Carolinagirl1 Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 Any reviews? We've been using BJU Distance Learning DVDs for science for the last 3 years and absolutely love them, but from looking at the online sample lessons for 7th grade Life Science, they seem to be dry. While the teacher (Mrs. Gillenwater) seems nice, it appears that she is simply reading from a teleprompter for the entire lesson with a few text box slides thrown in. The DVDs in the past have much more variation to keep the lessons fun and interesting such as fun slideshows set to music, and "meet the scientist" skits. I'm wondering if the sample video is an accurate representation of all of the lessons, because if so, I'm afraid my daughter's eyes will glaze over. She lost interest watching the sample lesson and told me she thought it was boring. I've always been so impressed with the depth of BJU science so I'm hoping the sample video isn't the best. Any experience with it? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nixpix5 Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 I cannot answer your question but I was gutted when I saw they switched from the previous AMAZING teacher and I even contacted BJU to see if accessing the previous dvds was possible (I got a big fat "no") So I have been nervous about this switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolinagirl1 Posted March 12, 2018 Author Share Posted March 12, 2018 I know!! I loved Mrs. Vick in one of the earlier grades!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nixpix5 Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 I know!! I loved Mrs. Vick in one of the earlier grades!! That's who I called and asked specifically about. I wish they would sell off their retired dvd sets. Such a bummer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolinagirl1 Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 That would be nice!! So are you planning to go ahead with the current one or switch? I'm looking at Abeka as well, but I don't think it is as advanced or in depth as BJU, from what I can tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom31257 Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 (edited) I just watched the sample and agree with you. It feels that she is just reading it. That is such a shame.With all the money that BJU has, they should be able to hire the best teachers. Mrs. Vick's teaching in the course was phenomenal! I had both of my children do it when they were in 8th grade. Edited March 13, 2018 by mom31257 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolinagirl1 Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 I'm going to go ahead and order it. I haven't found any science as awesome as BJU, and the video lessons are approximately 13 minutes in length. We can handle that. If I need to, I can add visuals and other things to make it interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom31257 Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 I'm going to go ahead and order it. I haven't found any science as awesome as BJU, and the video lessons are approximately 13 minutes in length. We can handle that. If I need to, I can add visuals and other things to make it interesting. Wow, they used to be 30 minutes long. That is much more doable if you don't like it that much. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamakelly Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 I thought only k-6 lessons were 15 min or less? I seem to remember 7th grade science being much longer. It’s been a long time since we’ve done it though. Don’t they have a sale on the single download classes every once in a while? I watched a sample of 5th science and really liked it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caia Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 The newer classes (last three years or so) vary in length and are no longer set at 30 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolinagirl1 Posted March 15, 2018 Author Share Posted March 15, 2018 I thought only k-6 lessons were 15 min or less? I seem to remember 7th grade science being much longer. It’s been a long time since we’ve done it though. Don’t they have a sale on the single download classes every once in a while? I watched a sample of 5th science and really liked it.. The description says approximately 13 minutes per lesson. I know the course was updated with the new instructor in 2017. I think they have tried to make them shorter in duration. We have Science 5 right with Ms. Ingersoll right now, and it is awesome. I'm not sure about sales. The last one I saw was a one day sale for 15% off. Unfortunately I missed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaceful Isle Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 My daughter is taking life science dlo this year with BJU and has truly learned so much! I recommend it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meadowlark Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 I'd love to hear which current DL classes are GOOD (with great teaches) and which ones are to be passed on. As a newbie, how would you know? Which are the great classes with the great teachers? I hear Mrs. Walker and Mrs. Vick. Anyone else? (I have almost all grade levels so curious across the board) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dotty Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 The video lessons have been cut down by half in most subjects, life science being one of them. The new versions are very stiff, not at all like Mrs. Vick or Mrs. Walker. Mrs. Bullock is very good, too. I just posted about this (didn’t see this thread). Life science is a very rigorous course so I’m confused as to why they shortened the teacher lessons. I’ve watched most of the life science videos and it’s a lot of information without explaination crammed into 10-12 mins. It’s much more of a textbook course now. I’m so disappointed that Bju has done this. Half the teacher time! Mrs. G also does grade 8 science, same 10-12 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.