DVD or Video schooling can be used to supplement a single subject or as an entire curriculum. Some Math and Science textbooks have accompanying DVDs to explain concepts. Children can learn to use word processing and other office tools for assignments. There is a broad range of educational software to help teach Math, Phonics, Geography, or many other topics. Several language learning programs are available in DVD or video format, as well as various instrumental music programs. Historical films, YouTube videos, video storybooks or educational TV shows are other ways that people often supplement homeschool studies. Since many households have easy access to computers and television, using DVDs or videos in the homeschool has become very popular.

STRENGTHS

• can be used in combination with most other homeschooling methods
• useful for those who are pulling together their own curriculum
• good choice for families who need their children to work more independently
• good for students who have a more visual learning style or simply prefer a high-tech learning environment
• using DVDs and videos from the library can make this method very affordable
• DVDs and videos can usually be used for multiple or subsequent children
• learning about a topic in a video format can help children understand things in a way that might be harder to visualize with just words or pictures (e.g. Science experiments, historical settings, or the sound an instrument should make)

POINTS TO CONSIDER

• having children work independently can reduce the opportunity for parents to learn alongside their children
• watching DVDs or videos doesn’t allow for the two-way communication with the teaching parent that children, especially younger children, benefit from
• concepts might be explained too quickly or too slowly to keep the student interested
• level of technical, educational or teaching support varies

RESOURCES

• homeschool catalogues
• public library
• Netflix or similar video streaming company
• YouTube
• public television
• Switched-on-Schoolhouse
• Robinson curriculum