as to the possible benefits of incorporating educational software
into your child's curriculum. Is it really beneficial? How do you
know which programs to use? Do educational software programs
replace teaching?
If you are home schooling you are obviously very concerned with
your child's progress. You may ask "will using this software help
or hinder my child's learning?"
HOW EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE CAN HELP HOME SCHOOLERS
Taking on the responsibility of educating your children without
the support of a staff of teachers is admirable but home
schoolers can find the burden to engage children and provide
stimulating lessons difficult at times.
New educational software programs help parents with their efforts
to provide quality education while also offering children a rich
and entertaining medium to learn skills and acquire knowledge
related to their curriculum.
Children find learning easier when they can be drawn into the
experience. Good teachers know how to bring a subject to life for
their students which helps children retain the information.
Games, stories and other educational software provide the
excitement and interaction children are attracted to while
improving skills such as reading and math and building on their
knowledge of history, science or geography.
Many programs also give feedback to the child, helping him or her
build on previous experience or knowledge while also developing a
sense of pride in accomplishment.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE
Not all educational software is created equal. Cute animations
and popular characters will not build your child's skills or even
hold their attention if they do not teach or challenge your
child.
Most software for children will give an age or grade reference
that can be used as a guide for finding suitable topics and are
appropriately challenging for your child. Review the contents to
determine if the curriculum is too basic for your child since
every child learns at a different speed.
Games often have different levels to customize your child's
experience to their level of play. Games may adapt themselves
based on your child's performance or levels can be selected by
the child for each game. Some programs offer an overview of the
progress your child has made; showing which steps have been
completed and which are still to be done.
EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE HAS ITS PLACE
Educational software is a great compliment to the home schooling
curriculum. It is especially helpful in providing an engaging
format for practicing skills such as reading and math or building
knowledge of science or geography. It does not, however,
substitute for the attention and teaching of basic skills by an
interested teacher.
Once basic skills are learned, games and interactive books can
offer your child a forum to build their skill levels or delve
deeper into a topic of interest. For younger children, these
programs can introduce shapes, letters, numbers and teach useful
computer skills. Playing these games with their parents
compliments a balanced learning environment.
Mr. Basheer Ahmad is a freelance internet infopreneur and education consultant. He has several education websites at :
http://www.secrets-to-study-success.com and
http://www.singapore-math-online.com