Edutainment: The Future of Education

Ever since I saw my first Magic School Bus video, I knew the state of education had changed forever. Sure, I had watched Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood as a child in the late 60's and early 70's, but to take education past basic reading, writing and arithmetic had not been previously approached.

When I started homeschooling my kids, I knew that I wanted to teach them in a way that was fun, and even passive. At the same time, I wanted them to absorb all of the basics and then some. Having raised my children on the computer from as young as they could control a mouse, I knew that I could find my answers on the internet.

I found a cacophony of websites that would teach, instruct, educate, and reinforce all the things they needed to learn. I have found numerous games and a treasure chest of movies that would detain them for hours without them ever being the wiser.

Here is a list of websites, games, and movies you can use to educate your child.

Fun websites I use to educate my children:
• I use Time4learning.com to homeschool my 10-year-old daughter. It presents animated instruction to the homeschooled set. Time4learning takes full advantage of today's technology and is a convenient, online home education program that combines learning with fun educational teaching games.
• I also used Headsprout.com to teach her how to read when she was unsuccessful learning in Kindergarten. If for any reason your child cannot learn to read using Headsprout.com, then they will refund your money. (They have a 30 day money back guarantee)
• When I want to drive a point home, or reinforce something they just do not get, I use Brainpop.com. This site is edutainment at its best. These tutorials teach your child through the characters of Tim and his quirky robot, Moby. (They have a few friends that help them out too.) Most of these tutorials are geared toward grades 4 and up, and with some organization; you could run a full homeschooled program using this website. They have recently added Brainpop Jr. so now the kiddies can have more fun learning too.

Games I use to educate my children:

• Funbrain is the site I go to for math drills and extra practice in other subjects. We especially like the arcade as math questions get progressively harder as the child's skill improves.
• I have used the Learning Company ever since the children could click a computer use. With CD-ROM programs from Reader Rabbit, to Carmen Sandiego, The Oregon Trail, and the Clue Finders Series, you child will not want to stop learning.
• The Funschool Website also has hundreds of games that your child can use during their downtime that will make learning lots of fun.

Movies and video clips I use to homeschool my kids:

• I use United Streaming for Science and History. I feel like History is best observed, and there is no better way to observe it than on the TV. United streaming Video by the Discovery Channel is a virtual warehouse of educational videos for science, math, language arts, research and more. These videos are used in the classroom, and are the basis of numerous other Discovery Channel learning programs. I was lucky enough to get use of this website free just for being a Georgia Resident, as my state has paid for rights for the entire population. There is a chance that it is free in your state as well.

• I also use Google videos to search for specific learning topics like math tutorials and such when the children need another explanation or a different point of view. You can just go to Google videos and search for your specific topic. You will want to, however, be wary of other video advertisements and control what you have your children watch. I have linked to several Google and Associated math tutorials through my website FreeHomeEd.com.