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Computers and Home Education © Beverley Paine, Mar 2002 Our family began with using a computer mostly for word processing, especially for the production of homeschooling newsletters. Soon the kids were playing all sorts of games. They found the so-called educational games dull and boring, and felt the 'shooting' ones provided enough learning opportunities in language and maths skills. After eight years of 'playing' with the computer all three children are proficient with managing files, word processing for letters, brochures, advertisements, stories and a range of applications, as well as finding their way around complex role playing or simulation games. More recently Thomas, eleven years, has developed an interest in letter writing using email. This has improved his writing skills and given him confidence. The best thing about email is the speed with which a reply returns, boosting motivation to write! Families don't have to spend a fortune to 'get' into computers. At seventeen April purchased an IBM compatible 486 with a CD ROM drive for $300. Although a computer this 'old' won't play the latest games, it is good enough to run useful applications such as Microsoft Word and Publisher and spreadsheet programs like Excel. April can produce top quality essays and projects, incorporating photographs and artwork, to equal anything put out by a publishing company. This really helps motivate April in her studies, and helps her to become familiar with the world of computers. Roger, at fifteen, is more interested in the hardware side of computers, and how to integrate them with his other love - Lego! He is pursuing studies in personal computer upgrade and repair and hopes to start a business with his father in a year or two. Understanding computer jargon is essential in his life. It is a whole new language! Roger's problem solving skills and deep understanding of computer systems and programs astound me. Thomas insists that playing computer games has been the main vehicle for learning to read for him, as increased playing time has coincided with his increased reading ability. The games he plays all require a great deal of reading, and his brother is often off doing something by himself, and unavailable to read for Thomas. I marvel at the speed in which both boys scan the screen and locate information, and make decisions based on that information. Often there are complex tables to be read, or key words to be found in scrolling text. Computers have stimulated learning in very many different areas in our household. |
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Pioneering members of the home education movement in Australia, Beverley and Robin Paine are passionate advocates of true educational choice for families. They began homeschooling their children in 1986 and three years later started the South Australian Home Based Learners network.
Beverley wrote Getting Started with Homeschooling in 1995-97 and since then continues to write books and booklets on home education. She balances spending time helping home educators with working in her garden and renovating her home, as well as continuing to build her collection of writing on a variety of homeschooling subjects. Beverley maintains an extensive collection of websites as well as several Yahoo groups supporting families teaching their children at home.
In 2007 Beverley joined the HEA and became a committee member in 2008: she also edits and produce the HEA Newsletter, HEA magazine, Stepping Stones for Home Educators, annual Resource Directory and other HEA publications.
If you'd like to keep in touch with what Beverley is up to her in her life, sign up for the Homeschool Australia Newsletter or visit her Homeschool AustraliaFacebook page.