StaceyinLA Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 They LOOK great in the catalog, and the price is fantastic right now. If you have had experience with them, please tell me if they are as great as they look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouzel Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 What are the official course titles you're wondering about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouzel Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 If you are referring to the high school courses by Prof. Linwood Thompson, we started the World History, but took it back to the library. It just wasn't in depth enough for our needs or desires. We're slowly marching through world history with in depth courses offered by the TC. We've completed Human Prehistory and the First Civilizations, by Professor Brian M. Fagan, and are almost done with Between the Rivers: The History of Ancient Mesopotamia, by Professor Alexis Q. Castor. Next stop History of Ancient Egypt with Bob Brier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 "World History: The Fertile Crescent to the American Revolution," and "Early American History: Native Americans through the Forty-Niners." Anyone use either of these? Supposedly the guy dresses up in the period clothing and "becomes" the historical figures. They don't even offer them on anything other than DVD because of their "highly visual nature." They sound good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouzel Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 We crossed posts. Perhaps you could check this out from a local library and see if it's a good fit for your family. My family has done a round of both world and American history, so the Thompson courses just aren't a fit for our second round unless we want a more general review. It might depend on where you are at with history. Hopefully, you'll get some more opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 And I wanted to see if someone had used them in the past and what they thought. My plan would be to watch the lecture (there are 30) and use that week to study that topic (more or less, as some topics we wouldn't take a week on, and some we'd take 2). Anyway, that's how I'd like to use the dvd's/lectures, but I don't want to waste the money if they aren't enjoyable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouzel Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 What about interlibrary loan? I've been able to get anything I've wanted from TTC that way . . . so far. BTW, I think your plan is great! Good luck! I don't think our library carries any of these. And I wanted to see if someone had used them in the past and what they thought. My plan would be to watch the lecture (there are 30) and use that week to study that topic (more or less, as some topics we wouldn't take a week on, and some we'd take 2). Anyway, that's how I'd like to use the dvd's/lectures, but I don't want to waste the money if they aren't enjoyable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 I have both of them. I think whether you would like them or not depends on how much "amateur dramatics" you enjoy with your history. Personally, I felt the emphasis was way too much on the drama (very corny) and very light on history (which was more on a middle school level). We never finished the world history course because my then-11 yo DS thought they were completely "lame." The American history course I bought to use with DH's mildly retarded uncle, who wants me to help him get his HS diploma, because I wanted at least one bit of curriculum that said "High School" on it (everything else is elementary level). OTOH, some people love them. I would certainly not consider them a full history course, though, more like a light supplement. Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 Interlibrary loan doesn't work for us because we have to get special permission to use the larger library (we are in a parish that barely has a library), and those who have to get permission can't use ILL. I think I'll probably skip them based on the last review, unless someone else has had a different experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkInTheBlue Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 I'm in the process of watching these DVDs right now. They are not deep (yet) but then again, in the first one he is covering an enormous amount of history with just several DVDs. There is only so much you could go into. I am enjoying them and since I'm doing it just for myself, when my family walks through and watches bits and pieces with me, they enjoy them too. I could definitely see the value in using them as a bit of a spine. Watch the lesson and possibly spend the next class time expounding. I could especially see the value if you're needing to cover a lot in a shorter-than-4-year time. My vote is I've wanted them since I first started creating a TTC Lust List and since I have them and am watching them I made a right decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myra Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 We watched them last year and my boys enjoyed watching the DVDs - esp. "Early American History: Native Americans through the Forty-Niners." We used them to supplement our Amer History lessons. They offered quite a bit of info and are entertaining - something on the fun side! Myra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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