mazakaal Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 There are several TTC dvds that I'm looking at for 15yo ds, but I'd love feedback on whether they're any good or not before I fork over the money. The ones I'm looking at are: Fundamentals of Photography Secrets of Mental Math The Joy of Mathematics Algebra I Geometry Building Great Sentences Trails of Evidence: How Forensic Science Works Espionage and Covert Operations: A Global History Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomatHWTK Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Have you read the reviews section? I always look at the reviewers that gave the course the lowest ratings and then decide if those reviewers' issues are ones that would bother me. I have heard good things about the Joy of Math guy and that one is one my wishlist, but I've not purchased it yet. Also, check to see if any of those titles have a sample lecture in the free section of the site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Secrets of Mental Math is on sale through June 10 $9.95 + $5 shipping on dvd priority code 83215 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in MN Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 I'll comment about Building Great Sentences. For this one, I think it depends on your audience or purpose. It is not really about the general topic of building a good sentence. It's mostly about how to build better sentences in fiction writing, and especially the cummulative sentence (one that starts as a sentence and then adds lots of clauses). If you are someone who wants to think about more types of sentences beyond the basics, then the professor is knowledgeable and interesting. If you just want help in the basics, I'd probably do How To Write About Anything. That professor really shows how good writing techniques apply to anything -- even writing a note on someone's windshield or giving directions to the post office. I think of it as a high quality Composition 101. I had the Algebra & Geometry ones, but I think they've been revised since. They were high school courses but seemed more like a supplement that you'd have to line up, and I far preferred Math Relief videos for algebra over the ones I had from TTC. Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazakaal Posted May 30, 2013 Author Share Posted May 30, 2013 Julie, thanks so much for the recommendation. That definitely looks like more of what I'm looking for. Good advice, momatHWTK. I'll check those out. And thanks, Vida, for the heads up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swimmermom3 Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 I'll comment about Building Great Sentences. For this one, I think it depends on your audience or purpose. It is not really about the general topic of building a good sentence. It's mostly about how to build better sentences in fiction writing, and especially the cummulative sentence (one that starts as a sentence and then adds lots of clauses). If you are someone who wants to think about more types of sentences beyond the basics, then the professor is knowledgeable and interesting. If you just want help in the basics, I'd probably do How To Write About Anything. That professor really shows how good writing techniques apply to anything -- even writing a note on someone's windshield or giving directions to the post office. I think of it as a high quality Composition 101. I had the Algebra & Geometry ones, but I think they've been revised since. They were high school courses but seemed more like a supplement that you'd have to line up, and I far preferred Math Relief videos for algebra over the ones I had from TTC. Julie Julie, We loved Analysis and Critique: How to Engage and Write About Anything. This is another one of those resources that can do double-duty, giving you both literary analysis and writing instruction. Remember the lecture on "Knowing Your Reader?" Armstrong proposed that Charlotte Perkins Gilman didn't honor her readers with regards to a certain aspect of her story "The Yellow Wallpaper." I had ds read the short story before the lecture and then asked him if he agreed or disagreed with Armstrong. So not only did we do the writing exercises, but ds actually disagreed with Professor Armstrong's take and he spent about a half an hour presenting an opposing opinion and backing it up. With a bit of tweaking you could make it a semester-long English class. I also doubt my son will ever forget about writing for an academic audience after Professor Armstrong talked about the student that said on a formal paper that Lancelot had no business sticking his butt out where it would get shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in MN Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Julie, We loved Analysis and Critique: How to Engage and Write About Anything. This is another one of those resources that can do double-duty, giving you both literary analysis and writing instruction. Remember the lecture on "Knowing Your Reader?" Armstrong proposed that Charlotte Perkins Gilman didn't honor her readers with regards to a certain aspect of her story "The Yellow Wallpaper." I had ds read the short story before the lecture and then asked him if he agreed or disagreed with Armstrong. So not only did we do the writing exercises, but ds actually disagreed with Professor Armstrong's take and he spent about a half an hour presenting an opposing opinion and backing it up. With a bit of tweaking you could make it a semester-long English class. I also doubt my son will ever forget about writing for an academic audience after Professor Armstrong talked about the student that said on a formal paper that Lancelot had no business sticking his butt out where it would get shot. Yes, this is one of the TTC courses my son likes, and he even does the exercises afterwards (albeit briefly). I should have him do a Yellow Wallpaper one :) As I recall, it was about asking the reader to accept the "voice" of a person going mad but writing calmly about it? I was slyly looking at my son when she read the Lancelot quote and wondering if he saw himself glaringly, and if therefore he'd disagree with her -- he loves being casual like that. He made no response at all. My hope is that I will see results the next time he writes an essay :) I liked that she made several points about respecting her as a teacher, and her job of preparing him for his career. I've listened to it before, but I just started having ds listen this month, after he balked at writing an essay about Scarlet Letter because he said no one cared. I like that Prof. Dorsey references several works that I've "made" him read LOL. Her point about a reference to Homer, made without further explanation, would be for a well-read audience I think reached him. Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyJudyJudy Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 My library has quite a few of the Great Courses, including The Joy of Mathematics. It might be worth checking with your library to see what they have. You might still choose to buy them, but you could preview them first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishMum Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Secrets of Mental Math The Joy of Mathematics Thanks! We loved these. The lecturer was full of jokes and enthusiastic presentation, along with some really out there ties! I got them at the 70% off price. Great value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazakaal Posted June 6, 2013 Author Share Posted June 6, 2013 We have a very small library, and I'm pretty sure that they don't have and TC courses there, but I'll check. Glad to hear that you liked those math courses. They frequently go on deep discounts here (we're in the UK) so I'll definitely add them to my wish list. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readwithem Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 We loved these. The lecturer was full of jokes and enthusiastic presentation, along with some really out there ties! I got them at the 70% off price. Great value. Totally agree - we have loved everything by Arthur Benjamin. I don't think he can speak without big arm sweeps :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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