brendafromtenn Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Good morning, ladies! Due to the death of my father this spring, I am looking for an easier option for teaching science and math to my older two who will be 8th and 10th grades next year. Math and science are my weakest two subjects to teach. (I am a music major who LOVES history. So, I do fairly well with History, English, and the arts......:001_smile: And we will be using TOG/TQ for history and Lit.) However, I will need to be spending extra time next year and in the years to come, caring for my mom. So, looking into BJU homesat. Here is my question. Can you record the lessons on DVDs so that you can use them again with younger children? I have two other children who will be coming along shortly and I would like to share these lessons with them, if possible. Just wondering if anyone has had experience with this..... Blessings to you all this Friday morning!!! With much love, Brenda Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendafromtenn Posted April 11, 2008 Author Share Posted April 11, 2008 as my name says.....Just am not very computer savy....and haven't had the time to figure out what I need to put under my name on these posts.....But been using the WTM method for 6 or 7 years..... Brenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorna in the boonies Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Yes, you can. I am currently doing it. From what I understand, though, once you stop your subscription, you aren't allowed to use your recorded DVDs any longer. This is my first year with HomeSat -- I mainly did it for math and science, as well, but ended up enrolling my 9th grader for all her academics. I am very, very pleased with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendafromtenn Posted April 11, 2008 Author Share Posted April 11, 2008 How do you get the lessons on the DVDs and how far ahead can you record the lessons? (Remember that I am not very computer savy......) Blessings, Brenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorna in the boonies Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 That's okay -- I'm not very computer savvy, either! You need to buy a DVD recorder and hook it up to the satellite system. It's a *lot* easier if you buy one with a hard drive on it, as well. Set the timer just like you would on a VCR -- you will have a choice to record it onto the hard drive or on to a DVD. It's easier for me to record to the hard drive, and then once a week or so, move everything over to DVD. The live classes are shown each day, and then the following week are re-aired all at once in a block feed. I record them onto the hard drive daily so that my daughter won't get behind if we have to leave the house for some reason or if we had a late night or something -- then she can watch them in the afternoon (this week she is 'teching' for a local production of The Sound of Music and isn't getting home until 11:45 or so each night, so this morning I let her sleep through her 7:30 Algebra class and she watched it around 10:30 instead). However, I don't record those lessons onto DVD -- I wait until the block feed is shown the following week and record them onto DVD then. (It makes for a smoother DVD.) I initially just signed up for my oldest, but I was able to find a lot of elementary textbooks for free (a local private school switched from BJU to A Beka and just gave their books away) and you are allowed to record classes you aren't enrolled in (you just don't get the benefit of teacher support if you don't enroll), so I started doing some of the elementary classes with my younger two kids. For those (and for the pre-recorded high school classes, such as English and history), there are two block feeds shown each week. I choose one, set the timer for it, and record it (again, either to hard drive or DVD -- I always do hard drive, and then I don't have to worry about forgetting to load a DVD into the machine). They show one week's worth of classes at a time, so you can only record that often. The exception is during the summer, when they show all of the science courses and the secondary literature courses again -- if you had the equipment by the beginning of the summer, you could get a jump start and record them all then (I will be doing this for my daughter's literature course and for the science courses for my younger two) -- then you can have the whole year (or semester, for literature) recorded before the school year even starts. My daughter will be taking Chemistry next year, but I will not be recording chemistry this summer, as I want the benefit of registering for next year's live classes so we can have the teacher support (you can e-mail the teacher at any time with questions, you get all tests and handouts, and there is a forum you can access where your child can interact with other kids enrolled in the class). All of this is for the HomeSat program -- if you're only going to do a class or two, it might work out cheaper for you to lease the DVDs. The problem with that is that you won't be able to reuse them with your other kids. Still, if it's just math and science, it may work out cheaper in the long run to do it that way. Since I've put my oldest entirely in their classes, the satellite was cheaper for me (I am moving my younger two almost exclusively to HomeSat in the fall -- I'm that impressed with it, and since I'm going to continue the subscription for my oldest, anyway, it makes it an economical choice). If you decide to go with the HomeSat, there is a special running right now -- the equipment is $50 and there is a 30% discount on all materials for new subscribers. To my knowledge, there is not a discount on the DVD option. Ugh -- hope you can make sense out of all this muddle! It's too hard to try to think through things and be in Mommy mode at the same time!;) Let me know if you have any other questions -- this is my first year and I don't have all the answers, but I'll do what I can!:001_smile: (I know there is at least one other person here who has been doing it for years, and I'm sure she is more knowledgeable about it than I!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendafromtenn Posted April 11, 2008 Author Share Posted April 11, 2008 Your post was so helpful! Thank you for taking the time and the detail to answer all of my questions. :001_smile:I understand all too well how time is so precious to a homeschool mom with a large family. I am going to print it out and keep it. May God richly bless your homeschool. Blessings, Brenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen S in Va Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 To add to Lorna's post--I think if your kids are close enough in age, and you use the dvds, they will allow you to keep them for an additional year for a fee--not sure what the fee is, however. And yes, you can record and use tapes for the younger students, but once you unsub from the satellite service all the tapes or dvds you make must be destroyed. I think with the hard-drive courses (only available for up through 8th grade) and the dvd courses (not satellite) the textbooks are included in the cost of the course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 BrendafromTenn said, "By the way not "just visiting"..... as my name says.....Just am not very computer savy....and haven't had the time to figure out what I need to put under my name on these posts..." As you make more posts, your label of "Just Visiting" will change to something else. Something to look forward to! Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendafromtenn Posted April 12, 2008 Author Share Posted April 12, 2008 Thanks for clearing that up! :) I had no clue. I am SUCH the paper and pencil type of gal. Stuck in the 80's, Brenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheri Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 I came here today looking for specific HomeSat questions & answers. Lorna, your answer was very helpful. Can you further explain the difference between the live classes, like the chemistry class, verses the other classes? If you are recording the blockfeed classes, then there is no teacher support from BJU? Forgive me if I have the terminology wrong. Is there a special or particular kind of DVR that must be purchased? We don't have one. Do you need the TEs? I noticed the catalog recommends the school TE and not the homeschool TE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halftime Hope Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 See Yinne's post below. Apparently things are not as I remembered them. I stand corrected. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yinne Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 Are you sure, Valerie? I have the terms and conditions in front of me for the BJ HomeSat Network and it says Item 3, Letter b -- "Upon cancellation, any recorded content of BJ HomeSat Network must be destroyed within thirty (30) days of cancellation." Yvonne in NE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorna in the boonies Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 Can you further explain the difference between the live classes, like the chemistry class, verses the other classes? If you are recording the blockfeed classes, then there is no teacher support from BJU? Forgive me if I have the terminology wrong. Is there a special or particular kind of DVR that must be purchased? We don't have one. Do you need the TEs? I noticed the catalog recommends the school TE and not the homeschool TE. When you say 'the live classes versus the other classes', do you mean the live classes versus the blockfeeds, or the live classes versus the prerecorded "other" classes? I'll answer for both, just in case. ;) The science, math, and foreign language courses are live. The courses are shown in private schools nationwide, and the kids in those schools have the ability to "raise their hands" and interact with the teachers. Homeschoolers can't interact with the teachers during class, but they are encouraged to e-mail any questions they may have. (In my experience, other kids always ask the same questions my daughter has, so she has never e-mailed any of the teachers.) There are also internet forums for each course, and the kids are encouraged to frequent them. The history and English (and Bible, I think, but we don't use their Bible) courses are all pre-recorded. There is no teacher-student interaction -- there is only the teacher, teaching. If you register for these courses, BJUP still provides a teacher packet which includes notes, tests, grading rubrics, assignments, etc. These classes do not have internet forums, and *as far as I know*, there is no ability to contact the teacher with questions (I haven't needed it, so I haven't looked into it and I can't say one way or the other). There isn't any difference between the live classes and the blockfeed classes. The blockfeed classes aren't anything more than the previous week's live classes, all shown back to back -- it just makes for a neater DVD to have them all recorded in one recording, instead of at 5 different times (especially when one's recordings are as sloppy as some of mine are, what with starting two minutes early and ending two minutes late, 'just in case'). As long as you register for the course, you are entitled to all teacher support, regardless of whether you choose to take advantage of the live classes or the blockfeed classes (or, like I do, use the live classes each week for watching and then use the blockfeed to record for future use with the younger kids). I bought the cheapest DVR I could find that had a good sized hard drive. I think they recommend at least 80GB, and I'm pretty sure that's what mine is. I have purchased the TEs, but have not had to resort to them for the satellite courses as of yet. The teachers have done such a good job that it hasn't been necessary. Hope that helps!:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheri Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 Lorna, I'm still learning, so your answers helped, despite my question! lol I still have much to think about, but I think I like the HomeSat option better than the hard drive or DVDs. Brenda, I am going to PM you --- we are almost neighbors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindyg Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 Just to add a bit. You can e-mail the teachers, and they will write you back. There are high school classes that you can watch live. These are called Linc (I think. We're only in 4th grade.) A lot of people do watch these live -- and they like that -- even though they can't interact with the teachers. The classes are also used in small Christian school, and those kids have additional hardware that lets them interact with the teacher. Some homeschoolers report enjoying this interaction. And some report it drives them batty. I've read people report that they like to participate live because it forces them to keep on the teacher's schedule. I suspect that I will simply record these and watch them at our pace because we like to fast forward a lot. I don't know. Maybe high school will be different. There's a very good HomeSat Yahoo group where they discuss these things all the time. If you join, try searching the archives for the info you're looking for. I know Yahoo's search feature can be difficult; but just about everything has already been discussed; so you might find what you're looking for in the files. The address is HomeSat@yahoogroups.com. We've been using HomeSat for 4 years, and we're very pleased with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendafromtenn Posted April 19, 2008 Author Share Posted April 19, 2008 We are up here in Tipton County, but husband works for Fed/Ex. Where are you? I am support group leader for "HUG" out of Millington. Blessings, Brenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendafromtenn Posted April 19, 2008 Author Share Posted April 19, 2008 I have a Lab question that was posted today about what lab kit to purchase with BJU Homesat. Will be buying from HomeScience tools. They say to get either the BJU kit or the MicroChem kit. Any help would be appreciated. Brenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheri Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 We are up here in Tipton County, but husband works for Fed/Ex. Where are you? I am support group leader for "HUG" out of Millington. Blessings, Brenda Brenda, will you PM me more info about HUG? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendafromtenn Posted April 19, 2008 Author Share Posted April 19, 2008 You can tell me what "PM" means?:001_huh: Blessings, Brenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACEmom Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 I live in Memphis....Cordova area. Nice to "meet" y'all! I've been reading the BJU Homesat threads because I'm considering going that route, too. Brenda, we need to talk, girl!!;) I'm all in a tizzy about next year.....my first high-schoolers:ohmy: Jerriann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendafromtenn Posted April 19, 2008 Author Share Posted April 19, 2008 Phi Eta Honor society with Teresa Gallarno at one time? Or did I meet you through the TOG website? Your name is very familiar to me. And YES I am open to talk to you any time! I will have a 10th grader, 8th grader, 4th and 1st. (Just haven't graduated anyone yet.....:001_smile:) High school, while kinda tough, is by far the most rewarding! I am seeing FRUIT finally from my years of homeschooling. I can see LIGHT at the end of the tunnel. Just don't panic, my dear friend. (Trust me, I know about the "big high school panic") The Lord will see you through. People like to panic sometimes on these boards, but the Lord KNOWS your children better than even you do, and HE will give you the wisdom and guidance you need to teach them. You may e-mail me if you like. Blessings, Brenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheri Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 You can tell me what "PM" means?:001_huh: Blessings, Brenda :) PM means private message. Look at the box on the right side of the page above the menu bar, where it says "Welcome Brenda". That will tell you if you have any private messages. You can click on it - I sent you one yesterday. To PM someone you can click on their name in the threads or from the Member List and 'send a private message' will be one of the options that show. PM is sort of like email within the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen S in Va Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 I have a Lab question that was posted today about what lab kit to purchase with BJU Homesat. Will be buying from HomeScience tools. They say to get either the BJU kit or the MicroChem kit. Any help would be appreciated. Brenda Hey Brenda, Home Science Tools is where I purchased the majority of the supplies I've needed to set up the lab for our group at church. You must be getting ready to do Chemistry.....we'll be starting our 2nd trip through BJ chemistry this fall. If you want to do the labs as written in the lab manuals and the teacher does them in class, you will need to get the BJ kit, which runs around $144, plus a balance of some sort--which will run you $50+ depending on the kind you get. The MicroChem kit runs around $114. With the Microchem kit you will need to correlate the lab in the kit with the chapter being studied (although the little blurb on the page makes it sound like this may already be done for you in the kit manual). Not that big of an issue, and it is much more economical. I may go ahead and make this purchase for our coming year in chemistry, too. We ran into some problems in the past with a few of the chemicals in the BJ kit. I'd say, if you're doing the labs with just your own family--get the Microchem. HTH, Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendafromtenn Posted April 20, 2008 Author Share Posted April 20, 2008 All of you information has been very helpful! Thank you so much for giving of your time to help others, like myself, as we walk this road together. Blessings, Brenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindy Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 ((((((LORNA))))))) thanks so much for your detailed post. I've been searching the archives for sometime looking for this kind of information on BJU HomeSat, and here you are!! BJU should put you on the payroll!! This post has been such a blessing. Brenda, thanks for starting this post. Blessings...Mindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorna in the boonies Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 You're very welcome. (It's easy for me to brag on HomeSat. After only one year, I've fallen in love with it.) ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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