When I first began incorporating internet links into my unit studies years ago, I often encountered resistance from parents. It was understandable as the internet was entirely new territory for many families.
At the time, there was genuine uncertainty about its role in education. As an educator committed to ensuring homeschooled children had access to the same research tools as their traditionally-schooled peers, I knew I needed to thoroughly understand this technology myself before recommending it to others.
After extensive research into the educational potential of the internet, I updated my unit studies to include tens of thousands of carefully selected links. These digital gateways opened extraordinary opportunities for students including virtual whale-watching expeditions, behind-the-scenes tours of baseball bat factories, thrilling Ferris wheel rides, and immersive journeys to destinations around the globe. The internet proved to be an invaluable learning resource for children of all ages.
I loved how it create so many wonderful learning options for my children and for yours. Most importantly, what remains at the heart of each unit study is something I consider irreplaceable: curated book lists. Books continue to be my favorite educational resource because the combination of children and quality literature creates something truly magical—lasting knowledge and a genuine love of learning that digital devices alone simply cannot replicate.
Artificial Intelligence: A New Educational Frontier
As we live in an era where artificial intelligence has emerged as a significant force in education, and even grocery shopping and medical care! Commerce. Whether we are aware of it or not, AI now influences everything from personalized shopping recommendations to decision making in colleges, governments, and corporations. Our children are already likely to encounter AI in various platforms, making it essential that we help them understand and navigate this rapidly evolving technological tool.
My commitment remains unchanged: to help students build a robust foundation of knowledge while preparing them to thrive in our dynamic, technology-rich culture. AI represents an additional tool in achieving this goal, but like any tool, it must be used wisely and purposefully.
Intentional AI In Your Homeschool Learning
Just as we approach internet resources and books with careful consideration, we must use AI to capture children’s attention and nurture their natural curiosity. AI should never serve as a student’s primary educational source, nor should it complete assignments, write papers, or compose essays on their behalf. Instead, AI should function like an engaging book, gradually building curiosity layer by layer while developing solid skills and foundational concepts.
Our updated unit studies are designed for versatility and work seamlessly across tablets, laptops, phones, and desktops. Each study maintains its curated book lists as a foundation while incorporating age-appropriate “Ask AI” prompts. Every topical study guides students through essential concepts, introducing them to relevant history, geography, science, and key figures associated with the subject. Additionally, hands-on project suggestions help demonstrate and reinforce important ideas through experiential learning.
The “Ask AI” prompts serve as another avenue for engaging students at their individual learning levels. AI responses can illuminate topics in age-appropriate ways, serving as springboards to books and websites that encourage deeper exploration of both the main subject and the fascinating tangents that naturally arise during learning.
Fostering Critical Thinking With Educational Technology
There’s a fundamental distinction between using AI as a learning catalyst and allowing it to replace student thinking and creativity. When we use AI to help children explore topics more deeply, enabling them to write original responses based on enhanced understanding, we’re developing analytical skills. This approach requires significantly more cognitive engagement than simply asking AI to generate content on a student’s behalf.
Critical thinking skills are not just important. They are essential and they are at the heart of what we teach in our homeschools.
The Most Important Part Of Any Homeschool
I’d like to close with a quote that really encapsulates my approach to educational technology:
“We believe every student is made in the image of God, and that shaping a soul requires more than a circuit board… Let’s use technology, but never be used by it.”
—Dr. Kent Ingle, Southeastern University
It is a reminder that while technology can be a powerful support in education, it is the curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and character development of our families that remain the most important parts of any meaningful learning.
- Using AI Resources in Your Homeschool
- Keeping Homeschool Science Simple
- Helping Your Homeschooled Children Pursue Their Dreams
- What is a Unit Study?
- Unit Studies with Multiple Ages
- How Does this Method Compare to Others?
- Take the Tour: Learn About Unit Studies
Happy homeschooling,
