sojmom4 Posted April 24, 2010 Share Posted April 24, 2010 (edited) I'm looking for some input. We have been a dedicated TOG users for years, but my youngest daughter needs something different. I am considering using BJU Press dvds for World History. If someone has experience with the DVDs for world history, what did you think of the teacher? What kinds of assignments are given, and are they given within the dvd classes? Is there any kind of map or timeline work? I have looked at BJU's website and see that the lessons are 30 mins. How much additional homework is required? Thanks so much in advance for your responses. Edited April 24, 2010 by sojmom4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan C. Posted April 24, 2010 Share Posted April 24, 2010 (edited) I'm looking for some input. We have been a dedicated TOG users for years, but my youngest daughter needs something different. I am considering using BJU Press dvds for World History. If someone has experience with the DVDs for world history, what did you think of the teacher? What kinds of assignments are given, and are they given within the dvd classes? Is there any kind of map or timeline work? I have looked at BJU's website and see that the lessons are 30 mins. How much additional homework is required? Thanks for much in advance for your responses. I am changing this post since it had outdated information. There is a new DVD teacher which we haven't seen. My ds did about half of the 2nd edition of the text (World History), and my dd did about six chapters (both without dvds). Both complained it was dry, and the tests were what we call "fact crams." My dd had to study hours to do well on the BJU tests. There are a few changes to the third edition, which I do not know about. This is my last one to homeschool, but if I had another and really wanted to do a textbook for World History I might look at Notgrass (but in hindsight, I would spread history out more like WTM suggests because 6000 years to cover in one school year is daunting). I thought before the school year that Notgrass didn't cover as much as I wanted, but in hindsight, it would be better to have something that is readable and covers what it does well. BJU history textbooks do make homeschooling easy, everything is spaced evenly, there is an activity book if you want it, review questions evenly spaced throughout chapters, and there is a test every chapter. A lot of people like this publisher (I like a lot of BJU products myself). My kids just aren't fond of textbook history. I would suggest trying to borrow someone's copy of this text or going to a hotel meeting or homeschool fair and see what your daughter thinks about it. Edited April 25, 2010 by Susan C. error and update Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLC Posted April 24, 2010 Share Posted April 24, 2010 My DS, who learns well through listening to lectures, enjoyed the DVDs and the teacher. The class includes information about the arts during the time period. Frequent map work is completed in the actvity book, however, there is not a timeline to complete. The tests are tough, but my son did well (A) with a reasonable amount of study usually less than 1/2 hour the night before. There is daily homework including reading the text, answering review questions, and working in the activity book. My son has requested to take ecconmics and government with this same teacher. I guess enjoying a teacher's presentation is really an individualized thing. You can watch samples on the BJU Press website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccm Posted April 24, 2010 Share Posted April 24, 2010 It is the same teacher they use for Economics and Government. My ds and I both fell asleep.... my son eventually did the courses without the dvds. She seems very nice, but she just reread the text and a few of the notes from the margins of the teacher's edition and wasn't very "interesting." The video sample on the BJU Press website has a different teacher now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLC Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 It looks like BJU has updated this class for the coming school year so the comments above don't really fit. I'm not familiar with the current teacher. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan C. Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 It looks like BJU has updated this class for the coming school year so the comments above don't really fit. I'm not familiar with the current teacher. Sorry. I'll check it out, I apologize if I got it wrong, BJU told me at the hotel meeting last year that they weren't going to have new dvds for the new edition for a few more years, maybe they are ahead of schedule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmsurbat Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 It looks to me (from a quick glance at BJU's online/dvd offerings) that the Online version will be updated but the DVD option has not changed (yet). In the past, it took a year (or more) for DVDs to be made available after an updated course taping... HTH, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccm Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 (edited) It looks to me (from a quick glance at BJU's online/dvd offerings) that the Online version will be updated but the DVD option has not changed (yet). In the past, it took a year (or more) for DVDs to be made available after an updated course taping... I received my BJU DVD tenth grade set this week. World History is taught by a new teacher, Mr. Swingle. After viewing a few lessons, we decided that the history was not a good fit for our daughter ("fact cram", teacher talks with few visual aids). I purchased Notgrass and it looks like what we want (interesting reading, literature and Bible connections). Edited May 14, 2010 by ccm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan C. Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 I received my BJU DVD tenth grade set this week. World History is taught by a new teacher, Mr. Swingle. After viewing a few lessons, we decided that the history was not a good fit for our daughter ("fact cram", teacher talks with few visual aids). I purchased Notgrass and it looks like what we want (interesting reading, literature and Bible connections). Thank you taking the time to post your review! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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