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“What type of device do I need for online learning?” That’s a question I get asked often. As our family has embraced digital learning, the list of physical items we need has changed. We’ve needed to upgrade our traditional school supplies to techie homeschool supplies.
We not longer have a dedicated homeschool room in our home. You won't find shelves and bins full of homeschool books and workbooks. Our whiteboard has been demoted to the basement. Instead, our homeschool “room” has been reduced to a bookshelf of Chromebooks and tablets, a few books and supplies for hands-on projects.
Who needs a globe and wall map when you can walk the streets of Paris with Google Maps? Textbooks and workbooks have been replaced with online courses. And I don't think anyone in our family has used a calculator for years.
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How Our Digital Homeschool Evolved
Mind you, my kids are older. And if I had little ones I'd still have shelves full of manipulatives and hands-on learning tools. But, now so much of the paper clutter is gone. No more notebooking and lapbooks since we create lots of digital projects. I've even downsized our reading library since ebooks and audiobooks are so much more convenient.
But… relying on technology for the bulk of our homeschooling means we need to have the right equipment for the job. It's taken me a few years to build our arsenal of techie homeschool supplies, adding new devices as our budget allowed. You see, I've been able to take the money we've saved by using online resources (vs. purchased textbooks and workbooks) and budget that for electronics.
“Must-Have” Homeschool Supplies for Techie Families
This list will help you understand which devices you need to easily access online materials and tools. And even if you’re not full-on techie yet, it’s a good time to start transitioning and adding more tech supplies into your homeschool routine.
Chromebook
Chromebooks are the best computer for families who primarily use web-based homeschool resources. They work seamlessly with Google apps, including Google Drive. You can easily access your online classes, research on the web, watch videos and learn with web-based apps. Your kids will develop keyboarding skills, something that’s not as much with tablets and mobile phones.
You can get an inexpensive Chromebook and it won’t break the bank. Your student can even carry it with them when they travel, or do lessons from different parts of the house so they are more comfortable.
Recommended Chromebooks
Samsung Chromebook 3, 11.6
Acer Chromebook 14Super Google Chromebook Pixel Touch Screen 12.85
In this live video replay, I explain more about the benefits of using Chromebooks for homeschooling.
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Why Chromebooks are the Best Computers for Homeschooling
Tablet (Android, iPad or Kindle)
Tablets are the best choice for reading ebooks, watching videos, listening to audiobooks, researching online and learning with apps. They're extremely portable, so great for a family that likes to learn wherever they are. There are different types of tablets to choose from so do a little research to find the perfect one for your needs.
Recommended Tablets
Samsung Galaxy Tab E 9.6Apple iPad (32GB) 4th Generation (Certified Refurbished)Fire HD 8 Tablet with Alexa, 8
Bluetooth Speaker
A good speaker is essential for listening to audiobooks, podcasts and music, especially if you’re doing it as a whole family. You can set up your mobile devices to cast your music/audiobooks directly to the speaker. This allows you control the sound from wherever you are without being tethered by cords and wires.
Recommend Bluetooth Speakers
DOSS Touch Wireless Bluetooth Portable SpeakerOontZ Curve Bluetooth SpeakerAnker Soundcore Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Earphones
If you’re using online courses or lots of video for child-specific learning, you’ll need earbuds or headphones for each child. That way, they can all be working in the same space (in your sight) without being distracted by a sibling’s audio. You can get different colored headphones for each child or label cords to keep them from getting mixed up (because no one wants to swap ear wax!)
Recommended Earphones
LilGadgets Connect+ Premium Volume Limited Wired HeadphonesBestGot Headphones for Kids with Microphone In-line VolumeJustJamz Kidz Jelly Roll Colorful In-Ear 3.5mm Stereo Earbud Headphones – 10 Pack
![[Upgraded version] BestGot Headphones for Kids Boys Over Ear kids headphones with Microphone In-line Volume With Transport Cloth Bag Foldable Headphones with 3.5mm plug removable cord (Black/Red)](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51KN1GxU83L.jpg)
Wireless Printer
Once you start techie homeschooling, you’ll love the reduction of paper! However, even if you're using digital curricula, you'll have times when you need to print select pages. A wireless printer allows you to print from any device on the home’s WiFi. This means it is easy to print from tablets and Chromebooks as well as your main computer, without the devices having to be plugged into your printer with a cord.
Recommended Printers
Brother Compact Monochrome Laser PrinterHP OfficeJet 200 Portable Printer with Wireless & Mobile PrintingCANON PIXMA iP110 Wireless Mobile InkJet Printer w/ With AirprintAnd Cloud Compatible
Wireless router
If you’ve got wifi in your home (and who doesn’t), you’ve got a wireless router. But not all routers are created alike. It’s essential to have a router with optimal bandwidth for multiple devices. When you want to be a completely connected homeschooling family, with multiple people online at once, you’re going to need a quality wireless router.
Recommended Routers
NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart Dual Band Wi-Fi Gigabit RouterNETGEAR Orbi Whole Home Mesh WiFi System with Tri-bandLinksys AC1750 Dual-Band Smart Wireless Router
Casting Device
A casting device, such as a Chromecast, allows you to mirror what is on your computer or mobile device to your family’s TV. This is especially helpful for whole family learning times.You can browse a website with everyone following along or play YouTube videos on the big screen. It certainly beats multiple kids crowding around a laptop or tablet.
Recommended Casting Device: Google Chromecast
Streaming device
A streaming device, such as a Roku Stick or Amazon Fire TV Stick, allows you to access video channels and watch content through your TV. It differs from a casting device because you find the videos on the device, not your computer or mobile device. You can subscribe to channels and find videos easier than with a casting device. And you don’t need to use your computer to send the content to your TV.
Recommended Streaming Device: Roku Express
A.I. Device
(OK, maybe not an essential device, but certainly lots of fun!)
AI (artificial intelligence) devices are the “new kids” on the block of essential tech for homeschooling. A Google Home Mini, Amazon Echo or Home Pod appeases curiosity by answering research questions, keep everyone up to date with schedules and help with spelling and math facts. Most AI devices do double-duty as a Bluetooth speakers. I'm confident that, over time, AI devices will develop into a definite essential for techie homeschoolers.
Recommended Streaming Device: Amazon Echo or Google Home Mini
Tell me, which of these techie homeschool supplies are you adding to your wishlist?
Best Parental Control Devices and Software
KoalaSafe Family Friendly Wireless Router with Parental ControlsCircle with Disney – Parental Controls and Filters for your Family’s Wireless DevicesNorton Security Premium – 10 DevicesKaspersky Total Security 2018 5 Device/1 Year
Related Posts
- 7 Things to Consider When Buying a Homeschool Computer
- PC Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Family's Computers Working Great
- How to Use Your Kindle for Homeschooling
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I appreciate all the work you do to put this site together! I just discovered it.
I have a question about Chromebooks, though. I’m a fellow techie homeschool mom and I feel that it’s important for me to teach my kids about digital privacy along with all the rest of it. I have been very tempted by Chromebooks, but I feel very concerned about concentrating so much of our family’s lives and data into Google’s hands, given their abysmal privacy protections. I was hoping you might address this in the video, but I didn’t see any mention of it. I feel like Google has enough info from our use of its search tools, maps, etc. that the thought of having literally everything we do on Google really bothers me. I’ve been using alternatives to Google for this reason, and there are some amazing alternatives, but Chromebook does mean locking into using Google. I wish there were a cheap laptop solution similar to Chromebook that provided the flexibility to use tools like onlyoffice.com and sync.com as an alternative. Have you come upon any such options in your research? Thanks again!
I haven’t really delved into alternatives. Of course, you need to do what you feel is best for your family, so a laptop sounds like a better alternative for you.