mo2 Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Is the online component necessary the program, or can the books be used as a stand-alone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjaye Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 I believe all of the quizzes and tests are only available online. Other than the tests, I didn't use any of the online components for the first few chapters. It's possible to do. With that said, now that I'm able to navigate ThinkCentral a bit better, the online component really does enhance the program. It has virtual labs and digital lessons, which really helps mix things up. If you do decide to skip the online component, I'd recommend trying to find hard-copy teacher's guides. The teacher's guides also contain the lab info and inquiry flip charts. I have the full ScienceFusion program and still bought the hard-copy teacher's guides. That was out of personal preference for me. I'd rather flip through a book while I'm teaching, as opposed to searching for something in a digital guide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo2 Posted March 4, 2013 Author Share Posted March 4, 2013 I believe all of the quizzes and tests are only available online. Other than the tests, I didn't use any of the online components for the first few chapters. It's possible to do. With that said, now that I'm able to navigate ThinkCentral a bit better, the online component really does enhance the program. It has virtual labs and digital lessons, which really helps mix things up. If you do decide to skip the online component, I'd recommend trying to find hard-copy teacher's guides. The teacher's guides also contain the lab info and inquiry flip charts. I have the full ScienceFusion program and still bought the hard-copy teacher's guides. That was out of personal preference for me. I'd rather flip through a book while I'm teaching, as opposed to searching for something in a digital guide. Thank you. I do plan to utilize the online component some, but I don't want a program that is completely dependent upon it. Where did you find the TM for sale? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkyandtheBrains. Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 The online component is what makes Science Fusion special. You could do the entire program online without the book if they sold it that way. But the online portion is horrible to navigate in my opinion so we ended up not using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo2 Posted March 4, 2013 Author Share Posted March 4, 2013 The online component is what makes Science Fusion special. You could do the entire program online without the book if they sold it that way. But the online portion is horrible to navigate in my opinion so we ended up not using it. What was so horrible about it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjaye Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Thank you. I do plan to utilize the online component some, but I don't want a program that is completely dependent upon it. Where did you find the TM for sale? I went here to find the ISBN for the specific grade's teacher guide I was looking for: http://www.hmhschool.com/store/ProductCatalogController?cmd=Browse&subcmd=LoadDetail&ID=1007500000079451&level1Code=6&frontOrBack=F&sortEntriesBy=SEQ&division=S01 Click on the grade you're looking for, then find the ISBN for the "Teacher Edition Collection." I then did a google search. I ended up getting my grade 4 and grade 5 guides through abebooks.com. RockyMountainTextbooks was the seller (http://www.rockymountaintextbook.com/). This was the only person that I could find selling them. :( I contacted Saxon Homeschool and they said they would not sell the teacher's guide to homeschoolers. Lame. I'm so annoyed that so many publishers have gone to digital teacher's guides. I understand that some people like it because it's cheaper, but at least give me the option! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delaney Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 What was so horrible about it? I dropped it as well because it is completely unclear. I hunted all over for stuff, couldn't remember where it was, the test portion requires some kind of install thing. Yuck, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo2 Posted March 5, 2013 Author Share Posted March 5, 2013 I think I've decided to go with Holt Science and Technology instead. Maybe. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjaye Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 But the online portion is horrible to navigate in my opinion so we ended up not using it. I agree. It did take me a while to figure out where everything was hiding on ThinkCentral. They definitely could've done better with the organization of online materials/resources. It's a shame, because it really is a fantastic program, in my opinion. Now that I have it somewhat figured out, I will definitely continue with the program next school year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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