OHIO — With so many companies providing free resources these days, it can be overwhelming for parents helping their kids to continue to learn at home.
Educators say the key to finding the right resources while avoiding information overload and unexpected charges, is to ask the professionals and keep it simple.
- Seek help from your child's teacher first for vetted resources
- Keep learning interesting
- Beware of subscription sites that ask for your financial information
Library Media Specialist Nellie Schmidt, from Van Wert City Schools in northwestern Ohio, said even though there's lots to choose from, it doesn't have to be complicated.
"Their teachers are gonna be able to give them really good ones that are age appropriate and something that's gonna build on what they've already been doing in class."
Schmidt believes if parents do this, it can cut down on stress and the time it takes to sift through what can seem like a mountain of information.
While you're at it, Schmidt adds that while companies have offered free resources for a limited time, parents should beware of charges after the free period is up, if banking information was entered.
"I would be concerned if you did have to put that in there, just because then they have that and they are able to charge you if they had that set up in their guidelines and you missed it," Schmidt said.
To avoid that, she said go through your child's teacher to get free access to sites that won't leave you in a bind.
"What some of them are doing is having the teacher set up the account and then push the link out to their students and give them like a username or password to use for their students."
Schmidt also recommends:
- Using your public library since they typically purchase subscription type resources for you to use
- Share My Lesson on the American Federation of Teachers website, which is grade level- based work and Common Sense Media, which offers age-based reviews by professionals of media, from books, to apps and games
- Ohio Educational Library Media Association, which provides digital resources
These are sites that have been fully vetted. That's what Schmidt said you want, so you can eliminate the good from the not so good, without being overwhelmed.
In the meantime, Schmidt said don't forget about keeping things interesting as well. That means finding things like virtual tours at museum and zoo websites —something everyone can enjoy and learn from.