Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Modern technology has greatly affected homeschooling. Where will these developments lead us? Mike Smith continues his discussion of the history of homeschooling on today's Home School Heartbeat.

Mike Smith:
This week we've been investigating the ebb and flow of homeschooling through history.


The homeschooling movement has grown remarkably in the last 20 years. It is widely recognized as the new wave of education in America.


Homeschooling has always existed, but in the 21st century it has taken a new form. It has become available to the average family and is no longer just the education choice of the wealthy and elites.


One way to think about the transition through history is to compare the homeschools of the colonial times to small-town stores. The mass public education of the 20th century can be viewed as a department store—large and standardized. Today we have shopping malls which cater to everyone's individual needs. Homeschooling in the 21st century can be viewed as a variety of stores in the shopping mall of education. It's a return to the small store in the small town but with modern technology rolled in.


New technology, such as the Internet, has helped more and more families make the switch to homeschooling. The trend appears to be towards a more integrated world, and a world where more families will be able to exercise choice in education.


The future of homeschooling is bright indeed.


Until next time, I'm Mike Smith.