How to Balance Tech Work and Book Work in Your Homeschool
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Like most homeschooling families today, you most likely use a variety of tech work and book work in your homeschool. With the technological advancements we've seen over the past few years, a lot of schooling can be done online. Perhaps you've decided to outsource some of your kids' learning with online courses or classes. Maybe you have a high schooler who is dually enrolled in an online community college. Regardless of which end of the spectrum you are on, here are my best tips for keeping tech work and book work balanced.
How to Balance Tech Work and Book Work in Homeschool
Make a list
Start by making a list of what subjects use tech and which subjects use book work. While you're at it, also document any login information for the things done online. It nice to have all this information in one place for organizational purposes. Be sure to make this list for each one of your kids, even if they are taking online courses together or sharing books.
Assess and reflect
If you notice that your list is off-balance, take a moment to assess and reflect. In other words, see if you need to take away some of the tech work and/or shift some of the book work. This can especially help fill any learning gaps or fight boredom. If your child is not excited about math because they are learning it in the form of a textbook, consider switching it up and having them learn it online. Sometimes our kids may not have the words to tell us, “Hey Mom. I don't like learning Math this way. Can I try an online class?” And that's one of the biggest perks of homeschooling… the ability to make any necessary changes as often as needed. Once you've written your list, assessed it, and made any changes, it's time to move onto the next step.
Create a schedule
If some of your child's tech-related work has a set time; for example, an online class being every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:00 am, then you can add that to the schedule. Once you have everything plugged in that already has a set day and time, begin filling the rest of the schedule in with other tech work and book work. The idea of creating a schedule is to give your kids breaks from both. Instead of having them sit down to do all tech work at one time, divide it up so they have a rest from screen time.
The same can also be said about book work. Oftentimes, kids get bored from doing all book work at once. By switching it up, they have a good break from both, all while getting it all done.
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Keep a tracker
If you are homeschooling older kids, using a tracker of some sort can help you keep up with how much time is being spent on tech work and how much is spent on book work. This can be something as simple as an online tracker or form that your kid can keep up with, or something physically notated on paper. Overall, the goal is to see how much time is spent on both. After a week or two, tally it up to see the average. Then, if necessary, add to or take away tech work and book work from your child's schedule.
Think outside the box
Tech work doesn't have to be restricted to just online courses and classes. In fact, there are several popular video games that can be used to supplements your child's curriculum. Children love video games, and pulling them away from the screen can be difficult. However, many of the popular games your children may already play are full of academic potential. One of my kids' favorites is Minecraft. I observed them playing and was amazed at how much they were learning. Before you throw video games completely out the window as a reliable learning tool for your kids, watch them as they play – you might just be surprised!
Final Thoughts
Finding the balance between tech work and book work doesn't have to be stressful or overwhelming. Use the practical tips mentioned above and you'll be well on your way to a tech-book balanced homeschooling schedule. This is a method that can (and probably should) be done each semester to make sure your kids are not teetering too far one way or the other.
I'd like to hear from you! What are some ways you find tech work and book work balance in your homeschool? Let me know in the comments below!
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