What is it? One series of products I was chosen to review which I had never heard of before was the Math Tutor DVD series. A NASA Physicist created a huge library of dvds designed to help students improve in their understanding of math. Subjects start with a cute set of videos for small children in which number concepts are presented with pictures, classical music, and children speaking (aka baby einstein, only all math, all the time.) Subjects covered end with college level math work. Want to form your own opinion? You can actually watch samples from every level of Math Tutor simply by following the links on the website.
What I like: Sometimes my children enjoy watching video material to enhance their learning. Concepts in Math Tutor are presented very differently and thus provide an opportunity to look at things from a different angle and perhaps develop a better understanding. I found the videos to be comprehensive in scope and helpful.
What I don't like: The videos are dry and just about as classroom oriented as you can get. The author stands in front of a white board presenting his material, and actually turns his back to the audience a good deal of the time! He always wears the same tan shirt, and you are basically always looking at the same screen -- which is very difficult! I think they could shake up these videos a bit and make a dramatic improvement.
My Bottom Line: We may use the videos we have, but we are not adding these into my precious homeschool budget this year.
Thank you for this! I've been eying their videos, so I am very glad to know what they are really like. I don't have a lot of extra money for non-essentials especially, so I definitely appreciate this!!
Sep. 17, 2009 - Try these free video podcasts which are not boring!
Posted by Anonymous
Here's a site with great fun videos for kids.
MEET ME AT THE CORNER, VIrtual Field Trips for Kids (www.meetmeatthecorner.org)
Hosted by Homeschool kids from NY, CA, and Colorado. Each show comes with links to fun websites and a Learning Corner of extended questions and activities
The bottom line is; We try not to insist on parent-led learning or gravitate toward child-led learning. We try instead to focus on God-led learning and ask for His input and perspective on every aspect of our home school. That way, when others fuss about what Dan and I are doing and make me second guess our decisions -- I can go back to our decision process and find God's fingerprints, reminding me that this is His way.
