidential scholars at a top tier liberal arts college. We manage(d) at home, with co-ops, and with dual-enrollment. Homeschooling works, not because of the skill of the parents or the fabulous curriculum they buy, but because it can be tailored to meet the needs and interests of the student.
That’s called “Switched on Schoolhouse”. A cd-rom based curriculum.
We love it.