? for Math Gurus - DVD Options vs. Textbooks

[1Togo]

Chalkdust and VideoText have lessons taught by a teacher. With Chalkdust, the course doesn't require any interaction with the textbook other than working problem sets. VT is similar. An instructor teaches the lessons, and the student works problems from various workbooks. There are lesson notes, but most of the instruction comes from an instructor. Is there any disadvantage in using a DVD curriculum that doesn't require much interaction with a textbook? Does the student need to read textbook lessons to do well with math? Will they struggle later if they are taught math only through an instructor?

[Teachin'Mine]

:bigear: (even though I'm not a math guru lol)

 

I've been wondering about the opposite situation as dd learns from the Saxon texts without any lecture learning. I'm wondering how the transition to lecture learning will be. I would think that learning from a lecture, whether live or on DVD, would be similar to how it's done in college, and should be an easy transition. I do think it's good to become somewhat familiar with texts, but I would think that using them in other subject areas should be okay. I'm curious what others will say.

[SkateLeft]

I think it depends on the kid, and they type of learner that they are. Some kids don't need to interact with the textbook, and some do.

 

My oldest used Chalkdust with great success. She usually only did the problem sets, but occasionally looked at the textbook lesson if she needed a little extra explanation. Just because the textbook lesson isn't assigned doesn't mean you can't read it. When she took the Accuplacer test for dual-enrollment, she placed exactly where she should have. She's taking college math and chemistry and certainly isn't struggling from having used DVD lessons alongside problem sets.

 

I don't like VT, so I'll let someone else address that.

 

My younger dd is using Jacob's Algebra, and although we have the AskDrCallahan DVD lessons to go along with it, she just works with the textbook and doesn't watch the DVDs unless she needs more explanation. But she learns best by reading and doing, rather than by watching and doing.

 

My son is using Art of Problem Solving's Pre-Algebra which is all about interaction with the textbook. It's a great fit for him, and we just bought the Introductory Algebra book for him to roll into in a couple of months. He doesn't need or want DVD lessons at this point.

 

It all comes down to how the child learns.

[1Togo]

I could edit my original post, but after reading the responses, I realize my question has more to do with the advantages of textbook learning versus dvd learning. There's definitely a difference in reading a textbook and wrestling through the material on your own versus a teacher explaining and demontrating the concepts. So, I am wondering if teacher-driven courses are not as good in some way? I realize that college math courses are lecture-based, but my question has more to do with the heart of two different types of learning. Should a student be exposed to both textbook and lecture learning with math?

[Julie in MN]

I think high schoolers should be exposed to textbook learning, definitely. But I see no reason why it would need to be in math, or in every subject. My kids used a video algebra I and II (Math Relief), and I don't see any fallout. My youngest is on a little math team that has done some competitions and a lot of just challenging math puzzles. I don't see my son at a disadvantage over the other kids. In fact, I think his strength is being able to think on his feet. Although that might not just be from using videos. He also tests every year in MN and i see no problems with that.

 

Julie

[Beth in SW WA]

Does the student need to read textbook lessons to do well with math? Will they struggle later if they are taught math only through an instructor?

 

The student absolutely needs to do the problems in the Larson alg text. CD lectures contain a few demonstrated problems. The student masters the material by doing the problems in the text.

 

Prof Mosely's lectures are wonderful. Do a search here. He is highly regarded. The Larson text is fabulous.

[choirfarm]

Well, we use Chalkdust. We watch the lecture. However, we OFTEN find ourselves flipping back in the book to see how to do a problem. I guess I don't see why it has to be either or. I think we use both.