Roadschooling with Technology

We are not RVschoolers or even homeschoolers who travel frequently. But between activities and the distance we have to travel to them (30-45 minutes), we take school on-the-go more than I’d prefer.  I try to make the best use of our time and I try to make that time when we enjoy things together. 

This year I’ll have kiddos in 10th, 6th & 4th grades, so learning together time is limited.  I don’t want our time out to always include each of us on our own devices.  We love technology but I work hard at creating a balanced, healthy relationship with it.

Tools for Roading with Technology

• A good hotspot We get 50g free a month which is more than enough for our needs.
• Online classes We have through sites like our favorite math class, Outschool, or our live, 1-on-1 Chinese immersion classes.
• A lap desk I wanted something to keep devices from falling as we drove. This one has a grippy surface that we can use for the iPad or laptop. And it’s slim enough that we can leave it in the car.
• A good tablet case The last thing you want while traveling is to find out you have a broken device! If you have Kindle Fires, we like this case for older kids and this one for younger kids. And, for iPads, I really like this line of cases.
• DVDs When we are in the car, traveling, or between activities, we usually have an audiobook on. Occasionally, I like to include DVDs in the mix. I often use this time to supplement our science or history, but I also try to include some older movies–classics, some of my favorites as a kid, etc. We can play them through our car’s system, which means that I can listen to them through our speakers, too. Obviously, I can’t watch them, but that’s rarely a problem. We usually get our DVDs from the library, sometimes Netflix, and very rarely RedBox.
• Downloaded classes If streaming isn’t an option for you, we also use classes we can download on apps like Coursera & iTunes University
• A good stylus & tablet I resisted the Apple Pencil for so long, convinced other styluses were just as good. We tried a few before giving in…I wish I would have gotten it in the beginning! {And for the prices of the other ones, I was almost there!} Combined with a matte screen protector, it’s as close to writing on paper as I’ve gotten. The kiddos can complete writing assignments or worksheets on the iPad with it, my daughter can work her art, etc.