Our latest venture (and technological discovery) is BrainPOP (www.brainpop.com).

Yes, I realize that many of you have known about this site for years. I had originally passed on it because it uses what I have regarded as a passive method of delivering information: it is basically a series of animated audio-visual lectures with accompanying quizzes. It covers more subject areas than Time4Learning but lacks the interactive features that I appreciate in that program. Still, the information is presented in palatable chunks and my son loves Tim and his robot-friend, Moby.

We decided to try a trial subscription on the hopes that it would spice up our daily routine. After watching a handful of videos, my son begged for a subscription.

No harm, I decided. What it lacks in interactivity, it makes up for as a good general introduction to a wide range of topics, sort of like an audio-visual encyclopedia. This, I realized, is important for my son, who is an excellent reader but refuses to read on his own. (We're still trying to figure out what is up with that, by the way.)

We continue to use Time4Learning but are happy to have a second option for online learning. I find that my son creates his own interactivity with BrainPOP by pausing the video and explaining things to me or asking questions. At the very least, he is actively engaged with the material.

Now, if I could just get comfortable with this open-ended "unschooling" business...