New Face of Homeschooling

I will be speaking at the Washington DC IHM conference June 10/11, 2011. There is no way I can possibly share all the information about the impact of technology on homeschooling in 45-50 minutes. Therefore, I will be posting many of the books and links here. I will be continually updating.

Here is a Bibliography. I have read portions of these books, but have not necessarily cited them. They are not in alphabetical order or organized by topic.

The Illustrated Guide to Assistive Technology and Devices: Tools and Gadgets for Living Independently by Susznne Robitaille, 2010
For people with disabilities, this book offers a wealth of assistive technology, written for the layman.





Learning How to Learn, Revised by Joyanne Cobb, 2003.
Incorporating her own experiences of going to college as a disabled person, she lays out a well organized look at getting into and surviving college. She includes many helpful tips.





Christian Homes And Special Kids by Sherry Bushness and Diane Ryckman, 2003
Published through NATHHAN/CHASK
The book is laid out a little different. Each section is a different topic and then different families offer their first hand experience. There is a short chapter on assistive technology.

 High Tech/High Touch: Technology and Our Search for Meaning by John Naisbitt, 2001
How technology effects our lives.







 The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr, 2011
He takes a look at how the internet and how we interface with technology is effecting how we think. Is the internet encouraging us to think with quick bits of distracted information instead of "promoting deep creative thought."





Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten: Raise IQ by up to 30 points and turn on your child's smart genes by David Perimutter MD, and Carol Comman, 2008.
I bet you can guess what they are going to say! Limit screen time. No TV for children under two. No TV in your child's room. No video games for children under 3. The list goes on.




Better Off: Flipping the Switch on Technology (P.S.) by Eric Brende, 2005.
This is Eric and his wife's experiment to live without technology. But, I would add, there are plenty of uses of technology sprinkled throughout. I did not read the whole book. In my opinion, it is not what you are willing to live without, but what are you willing to live for. I don't know that the author fully recognizes that although there is a hint of it when they baptize their baby.



The Future of the Internet--And How to Stop It by Jonathan Zittrain, 2009.
The is written by a computer geek. It presents a technical look at the history of computer technology. The information is not really related to my topic at hand, but may be of interest.






The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future(Or, Don't Trust Anyone Under 30) by Mark Bauerlein, 2009. Is the digital age destroying people's ability to think and reason, let alone read.






Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology by Neil Postman, 1993. The fear that technology is transforming culture negatively.








 Endangered Minds: Why Children Don't Think And What We Can Do About It by Jane M. Healy, 1999. Are children struggling in school, because of too much time with TV and video games.






 Different Learners: Identifying, Preventing, and Treating Your Child's Learning Problems by Jane M. Healy, 2010. More and more children are becoming labeled learning disabled. Healy takes a look at many of the diagnoses, identifies them, and discusses how they are addressed. For example, Asperger's Syndrom, What is it? Where does it come from? What do we do? Healy also covers how the brain develops, the effects of the environment, and much more.



 Disconnected Kids: The Groundbreaking Brain Balance Program for Children with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Disorders by Dr. Robert Melillo, 2010. This book offers exercises to assess the child and practical solutions to overcome neurological disorders.





Overcoming Dyslexia For Dummies by Tracy Wood, 2005. She includes a list of technological helps for the dyslexic.







Overcoming Dyslexia: A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level by Sally Shaywitz, 2003. Now in Kindle. And there is a later pbk edition. She does have an interesting section on brain development.






Boys Should Be Boys: 7 Secrets to Raising Healthy Sons by Meg Meeker, 2009. No TV or computer in bedrooms.







Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know by Meg Meeker, 2007. One of the few if only authors who includes the importance of a moral foundation and God.







Helping Boys Succeed in School by Terry W. Neu and Rich Weinfeld, 2006. Some tech support suggestions offered.







The Trouble with Boys: A Surprising Report Card on Our Sons, Their Problems at School, and What Parents and Educators Must Do by Peg Tyre.







Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men by Leonard Sax, 2009.








Girls on the Edge: The Four Factors Driving the New Crisis for Girls-Sexual Identity, the Cyberbubble, Obsessions, Environmental Toxins by Leonard Sax, 2010.







Five-Star Apps: The best iPhone and iPad apps for work and play by Glenn Fleishman, 2010.







 Kids in the Syndrome Mix of ADHD, LD, Asperger's, Tourette's, Bipolar and More!: The One Stop Guide for Parents, Teachers and Other Professionals by Martin L. Kutscher and Robert R. Wolff, 2007.










How the Special Needs Brain Learns by David A. Sousa, 2006. The importance of language development in the young child.







Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All in Your Head by Carla Hannaford, Ph.D, 2005.







Making the Brain Body Connection: A Playful Guide to Releasing Mental, Physical & Emotional Blocks to Success by Sharon Pomislow and Cathrine Levan, 2005.







Distracted: The Erosion of Attention and the Coming Dark Age by Maggie Jackson, 2009.







Leisure: The Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper and James Schall SJ (forward), 2009.

New Face of Homeschooling: Pope Benedict XVI Message on Communication

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS
POPE BENEDICT XVI
FOR THE 45th WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY

Truth, Proclamation and Authenticity of Life in the Digital Age

June 5, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On the occasion of the 45^th World Day of Social Communications, I would like to share some reflections that are motivated by a phenomenon characteristic of our age: the emergence of the internet as a network for communication. It is an ever more commonly held opinion that, just as the Industrial Revolution in its day brought about a profound transformation in society by the modifications it introduced into the cycles of production and the lives of workers, so today the radical changes taking place in communications are guiding significant cultural and social developments. The new technologies are not only changing the way we communicate, but communication itself, so much so that it could be said that we are living through a period of vast cultural transformation. This means of spreading information and knowledge is giving birth to a new way of learning and thinking, with unprecedented opportunities for establishing relationships and building fellowship.

New horizons are now open that were until recently unimaginable; they stir our wonder at the possibilities offered by these new media and, at the same time, urgently demand a serious reflection on the significance of communication in the digital age. This is particularly evident when we are confronted with the extraordinary potential of the internet and the complexity of its uses. As with every other fruit of human ingenuity, the new communications technologies must be placed at the service of the integral good of the individual and of the whole of humanity. If used wisely, they can contribute to the satisfaction of the desire for meaning, truth and unity which remain the most profound aspirations of each human being.

In the digital world, transmitting information increasingly means making it known within a social network where knowledge is shared in the context of personal exchanges. The clear distinction between the producer and consumer of information is relativized and communication appears not only as an exchange of data, but also as a form of sharing. This dynamic has contributed to a new appreciation of communication itself, which is seen first of all as dialogue, exchange, solidarity and the creation of positive relations. On the other hand, this is contrasted with the limits typical of digital communication: the one-sidedness of the interaction, the tendency to communicate only some parts of one’s interior world, the risk of constructing a false image of oneself, which can become a form of self-indulgence.

Young people in particular are experiencing this change in communication, with all the anxieties, challenges and creativity typical of those open with enthusiasm and curiosity to new experiences in life. Their ever greater involvement in the public digital forum, created by the so-called social networks, helps to establish new forms of interpersonal relations, influences self-awareness and therefore inevitably poses questions not only of how to act properly, but also about the authenticity of one’s own being. Entering cyberspace can be a sign of an authentic search for personal encounters with others, provided that attention is paid to avoiding dangers such as enclosing oneself in a sort of parallel existence, or excessive exposure to the virtual world. In the search for sharing, for “friends”, there is the challenge to be authentic and faithful, and not give in to the illusion of constructing an artificial public profile for oneself.

The new technologies allow people to meet each other beyond the confines of space and of their own culture, creating in this way an entirely new world of potential friendships. This is a great opportunity, but it also requires greater attention to and awareness of possible risks. Who is my “neighbour” in this new world? Does the danger exist that we may be less present to those whom we encounter in our everyday life? Is there is a risk of being more distracted because our attention is fragmented and absorbed in a world “other” than the one in which we live? Do we have time to reflect critically on our choices and to foster human relationships which are truly deep and lasting? It is important always to remember that virtual contact cannot and must not take the place of direct human contact with people at every level of our lives.

In the digital age too, everyone is confronted by the need for authenticity and reflection. Besides, the dynamic inherent in the social networks demonstrates that a person is always involved in what he or she communicates. When people exchange information, they are already sharing themselves, their view of the world, their hopes, their ideals. It follows that there exists a Christian way of being present in the digital world: this takes the form of a communication which is honest and open, responsible and respectful of others. To proclaim the Gospel through the new media means not only to insert expressly religious content into different media platforms, but also to witness consistently, in one’s own digital profile and in the way one communicates choices, preferences and judgements that are fully consistent with the Gospel, even when it is not spoken of specifically. Furthermore, it is also true in the digital world that a message cannot be proclaimed without a consistent witness on the part of the one who proclaims it. In these new circumstances and with these new forms of expression, Christian are once again called to offer a response to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope that is within them (cf. 1 Pet 3:15).

The task of witnessing to the Gospel in the digital era calls for everyone to be particularly attentive to the aspects of that message which can challenge some of the ways of thinking typical of the web. First of all, we must be aware that the truth which we long to share does not derive its worth from its “popularity” or from the amount of attention it receives. We must make it known in its integrity, instead of seeking to make it acceptable or diluting it. It must become daily nourishment and not a fleeting attraction. The truth of the Gospel is not something to be consumed or used superficially; rather it is a gift that calls for a free response. Even when it is proclaimed in the virtual space of the web, the Gospel demands to be incarnated in the real world and linked to the real faces of our brothers and sisters, those with whom we share our daily lives. Direct human relations always remain fundamental for the transmission of the faith!

I would like then to invite Christians, confidently and with an informed and responsible creativity, to join the network of relationships which the digital era has made possible. This is not simply to satisfy the desire to be present, but because this network is an integral part of human life. The web is contributing to the development of new and more complex intellectual and spiritual horizons, new forms of shared awareness. In this field too we are called to proclaim our faith that Christ is God, the Saviour of humanity and of history, the one in whom all things find their fulfilment (cf. Eph 1:10). The proclamation of the Gospel requires a communication which is at once respectful and sensitive, which stimulates the heart and moves the conscience; one which reflects the example of the risen Jesus when he joined the disciples on the way to Emmaus (cf. Lk 24:13-35). By his approach to them, his dialogue with them, his way of gently drawing forth what was in their heart, they were led gradually to an understanding of the mystery.

In the final analysis, the truth of Christ is the full and authentic response to that human desire for relationship, communion and meaning which is reflected in the immense popularity of social networks. Believers who bear witness to their most profound convictions greatly help prevent the web from becoming an instrument which depersonalizes people, attempts to manipulate them emotionally or allows those who are powerful to monopolize the opinions of others. On the contrary, believers encourage everyone to keep alive the eternal human questions which testify to our desire for transcendence and our longing for authentic forms of life, truly worthy of being lived. It is precisely this uniquely human spiritual yearning which inspires our quest for truth and for communion and which impels us to communicate with integrity and honesty.

I invite young people above all to make good use of their presence in the digital world. I repeat my invitation to them for the next World Youth Day in Madrid, where the new technologies are contributing greatly to the preparations. Through the intercession of their patron Saint Francis de Sales, I pray that God may grant communications workers the capacity always to carry out their work conscientiously and professionally. To all, I willingly impart my Apostolic Blessing.

From the Vatican, 24 January 2011, Feast of Saint Francis de Sales

BENEDICTUS XVI

Vatican Library