January 12 - Introduction and Open Office

This is my first article in the new digital edition of The Old Schoolhouse magazine, the premier magazine for home schooling.

Most of the article is an introduction to the column. The column is based on the assumption that parents want to do the following things:

Use technology well to improve and simplify the complex task of home-schooling.
Raise kids to know how to use all tools including technology responsibly.
Expose kids to critical vocational skills, including technology-based skills.
Take advantage of interest in technology to leverage other areas like math and science instruction.
Sometimes learn technical skills (like programming or digital art) for their own sakes.

I'm looking forward to continuing to provide fun and exciting tips as we go through this journey together. I'll be adding links to any software or websites I recommend in the column.

This first month I mentioned openOffice.org, a wonderful free office suite.

Come back in February, when I show some cool things you might not know about Google Earth.