15+ Techie Items to Put on Your Back-to-Homeschool Prep List

Don’t overlook an important part of your homeschool as you prep for the new homeschool year. Set your year up for tech success.‘

Mom, I need logged in!!’ <small sigh>
“Sorry, that password is incorrect. Sorry, try again. Forget your password? Click here to reset it.” <gritted teeth & a sigh>
Halfway through printing that fantastic new unit study, your ink runs out. <a big, extra deep exhale>
And then that taped-up-needs-replaced phone cord that finally stops charging becomes your tipping point.

And it’s only 10:13 am.

As a new school year approaches, we order curriculum, a shiny new planner, and purchase new books. But what about the not-so-obvious to-dos? I love technology, and I’m pretty adept at it. However, when technology and I don’t get along, my day can devolve quickly!

The Nuts & Bolts

Let’s start with the day-to-day basics.

• Check your cords for wear.  Are any of them starting to fray or split? 
• Order new cords (one of each type you use) now so you have them when you need them. (And you will need them, probably at a very inopportune time.)
• Order new printer ink & paper.  Don’t wait until something has to be printed to realize you are out of ink!
• When was the last time you gave your devices a good cleaning?  Wipe down screens, sanitize hand-held devices, remove keys and clean under them, dust your computer tower & printer, etc.
• If your student will take online classes this year, purchase a good set of headphones with a microphone.  {We like these and these.}

Grab your free techie checklist.

Keeping It All Secure

It only takes one wrong link or a flaw in a device’s system for technology to cause a major disruption in your homeschool. But this is also something that is easy to manage, so it doesn’t become a problem.

• Do all of your devices have the latest update installed? All computers, tablets, and phones?
• Refresh your kiddos’ memories on safe internet practices — don’t click on links you didn’t initiate, never give out your password to anyone, etc.
• Make sure you have a good internet filter/tracker on your devices and that all devices are on it. {We love the original Circle by Disney.  It works over your WiFi; super easy to set up and customizable by the device. If your kids take their devices away from home, consider Bark.}
• Where do you have passwords stored? (We like 1Password.) Choose your favorite & make sure you know how to access it.
• And make sure to add it to everyone’s computer and log into it on each device. It’s not very helpful if you can’t access them! (Ask me how I know…) 1Password & Last Pass both have a family folder feature, so you can easily share your most-used passwords between devices.

Websites, Apps & Extensions

• Download any new apps you want/need for the new school year.
• Install website blockers on your phone & computer if you get distracted during the school day.  (I like the Block Site extension for Chrome & App Detox for my Android phone. Forest is fun if you want to gamify it a bit.)
• Log into all the websites you’ll need this year on whatever device they’ll be used on. If you have younger kiddos or are using any new sites, show your kiddos how to log in.
• Purchase any online subscriptions you still need for this year.
• Check the app store for app updates.

What are you watching?

As the years have gone by, documentaries & other shows have taken on more prominence in our homeschool. A few quick checks will ensure smooth streaming.

• Set up a separate homeschool profile if your streaming platform allows it. {Read more here.}
• Enable parental control lock on Amazon so little ones can’t buy shows without your permission.
• Do you need to download any new streaming apps to your smart TV?
• Load new shows onto your watchlists on Netflix, PBS, Amazon, Kanopy, Hulu, etc.

If you haven’t checked out PBS’s streaming option, it’s the most used one in our homeschool. Here’s why.

Grab your free techie checklist.