about AoPS . . . a text-only class?

[MomOfOneFunOne]

AMDG

 

That's hard to imagine. It's harder to imagine how that could be at all engaging.

 

How in the world does that work/work out?

[Sebastian (a lady)]

I'm not sure I understand. We have used just the text for AOPS algebra withou using the AOPS online classes.

 

Is AMDG offering an actual class or a schedule for going through the books?

 

[8filltheheart]

I'm not sure I understand. We have used just the text for AOPS algebra withou using the AOPS online classes.

 

Is AMDG offering an actual class or a schedule for going through the books?

 

 

I think she is astounded by and referring to the fact that the classes online are conducted only via text, no audio/visual.

 

OP, fwiw, my ds loved the courses. ;) He took them in the older format. My dd did not like the class she took, but it was not the format that bothered her. She is simply not an AoPS fan and the newer format for the challenge sets and for submitting homework in formated boxes took away the thrill that ds had in writing up all his challenge sets as proofs.

 

HTH

[Ravi B]

AoPS explains its rationale for a text-only classroom here:

http://www.artofprob...wclassroomworks

[snowbeltmom]

I think she is astounded by and referring to the fact that the classes online are conducted only via text, no audio/visual.

 

OP, fwiw, my ds loved the courses. ;)

 

:iagree:

 

My kids also enjoy the online classes. There is a lot of interaction, both during class and on the message board throughout the week.

[Luckymama]

Dd is enjoying this Geometry class so much I am afraid she'll want to continue with the classes instead of just the books :eek: It will make scheduling her ballet classes and FLL team meetings interesting...not to mention the $$$ ("But dh, it's a bargain compared to the tuition we used to pay!")

[quark]

In my 3 years of checking out AoPS feedback on various forums, including the 3+ months that DS took one of their online classes, it seems that for kids who want the challenge, the format isn't an issue at all. I thought that visuals/color/illustrations/video-loving DS would hate it (he took Counting and Probability when he was 8 years old) but he lapped it up like honey. Depends on the child. After that first online class, we're just using the books for now because DH's wallet is already screaming blue murder from all the other outsourcing we do.

 

OP, you might be surprised by how much your child likes it. I definitely was.

[JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst]

I would think that a class like AoPS offers-with direct and fairly immediate response from the instructor would be far more engaging than watching a pre-recorded video.

[MomOfOneFunOne]

AMDG

 

Thank you everyone!!! I'm looking so hard at this . . . your input really helps!

 

We are accustomed to our online Latin, Greek, and Socratic classes and in those cases, interaction is by voice, slides, text, videos, recordings, everything. Boiling it all down to text only is just very foreign to me. But then, math is pretty foreign to me so together . . . I'm rather hopeless.

 

Also, it seems that there is such a tiny amount on the site explaining how the online classes work and giving me any idea of what to expect. Is there more support after enrollment?

[snowbeltmom]

 

Also, it seems that there is such a tiny amount on the site explaining how the online classes work and giving me any idea of what to expect. Is there more support after enrollment?

 

The online classroom environment is very easy for the kids. I think that AoPS holds a "Math Jam" before the start of each session for new students to ask any questions they may have about the class.

[Jen in NY]

I'm not sure if this will add anything to your info, but here's the way we've always done it here:

 

Do the 'suggested' reading and work the text problems before class. (Or as many as possible... sometimes there's no time to get to the challenge problems... but that's OK)

 

Go to class... answer as many questions during class as quickly as possible so your name is first in the list! (JK :) But they do make a kind of game of it!)

 

Start the homework problems.... these are due before the next class, but don't take too long, because there's the reading/bookwork to do to prepare for next week's class, too.

 

Ask on the message board if you are stuck on a problem, or answer a classmate that is stuck on something you understand. Participate! (If you are taking PreAlg or Algebra I watch a video on the website related to the topic that is vexing you.)

 

If you are stuck after asking on the message board, shoot an e-mail to the TA or your teacher. They are always happy to help.

 

 

 

It's a lot, it's fast, but it's fun and there's no wasted time. For my kids, it's pretty much all challenging. I know there are some kids that don't need to do the reading ahead, but they don't live here. : )

 

HTH

 

PS AoPS has definitely been the best investment we've made in our 11 years of hsing. :)

[Kathy in Richmond]

I think that AoPS holds a "Math Jam" before the start of each session for new students to ask any questions they may have about the class.

 

My kids took & enjoyed many AoPS online classes over the years, and dd is currently employed as an AoPS intern TA'ing and grading classes. Our homeschool wouldn't have been nearly as enjoyable without the AoPS school! :001_smile:

 

The summer session Math Jam describing upcoming classes took place a few weeks ago at the end of May. You can view the transcript of the session online. It will give you a little taste of the AoPS style.

 

No, you don't "see" or "hear" the instructor. Classes involve lots of in-depth problem solving, and kids need to think hard. We found that the less-distracting environment of AoPS to be very helpful in that regard.

 

There are still plenty of diagrams used during lecture to illustrate the math. It's not only words!

 

Each class has at least one TA (teaching assistant) to take questions from the students during class & work with them on anything they don't understand. That is done by private discussion, so it doesn't hold up the rest of the class - a good thing. Also, it's a terrific setup for kids who might be reluctant to speak up and ask/ answer questions. All student comments are passed by the instructor before being displayed on screen, which also cuts down on off-topic chatter.

 

You can sign up for a class, and if you don't feel it's a good fit, AoPS will refund your full tuition before the third class session. So it can't hurt to try one & see if you like the style.