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Online Curriculums?

 
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Online Curriculums? - 11/7/2008 9:03:49 PM   
frazzledmom

 

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Hi Friends

I'm considering homeschooling for next year and wonder if any of you have tried some of the online curriculums available-Time4Learning, K-12 for example.

I would love to hear your opinions and input.

Thanks

Frazzledmom

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RE: Online Curriculums? - 11/8/2008 9:39:51 PM   
Ellie-Mae


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I use Time4learning for extras. I suppose that it could work well for an actual curriculum for the younger grades, but it isn't set up the way we do our subjects. It is a fun way to review stuff for our kids when they need and they love it. I did check out the math for some of their higher levels and found it rather confusing and I REALLY didn't like the way they presented it.

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RE: Online Curriculums? - 11/10/2008 9:08:43 AM   
amybreit


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I've never used one, but have a friend who used K-12. It was through the ps & they got the computer & all the books etc... for free. They really seemed to like it. They only used it for a year or two while they lived in a bad school district & then put the kids back in ps when they moved. Wish I had more insight for you - hopefully others will.

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RE: Online Curriculums? - 11/10/2008 10:14:32 AM   
sen10tious


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There are three different kinds of online curriculums and they differ in control and authority over the child.

1. Mix and match offerings where you can choose a single course. Parents retain full control of their child's educational plan, keep the records, and can add to it if they wish. The online program is used to supplement your school.

2. Online academies that keep track of records/grades, and issue the diploma. Some people need the structure and accountability this offers. Their rules vary widely. Some have regular class schedules when you must be online for class and others are very flexible. The individualized ones offer parents the most control.

3. Government funded school-at-home programs. These are homeschools only in the sense that the kids are at home. As far as the power and authority goes, the school is making the 'educational context' decisions, not the parents. The parents are basically study hall monitors, although the politically correct terms are "facilitator" and "coach."

The important thing is to find the level that works for you and not against you. Ask yourself how much responsibility do you wish to divide up and allocate to others; and with whom will you share that responsibility—what world views will they be promoting?

You asked for an opinion, so here it is: If there are some things you want to teach yourself, but other areas where you'd like your child to have a fresh assessment, chose #1. If you are unsure of yourself, or just frazzled with time-demands, investigate #2. Look for a program that matches your child's learning style. Some will use online workbook-like pages, some will have a brief instruction that you are then supposed to follow on your own, some are like mini-movies. Unless you want to train your child to think like an atheist, I'd avoid #3.

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RE: Online Curriculums? - 11/28/2008 7:42:26 PM   
goodnsimple

 

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We used time4learning. (for 6th grade) it was great for about 2 months. We liked the math, but it doesn't have a fast forward option, so even if your child "gets" it you have to sit through the lesson...or if heaven forbid you get inturrupted...you have to start back at the beginning. You can skip the lesson entirely...and just do the quiz. (more like practice problems) but then you don't get a check mark and it is difficult to see where you are.
We decided, as ds is on track in math, that it was a waste of time...we could do Saxon on our own and move much more quickly.

The science we never did use.
The social studies/history - BORING. so take the most boring textbook you have. cut anything out of it that might be interesting. Then make it a lesson. Now take the same materiel, mix up the order. that is your second lesson. UGH.

The language arts was ok - but not for us. with a struggling reader the bit of reading was disjointed and difficult to follow. (you know excerpts (sp) from larger books or articles)

But - on the bright side, you just pay month to month, so when it doesn't work anymore, you just quit.
AND it keeps records for you.
It gave me a place to start. and there are people who use it regularly and for a while. It seemed a good program for an advanced reader in the lower grades.
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RE: Online Curriculums? - 12/7/2008 8:17:59 AM   
3cappuccinosmom


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My kids (ages 3 and 5) *love* time4learning. We are using it for extras but if we were just starting out, it might be a good basic curriculum. The only frustration is what someone else mentioned--no fast-forwarding.

I am getting ready to review ALEKS--heard good things about that one.

We actually are using our state's cyber school, but didn't choose the online option. We picked the paper/textbook option (which is Calvert). Less daily oversight.

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RE: Online Curriculums? - 12/13/2008 8:25:04 AM   
singingmom


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Joined: 9/19/2005
From: Raleigh Area, NC
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We supplement with Cosmeo It has everything! Science, history, millions of videos.

They also teach math with flash presentations.. all the way to 12th grade! It's only $9.95/month.

I don't know what I'd do w/o Cosmeo.



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