The Netbook

Our homeschooling world got a little boost a few nights ago. I ordered a mini-computer...also known as a netbook or surfbook...for the girls to share. We have enjoyed it so much that I am actually considering getting another one!

For one - it's cover is pink. How can you beat that for two little girls? Second - it's Becca's size. Actually, it fits both the girls smaller hands well, but she gets overly excited about anything in miniature form. Third - it can handle a lot more abuse than a traditional laptop due to it's solid-state drive. Fourth - we picked it up on eBay for around $100...love bargain shopping!

The computer came with some basic educational games, one being a rapid math activity that was challenging even for me after a few levels. It was quite a nice break from flashcards, but with the same end result. It also includes a word pad, dictionary, music and media player, calculator, pdf reader, typing lessons, and a lot more. The operating system on ours is Linux, which I am still getting accustomed to using. So, even when we are not online, there is a lot for the girls to enjoy. Three USB ports and an SD slot allow me to choose additional content for the girls to access while we travel. I haven't missed a large hard drive or CD-ROM drive at all.

Since the girls do a lot of their basic curriculum online with time4learning, they both require a good bit of time on the computer. Sophie is also becoming very active online with email and her website, bebeandme. In addition, she is following in my footsteps (insert proud mommy smile here) and learning to use Photoshop to edit her pictures. Due to the fact that they were sharing a desktop, Becca rarely got to use it for any length of time. The addition of our netbook has given her a lot more access to her lessons and activities.

I love that they can work from anywhere in the house. My favorite spot for them is right next to me. I can still continue my projects, but am more accessible for their questions and to monitor their progress. Productivity all around! When the weather clears up, my favorite spot may be outside on a picnic blanket or in the porch swing.

I didn't realize that this technology was even available until recently and I am so glad to find it. It was the perfect solution for a problem I didn't realize I had.
Now...what to do with the desktops?!?!?

Like Mother...Like Daughter :)