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How to Keep Your Kids Safe on the Web

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Safe on the WebThe idea of our kids using the internet on their own can be scary for many of us parents. Part of being a parent (and a big part of why we homeschool) is to protect them from harmful influences. There’s plenty of objectionable content on the web, but the internet itself isn’t inherently bad. Like many other tools it can be both constructive and destructive.

The internet is a doorway to knowledge. Inside, there are many powerful learning tools. One such tool is BJU Press Online Learning, which has helped thousands of homeschool families keep their children’s education on track. But how do you use these tools without also exposing your children to the bad stuff?

It can be done—and probably more easily than you think. Here are ways to use both hardware and software to harness the power of the web in your homeschool while keeping your kids safe.

Hardware

Choosing the right device for your children to use to access the internet can go a long way toward protecting them online. Some are easier than others to manage and “lock down” for a controlled browsing experience.

My personal favorite device for this purpose is a Chromebook™ notebook computer. These inexpensive laptops run Google’s web-centric Chrome OS™ operating system. Though not ideal for all workloads, they’re a top choice in schools because they have built-in keyboards and can be easily managed by teachers, which also makes them perfect for homeschoolers. You can lock the laptop down to being able to display only a set of websites that you define, meaning you can limit your child’s access to only Distance Learning Online if you want to. And it can all be done with a few clicks without any special knowledge of the platform.

Learn more about Chromebook™ notebook computers here.

Software

If you already have a device that you use or want to protect your entire family, a software solution might be the best option. Covenant Eyes® is a special kind of software that can be installed on multiple devices to filter and monitor web access. It can be used to block out specific sites and stores a record of all sites visited (for accountability purposes). They do charge a monthly fee for a family subscription.

You can learn more about Covenant Eyes® here.

I hope these ideas help your family have a safe web experience. If you’ve found other ways to protect your family, help others by mentioning them in the comments below!
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Making Homeschool Easier

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When you think about how to describe homeschooling, what words come to mind? Most parents probably think of words such as love, joy, knowledge, and fun to describe the interactions and bonds that are shared with their children. But I’ve noticed that the words easy and simple generally aren’t associated with homeschooling.

mom sitting at computer working on paperwork

Parents who have homeschooled know that grading, organizing lesson plans, and keeping track of student records can be a stressful, time-consuming process. What if I told you that there was a way you could effectively manage teaching lessons, grading tests, constructing lesson plans, and organizing gradebooks? It’s hard to believe, but BJU Press Online Learning makes all this possible . . . and more!

Online Learning delivers a high-quality biblical worldview education by providing daily video lessons for your child that can be watched from a web browser on almost any device. Expert teachers with years of experience teach fun and interesting lessons that your child can work through individually. Most textbooks, tests, and quizzes are easily accessed from the same simple login. Quizzes and tests are accessed online and are graded instantly, saving you valuable time that can be spent on the important things. Gradebooks and records are conveniently stored digitally, ready to be accessed anytime. It’s like having your own digital teacher’s aide right in your home.

The school day begins when your child logs into our simple web interface. He can see the next available lesson and is able to work through it on his own at his own pace. Many of our customers who use online learning have several children learning at once. One or all of your kids can work independently while Mom or Dad works with the others, makes dinner, or works from home.

Later while the children are playing or after bedtime, you can access the content to see how they’re doing. The answers for most assignments are available right on the lesson screen, so you don’t have to flip through pages to find answers. If you disagree with how the system graded the test question or want to add an additional assignment, no problem. The system is flexible and designed with the parent in mind.

Still in Control

You, the parent are still in direct control of your child’s education. You’re able to customize the program to meet the academic needs of your child.

To learn more about BJU Press Online Learning, please visit our homeschool website.