Home-schooled kids can stay connected

There’s no two ways about it: this has been an incredibly challenging year for Australians everywhere. But amidst the daily cycle of outbreaks and lockdowns, there are things we can be grateful for – things we’re lucky to have in this trying time.

One of the most important and encouraging of these, to my mind, is the way we can help our kids keep learning, studying and connecting with their friends – even when they can’t physically go to school to do any of those things.

Ask any parent and they’ll tell you that home schooling in a pandemic is a tough gig, especially when you’ve got other pressing demands competing for your time and attention, professional or otherwise.

With little in the way of warning, school closures this year and last turned many of us into amateur teachers overnight. But at least we have technology on our side: devices that can instantly connect our kids with their teachers, with their classmates and with their curriculum. If Covid-19 had darkened our doorstep 20 years ago, things would have been so much harder. Not just for us, but for the kids too.

What is it? Apple iPad (8th generation)

How much? From $499 Pros: In recent years, it feels like the more premium iPads (Pros and Airs) have received all the attention, but it’s hard to deny just how solid the entry-level model is. At $500, it’s the best bangfor-buck tablet for most people, and a great device for kids.

Cons: Apple usually updates its iPads at year’s end, so wait if you can. Accessories cost extra and aren’t cheap. The base 32GB storage is very limiting. apple.com/au

What is it? Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i

How much? $799

Pros: If you want to step up a bit from the cheapest tablets and notebooks, this Lenovo Chromebook offers you a more generously proportioned 13.3in display powered by an Intel Core i3 CPU. Storage and RAM are moderate at 64GB/4GB respectively, but they’ll get the job done for most kids.

Cons: If Chromebooks appeal but your budget doesn’t stretch quite so far, consider also the Lenovo Duet hybrid we covered in our 2021 March issue. lenovo.com.au

What is it? Apple

MacBook Air

How much? From $1499 Pros: While there’s a tonne of capable Windows machines for students at this price point, the core value proposition of the Air, Apple’s cheapest laptop, is the new M1 chip: an extremely powerful, Apple-made processor that should provide solid, sleek performance for students for years on end.

Cons: A bit on the pricey side compared with other student laptops, but if performance and futureproofing are priorities for you, this is a computer that will deliver in spades. apple.com/au