The new norm? Sitting at the kitchen table, trying to do my “job” while homeschooling my two daughters. Oh, you have a literature zoom at 2:30? My mind runs through today’s to do list… which report can I finish in that 30-minute window. Your worksheet is taking a while? Maybe I can draft a media release now so I won’t be up as late tonight. Kids can work on kindergarten worksheets to improve their skills at a very young age.
Every minute is painstakingly filled to maximize productivity and it’s somehow become our normal. What’s more? Even though much of our time together is spent homeschooling, I want it to be fun; something they look back on fondly, which means I have to preserve my sanity in these beautiful daily tasks.
And when the time comes to switching over to focusing on work, I have a find a way to do so without mom guilt because I need to provide for my family. What I’m discovering is that there are a lot of fun, free resources out there that engage and educate my kiddos, when I need to switch over to work.
Our new favorite activity is Gettysburg: A Nation Divided, a free mixed reality app that recreates this historic battle in our kitchen, backyard and weirdly enough… the bathroom. Basically, wherever your mobile device can go, the battle can go. The experience is immersive, not something the girls watch, rather something that unfolds around them with 360-degree views of the battlefield. Their favorite part is the artifact scavenger hunt which allows them a chance to earn Civil War era coins and a deeper understanding in the process. They move our phone around to put Lincoln’s hat on one another’s heads and laugh hysterically when they fit the cannon next to the toilet. It really doesn’t get more immersive than that.
I was surprised to find images of Robert E. Lee riding his horse next to our car and apparently General Picket was in the kitchen with me while I was cooking dinner. Ultimately, my kids were having fun and learning while I was working, cooking and even just sitting.
Thank goodness for technology which is allowing many of us to work from home and our children to learn at home. In an effort to make this app available to as many people as possible, developers QuantumERA have waived their initially planned download fee of $12.99 so that more children will be able to learn from home using mixed reality.
Note: The BETA version of Gettysburg: A Nation Divided optimized for Apple iPads, is available in the app store. Mobile optimization for other Android devices will be coming soon. Free downloads are available for a limited time. The app has been carefully designed for children ages nine and up.
26 Comments on A New Interactive App that is Fun and Educational – Gettysburg: A Nation Divided
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That sounds like a really neat app! I will definitely check it out.
This sounds like a pretty amazing at. I have some make sure to check it out.
I am for anything that can bring history to life for kids! I wish this had been available when I was homeschooling.
Homeschooling is taking over and Apps like this are so great to learn. My kids are distance learning but I never thought to homeschool.
Oh wow! My kids would love this app. They have really gotten into these educational apps lately. Thanks for sharing.
This looks cool! My husband loves history so he’d probably get a kick out of this. Thanks for the idea!
My boys do need some extra learning. I will have them check this out
How cool, we’ll have to check out this app for sure. We’re a big fan of history. We got to visit Gettysburg before too!
This sounds like an excellent app! I love it when history can be brought to life like this.
haha! This sounds so cute and fun. I love that it’s educational while also being fun. That is always important.
Sounds like a really interesting app. I’ll have to take a look at it. I’m always up for trying new apps out.
This is so cool! We have been to a real life reenactment so this would be fun for the kids to play along with.
That sounds like a fun way to learn about Gettysburg. I’m sure my kids would have enjoyed something like that when they were younger.
This app sounds really amazing and interesting! I love that it’s educational. I will definitely check this out.
This looks like so much fun. I love that the kids are learning while playing!
Sounds like a great app! I will definitely check it out.
That sounds fun! Since we cannot go out for now I am saving this.
wow! I need to try this app too! I need some fun while homeschooling!
My husband is a history buff. He visited Gettysburg before and had fun. He’d love this app.
This sounds like a great app! We will have to try it out this summer. Thanks for letting us know about it.
this would be a great app to check out. Civil War history is some of the most important in our culture.
Oh my goodness that sounds like a really cool app. I need to check it out.
I’m super grateful for the technology too, but the platform my daughter’s school is using brings me no joy at all.
This sounds like great app, I will check it out. my son and hubby loves history.
I am going to check out this app. It sounds like a good one! My kids and I love history.
This app comes so timely in this time of homeschooling and finding ways to entertain our kids.. so cool!