Jump to content

Menu

Thinking of switching to TT from MUS


Recommended Posts

Hello,

 

I have a non-mathy 8th grader who is about 1/4 of the way through MUS Pre-Algebra. Hopefully he will finish over the summer so we can start Algebra.

 

MUS is working okay (better than Saxon was for him). We understand the explaination and I like the lesson, practice, review format. We are not making use of the blocks because using them doesn't seem to make any difference at all, although they are there when he feels like following along with the DVD. However, my son is still missing too many problems (as many as half). When he redoes the missed ones, he gets the answer correct on about half and then gets the rest when I sit down with him to work them. If he would work each problem twice the first time through, he would catch some of his mistakes. Half of the mistakes are due to the concept not being solidified.

 

I'm thinking of switching to Teaching Textbooks because of the dvd lessons and answers. I like the idea of him being able to pop in the answer dvd to see each problem worked out. This would eliminate the times when math doesn't get done because I haven't been available to go over it with him. (Hopefully).

 

But, this thought occured to me: Would watching the answer dvd just encourage passive learning? Would he check the workbook page, pop in the dvd to watch the answer, and then move on? I suppose I could require re-working first, then checking with the dvd. I guess my real question is this: Will TT help him be more successful in math than MUS? Will it enable him to be a more independant learner and not dependant on my schedule and availability? What about the neccessity for a computer? Would that keep him from moving forward on the days we have to take school work with us?

 

I'd like to hear from those of you who have used both programs. What were the advantages and disadvantages?

 

Wendy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The text has lessons (the videos are almost word for word the same)--so the program is 'portable'... all of the homework is done on notebook paper...the computer is just for the lessons and to watch any necessary solutions.

 

Yes, solution videos can become a crutch. You have to be VERY careful with the "oh, I see it now" syndrome... Most of Algebra is logical and SHOULD make sense if it is presented well. The real test is when the student has to apply the information themselves--figuring out which step to do next.

 

I do insist that ALL problems in ANY program (Algebra and above) that I assign are worked out CORRECTLY by the student before moving on. Allowing the student to have instant access to worked out solutions too often can quickly become a crutch and a much bigger problem. They are WONDERFUL to have on hand when the student (and/or the parent) gets stuck and just cannot figure the correct answer out.

 

I'm not sure which program would be the 'best' for you--they are not on my favorites list (but I have had tutoring students who have used both). For students who struggle and do not need strong math programs (for future majors), these programs can be lifesavers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My children are shouting "don't do it" when I read this out to them. They hated TT. We are using MUS with the youngest. The next one up, who is now at college, used Videotext. The MUS one may carry on (is on zeta) or may do VT, we are not sure yet.

 

Do you do all the practice sheets on MUS? And all the review ones? Are you racing on before the concept has solidified? Does he explain it back to you? We found simply slowing down the best thing we ever did. For some reason I thought I was in a race. ;)

 

I do know lots of people love TT, so hopefully someone who got on with it can give you the other side of the debate.

 

Willow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We were long time MUS users and my daughter was doing well. We switched to TT for algebra last year because I thought she needed to try something new and use something that looked more like other standard math curriculum as she got older. After several months we went back to MUS and here's why.

 

My daughter does not need a lot of repetition for most math concepts overall. She would get frustrated if we used something like Saxon (although I know it works well for others.) However, with TT there was not enough review. They teach or build on a new concept each day. If she did lesson 20 for instance, and maybe didn't quite get it all and missed 1/3 to 1/2 of the problems. The next day the lesson moves on to lesson 21 with a new or add on concept and she still needed practice with the last one. I found myself having her go back and do them again although now she knows the answer thanks to the solution DVD, or trying to make up problems and I am not mathematically inclined.

 

With MUS she can do as many or as few of the practice pages as she needs to without a new concept coming in. And yes, with TT there was the factor of once we looked at the solution CD we understood, but then there were no additional problems to try now that she had it.

 

As far as portability goes, the MUS DVD's travel just as easily as the TT for us. She also did not like that the the DVD for TT was primarily just showing and reading exactly from the text she had in front of her. It did not add any new problems or explanations and I found she was tuning out as he was explaining things because she could read it faster.

 

We are now back to MUS and she is very happy. I know TT works well for others and I think that's great. Each child is different.

 

But, if you are having issues with MUS maybe a program like Saxon with even more repetition would be useful.

 

HTH :001_smile:

Dannie

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dannie,

 

Thanks so much for sharing your daughter's experience. The reason you gave for moving from TT back to MUS is the reason we moved from Saxon to MUS; when he didn't quite grasp the new concept in a Saxon lesson, he still had to move on in the next lesson and there wasn't enough practice.

 

I was really considering the TT for the answer DVD, thinking it would free him up to check his problems when I wasn't available. But I think the new MUS program has the problems worked out in the solution book anyway.

 

I think we'll just stick with MUS.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

What did your kids dislike about TT?

 

They found the explanations irritating. Like the previous poster they complained it added little to the information in the book. They found there was too little practice of the new concept, and although over the scope of the whole book there is heaps, we found they had forgotten most of them, because they hadn't practiced enough in the first place!

 

A thing that REALLY irritated me was that you watch the video, then you do a whole heap of review, and only at about question 14 do you get to the new concept. Of course after doing a dozen or so other questions they have totally forgotten then new thing they have just been taught!

 

Both of them felt the presenter was talking down to them as well. They don't feel like that about MUS or Videotext.

 

HTH Willow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We switched from MUS to TT and my son did good but he has not retained anything he learned. He used the program too much as a crutch and not a learning tool. May I suggest something about MUS that may help. Many people who have started to use MUS forget (because so many people have done it the other way without problem) that the lesson is supposed to be learned by you, then you teach the student and then the student teaches you before you move on to the extra review sheets. Many people using MUS now just have their kids watch the video with you and then assign exercises. This is why they have a hard time with mastery. Go back to the area where you son is having trouble and have him take a problem and teach you how to do it. You need to act like you've never done math before and ask lots of questions etc. Learning by teaching is an excellent way to learn and that was the original intent of MUS.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We are in the opposite situation we are using TT for my 8th gr DD, and thinking of switching to MUS. She LOVES TT I just think MUS would be a better fit for her, she is NOT a math person.

TT is not passive at all, you work directly from the DVD, you can work from the book only, but my DD usually just worked from the DVD.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just read through the posts and I totally agree with this. My DD just does the problems in the book if she struggles with a new concept, BUT it is the same problem as on the DVD, for my child we need more review on new concepts. HTH's!

We were long time MUS users and my daughter was doing well. We switched to TT for algebra last year because I thought she needed to try something new and use something that looked more like other standard math curriculum as she got older. After several months we went back to MUS and here's why.

 

My daughter does not need a lot of repetition for most math concepts overall. She would get frustrated if we used something like Saxon (although I know it works well for others.) However, with TT there was not enough review. They teach or build on a new concept each day. If she did lesson 20 for instance, and maybe didn't quite get it all and missed 1/3 to 1/2 of the problems. The next day the lesson moves on to lesson 21 with a new or add on concept and she still needed practice with the last one. I found myself having her go back and do them again although now she knows the answer thanks to the solution DVD, or trying to make up problems and I am not mathematically inclined.

 

With MUS she can do as many or as few of the practice pages as she needs to without a new concept coming in. And yes, with TT there was the factor of once we looked at the solution CD we understood, but then there were no additional problems to try now that she had it.

 

As far as portability goes, the MUS DVD's travel just as easily as the TT for us. She also did not like that the the DVD for TT was primarily just showing and reading exactly from the text she had in front of her. It did not add any new problems or explanations and I found she was tuning out as he was explaining things because she could read it faster.

 

We are now back to MUS and she is very happy. I know TT works well for others and I think that's great. Each child is different.

 

But, if you are having issues with MUS maybe a program like Saxon with even more repetition would be useful.

 

HTH :001_smile:

Dannie

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...