Best Meryl Van Der Merwe Podcasts (2025)

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Using Google Translate in Your Homeschool 13:23

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3d ago13:23

13:23

341: Using Google Translate in Your Homeschool Google Translate isn’t just for travelers trying to decipher a menu abroad—it can also be an incredibly useful tool in your homeschool. In this episode, you will learn creative ways to integrate both the browser version and the mobile app of Google Translate into everyday learning. What you’ll learn in…

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Video Scholarship Tips 20:47

7d ago20:47

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Episode 340 — Video Scholarship Tips (with Monica Matthews) Looking for video scholarship tips that actually work? In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, scholarship expert Monica Matthews shares practical video scholarship tips for high school (and younger) students—how to hook judges fast, align your story with a sponsor’s mission, fil…

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Online Hide and Seek Game 11:49

19d ago11:49

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339: Online Hide and Seek Game In this episode, we learn about a unique geography game that blends fun with learning: Hide and Seek and its companion app World Streaks Geography. Whether you’re looking for a quick game to play in the car, a way to make geography more interactive, or a multiplayer activity for your teens, this resource has something…

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Supporting Your Teen in Online Classes 16:51

13d ago16:51

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338: Supporting Your Teen in Online Classes Online classes can be a fantastic way for teens to learn — but only if parents know how to support them well. Every year, many parents are surprised mid-semester when they discover their teen is failing an online class. The truth is: this can be avoided with the right balance of structure, accountability,…

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Homeschool AI Hacks: How to Write Prompts That Work

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337: Homeschool AI Hacks: How to Write Prompts That Work In today’s episode, learn how to write better AI prompts for homeschooling—tips, examples, and hacks to save you time and spark creativity in your lessons. Core Elements of a Strong Prompt Role – “Act like a veteran homeschool mom with 10 years of experience.” Grade level – Tailor to 3rd vs. …

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10 Tech Tools to Make Writing Fun 15:42

27d ago15:42

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336: 10 Tech Tools to Make Writing Fun Are your children complaining that writing isn’t fun? Transform writing time into creative fun with these 10 tech tools—each designed to spark imagination and ease the writing struggle. 1. Story Dice Tool: Story Dice Description: Roll virtual icons and weave them into a story—great for melting the blank-page d…

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How Homeschoolers Can Use Brisk AI 15:15

2M ago15:15

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335: How Homeschoolers Can Use Brisk AI In this episode, we look at Brisk Teaching, a powerful ( free for most things) AI Chrome extension designed for educators — and incredibly helpful for homeschoolers. You’ll discover how to: Use Brisk’s “Inspect Writing” tool to check your child’s writing history and detect copy/paste Create auto-graded quizze…

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Creating an AI policy for your homeschool 19:24

2M ago19:24

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334: Creating an AI Policy for your Homeschool We explore why every homeschool family should consider developing an AI policy—and how to do it. As AI tools become more prevalent, it’s no longer a question of if teens are using them, but how. Meryl explains how teens often approach AI differently than adults and why it’s important to proactively tea…

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Using Media in Foreign Language Learning 16:40

2M ago16:40

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Episode 333: Using Media in Foreign Language Learning In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, host Meryl van der Merwe is joined by two of FundaFunda Academy’s language teachers—Sebastian (French) and Suzette (Spanish)—to discuss how media can enhance the foreign language learning experience. You’ll discover: How music supports vocabulary…

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Engineering Exploration at Home

2M ago

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332: Engineering Exploration at Home In this episode, guest Mariselle Gonzalez, a former semiconductor engineer, talks about engineering exploration at home. She offers practical ways homeschool parents can spark their child’s interest in engineering—no tech degree required! What We Cover in This Episode: Mariselle’s journey from electrical enginee…

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Scavenger Hunts That Bring Local History to Life 18:58

3M ago18:58

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Episode 331: Scavenger Hunts That Bring Local History to Life In this episode, host Meryl van der Merwe revisits a topic she first explored back in episode 41 — scavenger hunts! But this time, she brings fresh insights from her recent European adventures, where she completed three different app-based scavenger hunts in Belgium and France. What you’…

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How I Use AI to Kickstart Creativity

3M ago

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330: How I Use AI to Kickstart Creativity Use AI to kickstart creativity—yes, it’s possible! In this episode, Meryl van der Merwe shares seven practical ways she uses AI tools like ChatGPT to spark and support creative thinking. Hopefully, this will give you ideas on how you can use AI as a helpful collaborator when you’re stuck or overwhelmed. Top…

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Teaching Students to Navigate Social Media

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329: Teaching Students to Navigate Social Media Teaching students to navigate social media is more important than ever as teens face a constant stream of information, misinformation, and online pressures. In this episode, Meryl Van der Merwe is joined by returning guest Stephanie Simons, founder of CritiKid, a platform dedicated to teaching kids cr…

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Useful Technology in Homeschooling Special Needs High Schoolers 12:14

3M ago12:14

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328: Useful Technology in Homeschooling Special Needs High Schoolers with Melody Durham In this episode, Meryl chats with homeschool mom, Melody Durham, who shares the tech tools that have helped her dyslexic high schooler succeed. From smart pens to speech-to-text software, Melody explains what’s worked, why it’s made a difference, and how to advo…

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Fun group games to play online

3M ago

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327: Fun group games to play online Whether you’re on a long trip, stuck indoors on a rainy day, or trying to connect with faraway family, group games to play online can be a great way to build memories and share laughter. In this episode, Meryl shares the games her Science Olympiad team enjoyed during a long bus ride to Nationals—and offers sugges…

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Why Scratch is the Perfect First Programming Language to Learn 17:08

4M ago17:08

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326: Why Scratch is the Perfect First Programming Language to Learn In this episode, host Meryl van der Merwe is joined by returning guest Matthew Jurison, a homeschool teen. Together, they explore why Scratch is an ideal language for beginners learning to code. What You’ll Learn: How Scratch compares to text-based languages like JavaScript and Pyt…

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Gamified Chess with Duolingo 12:44

4M ago12:44

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Gamified Chess with Duolingo In this episode, we explore Duolingo’s newest addition—chess, which of course is gamified the way their languages are. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why Duolingo has added chess and how it fits into their gamified platform How Duolingo teaches chess step-by-step, making it accessible even for beginners How gamified…

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Free online curriculum 16:09

4M ago16:09

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324: Free Online Curriculum In this episode, Meryl shares strategies and specific resources for stretching your homeschool budget by leveraging high-quality free curriculum. You’ll hear about four “all-in-one” programs, dozens of subject-specific tools, how to snag freebies from vendors, and tips for DIYing your own courses with AI assistance. 1. “…

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Innovative Ways to use Google Talking Tours 14:37

4M ago14:37

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323: Innovative Ways to Use Google Talking Tours In this episode we take a deep dive into Google Talking Tours, an AI-powered tool from Google Arts & Culture that lets users explore landmarks and cultural sites around the world with automatically narrated tours. Whether you’re teaching geography, history, writing, photography, or just looking for a…

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Replay: How to use Movies in your Homeschool 19:49

5M ago19:49

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This is a replay of episode 187. Go to that episode for the show notes. The post Replay: How to use Movies in your Homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.By Meryl van der Merwe

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Online help for homeschool children with learning challenges

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322 : Online help for homeschool children with learning challenges Episode Summary: In this episode, Meryl chats with Krisa Wynn about Homeschool Heroes, an online platform designed to support homeschool families with children who have learning challenges — or as they call them, “unique learners.” Krisa shares how the platform provides free and pai…

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Why Math Should Be Fun 19:52

5M ago19:52

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321: Why Math Should Be Fun In this episode, host Meryl van der Merwe is joined by Mina Neuberg from Wonder Math, to explore why making math fun is essential. Topics Covered: The connection between math and technology careers Why so many students and parents struggle with math anxiety How a growth mindset can transform math learning What makes Wond…

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Replay: Online Poetry Resources 13:55

5M ago13:55

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This is a replay of episode 127. Go to that episode for the show notes. The post Replay: Online Poetry Resources appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.By Meryl van der Merwe

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Virtual Vacation: Travel the World Without a Passport 15:20

6M ago15:20

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320: Virtual Vacation: Travel the World Without a Passport Summer is almost here, and while a real vacation might still be a few weeks away, you and your homeschoolers can start exploring the world right now—take a virtual vacation! In this episode, discover Virtual Vacation, a free and engaging website that lets you experience cities around the gl…

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Teaching Your Children How to Troubleshoot Tech 14:32

6M ago14:32

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319: Teaching Your Children How to Troubleshoot Tech We’ve all faced tech frustrations and needed to troubleshoot tech —whether it’s a stubborn printer, glitchy software, or a bug on your website. As homeschoolers, we have the unique advantage of turning these moments into powerful, real-life learning experiences. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why…

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Free Online Tools to Study the U.S. Constitution 15:02

6M ago15:02

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318: Free Online Tools to Study the U.S. Constitution Do you really know what the U.S. Constitution says? In today’s episode, Meryl welcomes back veteran homeschooler Vicki Tillman to share free and engaging online tools to study the constitution to help homeschoolers (and parents!) better understand this foundational document. Resources Mentioned:…

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Using Khan Academy in your Homeschool 11:41

6M ago11:41

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317: Using Khan Academy in your Homeschool In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, we explore the many ways homeschoolers can use Khan Academy. While many may be familiar with Khan Academy for math practice, there are many other subjects and tools available that can supplement and enrich a homeschool curriculum. What You’ll Learn in This …

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Gamify History with Mission US Games 16:39

6M ago16:39

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316: Gamify History with Mission US Games In this episode, we’re diving into how you can gamify history with Mission US games. This immersive, interactive resource has been a favorite of mine for years, and I’m excited to revisit it, especially since they’ve updated their offerings. What is Mission US? Mission US is a free, interactive educational …

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Google Arts and Culture Games 15:01

7M ago15:01

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315: Google Arts and Culture Games In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, we dive into the interactive games and activities available through Google Arts & Culture. Resources Mentioned: Google Arts & Culture – Play Section Key Highlights: Introduction to Google Arts & Culture Games: Overview of the “Play” section on the platform. How the…

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Google Arts and Culture 17:37

7M ago17:37

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314: Google Arts and Culture Google Arts and Culture is a resource I’ve mentioned before, but in this episode we dive into the vast offerings on the site’s homepage. Next week, I’ll explore the games and interactive experiences under the “Play” section. Whether you’re looking for a free art curriculum, a quick educational activity, or a resource to…

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3D Modeling with Blender: A Teen’s Perspective 12:47

7M ago12:47

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313: 3D Modeling with Blender: A Teen’s Perspective In this episode, Meryl is joined by teen guest Matthew Jurison, who shares his experiences using Blender, a free 3D modeling and visual effects software. Matthew, a self-taught Blender enthusiast with years of experience, discusses how he got started, the skills he’s developed, and why Blender is …

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Using AI as a Study Tool 15:08

7M ago15:08

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312: Using AI as a Study Tool In this episode, we look at various AI resources and how they can be effective study tools. Please note there are previous podcast episode that go into more detail about all of these tools. Featured AI Tools & Applications: ChatGPT: Creating custom practice questions at different difficulty levels Getting detailed feed…

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3 Online Cybersecurity Games

8M ago

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311: 3 Online Cybersecurity Games These online cybersecurity games are a great way to teach students about how to keep safe online – and what exactly is involved in careers in this field. Games Reviewed: Gandalf Players try to trick Gandalf into revealing passwords across multiple levels Involves critical thinking and AI prompting skills Two versio…

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New Online Geography Games 17:11

8M ago17:11

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310: New Online Geography Games This episode features 7 new online geography games – new to me at least – but some are very new and use AI technology to increase the fun. All are free and can be played with no sign in required. Many allow you to create private rooms to play in. Games Featured in This Episode GeoScents: Choose categories like World,…

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Drawing Made Easy with Free Online Tools 11:33

8M ago11:33

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309: Drawing Made Easy with Free Online Tools In this episode, we’re exploring free online tools to make drawing fun and accessible for homeschoolers of all ages. Whether your child is a budding artist or you’re just looking for a creative activity to incorporate into your homeschool routine, these four resources offer a variety of ways to engage w…

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Navigating Digital Risks with Kid Safe GPT 12:16

8M ago12:16

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308:Navigating Digital Risks with Kid Safe GPT Kid Safe GPT is a custom GPT that helps parents navigate the risks in online games and apps and social media sites Key Highlights: Common Sense Media: This website has a page about online games and includes info on risks. The list of games it covers is fairly limited though. Introduction to Kid Safe GP…

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Prompting 101: A Beginner’s Guide for Homeschoolers 14:12

9M ago14:12

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307: Prompting 101: A Beginner’s Guide for Homeschoolers Today’s episode is all about Prompting 101: A Beginner’s Guide for Homeschoolers. If you’re new to AI tools like ChatGPT, I recommend starting with Episode 306: Starting Out with AI in Your Homeschool, where I introduce the basics. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What is prompting? Prompti…

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Getting started with AI in your homeschool

9M ago

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306: Getting started with AI in your homeschool Happy New Year! As we kick off 2025, it’s clear that AI is set to continue transforming our world—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, we’re diving into how you can begin integrating AI into your homeschool. Whether you’re completely new to AI or…

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Last Minute Digital Gift Ideas

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305: Last Minute Digital Gift Ideas Forgotten to get gifts for everyone? Or just run out of ideas? These unique digital gift ideas are ones homeschool families will love to give or receive! Here are the 12 ideas I mention in this episode. Online Escape Room Experiences Interactive virtual escape rooms themed a the whole family can solve together. E…

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AI Assisted Holiday Planning and Prep 17:13

10M ago17:13

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304: AI Assisted Holiday Planning and Prep This episode covers AI Assisted Holiday Planning and Prep. Lots of ways to save time on tasks so you can spend time with family and friends. 1. Creating a Detailed Schedule Demonstrated using ChatGPT Example prompt: Sharing entire holiday to-do list Benefits: Breaks down overwhelming tasks Creates day-by-d…

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2024 Hour of Code Highlights 11:06

10M ago11:06

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303: 2024 Hour of Code Highlights In this episode, we explore highlights from the 2024 Hour of Code, an initiative during Computer Science Education Week to introduce students (and even parents!) to coding in fun and engaging ways. Whether your children are new to coding or already experienced, there’s something here for everyone. What is Hour of C…

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Gaming Gift Ideas that Won’t Break the Bank 21:05

10M ago21:05

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302: Gaming Gift Ideas that Won’t Break the Bank Heidi Lathram, is a homeschooler, homesteader, gamer, and educator with over 15 years of teaching experience and she share gaming gift ideas your children will love – and are affordable. Below are links to various things Heidi mentioned in the podcast – you need to listen to the episode to understand…

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Tech Tool for Dyslexia: How Lexercise Can Help Homeschoolers

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301: Tech Tool for Dyslexia: How Lexercise Can Help Homeschoolers This episode with guest Tauna Meyer from Proverbial Homemaker discusses Lexercise, a tech tool designed to help homeschooling families with children who have dyslexia. Tauna is sponsored by Lexercise but is really seeing a difference with her son. Key Points: Homeschooling a child wi…

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Celebrating 300 Episodes: 15 Tools in 15 Minutes with Exclusive Bonuses 25:17

10M ago25:17

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300: Celebrating 300 Episodes: 15 Tools in 15 Minutes with Exclusive Bonuses Join us as we celebrate the 300th episode of Homeschooling with Technology! Host Meryl van der Merwe highlights 15 top tech tools she uses in both her online classes and everyday life. Each tool has been featured at some point over the podcast’s journey, making this episod…

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Pursuing tech literacy in your homeschool

11M ago

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299: Pursuing tech literacy in your homeschool Crystin Morris, a homeschool mom and founder of Delightfully Feasting, shares ideas on how to approach tech literacy in a homeschool environment. She provides practical guidance for integrating tech skills into everyday learning while maintaining a balanced, holistic approach. Key Tech Literacy Skills …

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Instagram’s New Teen Safety Features 18:23

11M ago18:23

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298: Instagram’s New Teen Safety Features Upcoming Episode Celebration: Episode 300 is just around the corner! Tune in when it releases to enjoy freebies, discounts, and fun activities. Episode Highlights: Overview of Instagram’s New Safety Features for Teens Instagram has introduced several safety protocols for users aged 13-18, defaulting their a…

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AI-Powered Learning with Notebook LM 13:24

11M ago13:24

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297: AI-Powered Learning with Notebook LM In this episode, we look at an exciting tool that can revolutionize how homeschoolers approach research and learning: Notebook LM, an AI-powered app developed by Google. In This Episode: What is Notebook LM? It is an AI-powered research tool available for free from Google. It’s built on the Gemini platform …

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10 Good Ways for Students to Use AI 18:58

11M ago18:58

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296: 10 Good Ways for Students to Use AI In this episode we look at 10 good ways for students to use AI. Last week, weshared 10 bad ways students might use AI. If you haven’t listened to the previous episode, check it out for full context, but you can also jump into this one first if you prefer. Highlights from This Episode: Reading Assistance AI c…

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10 Bad Ways for Students to Use AI 15:02

12M ago15:02

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295: 10 Bad Ways for Students to Use AI We explore “10 Bad Ways for Students to Use AI.” We’re focusing on how NOT to use AI tools. As AI becomes a major part of our children’s future, it’s crucial that we teach them the right ways to engage with it. Key Takeaways from the Episode: No Personal Information AI platforms may store data to improve mode…

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Online Contests for Students 13:23

12M ago13:23

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294: Online Contests for Students In this episode, we explore a variety of online contests for students that homeschoolers can participate in. These contests provide great opportunities for students to challenge themselves, develop new skills, and even win prizes. Contests Mentioned in This Episode: PicoCTF A cybersecurity Capture the Flag (CTF) co…