Michelle in AL Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 My dd is very interested in engineering. She is a junior and completed precal last yr and this yr is taking AP Stats. Next yr I want her to take Calculus so she will be familiar with it before college. I also want her to have a very strong algebra foundation. Her math scores on the ACT are reputable: 30, but I'm thinking maybe you can't get enough math practice. I'm thinking something like ALEKS would be a good refresher before Calculus. For you mathy moms, does it seem like a good idea to take a refresher since she's had a yr of Stats instead of regular math? If so, is there a better course than ALEKS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 I personally used it a few years ago to refresh my Pre-Calc... it was fast and painless! (Except I had a hard time coming to grips with the fact that my 'pie' chart would NEVER be 100% complete!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in AL Posted December 17, 2010 Author Share Posted December 17, 2010 Thanks Jann, I wonder what would be better prep for Calculus...basic algebra, precal or trig review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 Thanks Jann, I wonder what would be better prep for Calculus...basic algebra, precal or trig review. I'm not Jann... but the real issue is typically algebra. Even for students who have completed a calculus course. You won't need all the trigonometry identities again - a fundamental understanding of the properties of sine and cosine is what's really important - but you need an absolutely rock solid knowledge of algebra. That will also matter in college, much more than calculus. (I teach introductory physics for engineering, science and pre-med students... the biggest obstacle to success is lack of algebra skills.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 I would look at their "College" level Algebra 2 then move on to Pre-Calc. The 'college level' courses are more complex than the high school ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in AL Posted December 17, 2010 Author Share Posted December 17, 2010 Thank you both! I outsource math after Algebra 2, so I really have no idea what calculus requires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 ALEKS is awesome for review. I would highly recommend it for this purpose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swimmermom3 Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 I'm not Jann... but the real issue is typically algebra. Even for students who have completed a calculus course. You won't need all the trigonometry identities again - a fundamental understanding of the properties of sine and cosine is what's really important - but you need an absolutely rock solid knowledge of algebra. That will also matter in college, much more than calculus. (I teach introductory physics for engineering, science and pre-med students... the biggest obstacle to success is lack of algebra skills.) OT, but thank you for pointing this out. It affirms my commitment to take it slowly with my youngest. This is probably why veteran moms like 8Fillthe heart recommend using two different algebra programs one after the other. I have seen how the lack of algebra skills plays out with my oldest and it is not pretty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alecat Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 On a side note .. If anyone is interested in trying ALEKS before buying, they're offering a 1 month free subscription through TOS: http://thehomeschoolmagazine.com/freebiedirectory/2010/2010FD.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anneofalamo Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 Alek as a supplement to our math TT for high school and MUS for elementary has been the best! I love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brilliant Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 Another vote for Aleks as a review. We haven't found it great as a primary course. But my dd needed it to take a final exam in Algebra months after she had completed a course (long story). She used Aleks for a month to review, and got a 98% on the final! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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