Woodland Mist Academy Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 I'm curious about the workload - both time spent and types of assignments. Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauranc Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 I'm curious about the workload - both time spent and types of assignments. Thanks! This class has required a lot of time and effort for my son. Requirements for the class include: *two live lectures per week (an hour each) *homework after lecture (from the textbook) *discussion board posts every other week (one original post 200 words and two response posts 100 words each) *a quiz about every other week *an exam maybe once a month *2 labs a month *right now he's working on a paper on a scientific book (she has a list to choose from... he chose The Double Helix-- to give you and idea of the kinds of books on the list. Another one was Sociobiology by E.O. Wilson) Paper needs to be no more than 6 pages in length. *midterm coming up Overall he spends between 15-20 hrs a week on biology. The labs tend to take a long time--- initially the discussion board posts were taking him a long time, but he's kind of got the hang of how to do those now, so are taking him less effort. Between the readings from the text, the homework, studying, and the labs-- he's busy! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland Mist Academy Posted December 4, 2015 Author Share Posted December 4, 2015 Thank you so much! This is incredibly helpful! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daijobu Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Yes, this class threw us for a loop on work load, though dd is in 7th grade and I wondered if she is just too young at this point. I've had to cut way back on other subjects so she can devote time to biology. In fact, we're considering dropping 2nd semester and completing the rest of the syllabus on our own. She's writing her paper on Selfish Gene, which also takes time, but we're made that her English writing assignment with her tutor. But I am pleased with how much she has learned, and I love hearing Amy Upperman's friendly voice during lectures. I've emailed her a few times with questions, and she's always responded promptly and has been very helpful. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland Mist Academy Posted December 4, 2015 Author Share Posted December 4, 2015 Thanks! I'm so glad I asked! It's more time consuming than I had anticipated, but it looks like it's worthwhile work. Is there much busywork? Is the class just audio or does the instructor use the video as well? We prefer video, but it's not a deal breaker. Thank you both so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daijobu Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 (edited) Thanks! I'm so glad I asked! It's more time consuming than I had anticipated, but it looks like it's worthwhile work. Is there much busywork? Is the class just audio or does the instructor use the video as well? We prefer video, but it's not a deal breaker. Thank you both so much! The video component has slides, and it looks like the kids can take turns writing on the slides using a mouse in the interactive component. During the lecture, students can ask questions directly, but my dd prefers to text her questions in which do get answered in lecture. It's kind of neat to see eveyone's comments in the text window. eta: I'll check with dd on the busywork aspect. Right now she's uh...studying biology. Edited December 4, 2015 by daijobu 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland Mist Academy Posted December 4, 2015 Author Share Posted December 4, 2015 The video component has slides, and it looks like the kids can take turns writing on the slides using a mouse in the interactive component. During the lecture, students can ask questions directly, but my dd prefers to text her questions in which do get answered in lecture. It's kind of neat to see eveyone's comments in the text window. eta: I'll check with dd on the busywork aspect. Right now she's uh...studying biology. :lol: Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daijobu Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 I'm glad you started this thread. Dd is relieved to know she isn't the only one working so much! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daijobu Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Dd tells me she would not call it busywork. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauranc Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Agreed. My son says he wouldn't call any of it busy work. He thinks it's worthwhile, but just requires a lot of time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomOfABunch Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 FWIW, DS1 is taking Biology with Thinkwell this year and spending a good 15 hours (at least) a week on it as well. With no busywork. Bio is a just time consuming class. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TiaTia Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 Bumping to see if anyone wants to update! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chanley Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 I still agree that Bio is a very time consuming class, however, the instructor is top notch. My non-science kid absolutely loved how organized and involved Ms. Upperman has been throughout the year. The class was actually better in scope than the freshman bio class I took in college. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalypso Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 My ds14 took the Biology class this year. He worked hard and really liked Ms. Upperman. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiku Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 That seems like a really high number of hours per week for a high school class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 We are also thinking ahead about biology. What do you all think of the Holt textbook that the class is using? It seems that default textbooks are considered here Campbell/Reece and Miller Levin. I don't have enough knowledge about bio to evaluate Holt text. Those of you who opted for this class, do you know how it compares to either C/R or ML? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daijobu Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 We like the Holt text. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiku Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 We did not use the WTM class, but I will say that I chose ML over Holt because there were fewer (but not few enough) distracting graphics and sidebars and the text was more fluid. We used Holt Science and Technology Short Course books in the past and liked them, but I was not a fan of their bio book, and neither was my dd. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocMom Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 Bumping for updates! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmjs4 Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 (edited) My daughter is signed up to take this WTMA class next year. I am glad she is taking the Logic Astronomy with the WTMA this semester so she has had a chance to get used to doing the weekly discussions, etc. I find the work load really interesting. I homeschooled my oldest ds from 1-8th, and this year he wanted to go to public school. I would say his Biology class has been extremely easy, and he almost never has any homework. It is amazing the difference between public/homeschool. Edited March 12, 2017 by WillowFlora 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmjs4 Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 (edited) nm Edited March 16, 2017 by WillowFlora Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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