Mr. D Math: please share your experiences

[dereksurfs]

Hi, 

 

We are exploring the possibility of trying Mr. D Math for our middle dd who struggles with math. His courses sound like good based upon what we are looking for: https://mrdmath.com/

 

But we do not know very many taking his courses? So I would like to hear from those who have experience with his courses. 

 

Thanks,

[bluebonnetgirl]

Bump

[frugalmamatx]

I haven't personally used his courses but wanted to chime in. Last summer he spoke at the local convention and I attended. I would hand down use his courses based on that - he was entertaining, explained math in ways that made sense {both to myself and my daughter} and was extremely helpful and pinpointing why my daughter has issues with math retention {his suspicion was a type of high functioning dyslexia relating to both numbers and words, masked by a high IQ}

[ByGrace3]

I have been wondering about this as well... I live in an area I think I would be close enough to put together a coop to have in person classes...or just drive a bit to get to one....not sure if it would be worth the effort and money for prealgebra though...

[bluebonnetgirl]

Thank you for your input.  Has anyone actually used Mr. D for Algebra for a struggling learner? I am contemplating between Mr. D Algebra and Math Relief Algebra, as well as Teaching Textbooks.  Thoughts?

 

My only observation is that the guy at Math Relif seems to talk much slower than Mr. D.  The slower pace may be better for my learner with auditory processing disorder.

[2_girls_mommy]

No experience yet either. But I have pretty much decided to do SchoolhouseTeacher dot com next year for geometry which uses Mr. D, so I am watching this to look for any insight as well.  I am going through SHT so that I can get access to the other classes for the same price, but am mostly doing it for the math. 

[bpskowski]

I have not used Mr. D or Algebra relief, but I have a struggling math student.  Last year I contemplated between Mr D and Teaching Textbooks.  I ended up going with Teaching Textbooks (Pre-Algebra).  We have abandoned the DVD's.  Initially it went well, but then he was getting too many mistakes so I had to go through the textbook and back up a redo a bunch of lessons.  Then he started using the textbook himself without DVD's.  Again he started making too many mistakes.  Now I just use textbook and teach him the lesson and review the last lesson before letting him do the exercises.  But the textbook is very incremental and using it as a tool for me is helpful, but it did not achieve what I was hoping. For next year I'll be researching for someone like Mr. D or another live online math class.  He needs hand holding.

[SebastianCat]

Both of my kids are taking math at a live co-op with Mr. D. and love it.   My DS started with it last year in Algebra 1, and is now taking Geometry, and my DD is taking Pre-Algebra this year.   Neither of my kids really struggle with math, but we did have struggles with Mom being math teacher at a certain level, so outsourcing has been a good thing.

 

Mr. D. is fantastic.   He is very responsive to emails and questions, and teaches in a way that makes sense.   The curriculum is entirely online, and you can either do a live co-op, a live online class, or just use the recorded video lessons as an asynchronous program.   Each section has problems to work through, then an online quiz.   It's a mastery based program, with spiral review built in after every 3 lessons.   Each chapter has tests, and there are semester exams as well.   Three times a week there are live online help sessions, regardless of whether you are a co-op student, an online student, or an asynchronous student.   Neither of my kids has needed the online help, but there have been several times where they've need to go back to a section and re-watch the recorded video instruction.

 

Mr. D. also teaches SAT and ACT boot camps (we haven't done either yet) and a "Life Skills for Teens" class (again, we haven't done this yet, but DS may take it this summer).   He also offers 6-week long prep classes over the summer to review and prep for each level, and each of my kids has done one of these classes.