AP Physics Online

[happyhome]

Does anyone have a good vendor for AP Physics online? My son wants to take it over the summer asynchronously and all we can find is full year courses beginning in August? He can’t do the community college because we needed to apply by February. Any ideas?

[stripe]

Areteem 

https://areteem.org/component/k2/itemlist/category/238-ap-courses.html

 

[Farrar]

UC Scout would be another option.

[stripe]

I just found this too, not sure  if it’s what you’re looking for

https://online.rice.edu/courses/ap-physics-1/

[Roadrunner]

22 hours ago, stripe said:

Areteem 

https://areteem.org/component/k2/itemlist/category/238-ap-courses.html

 

Do you know anybody who has used them?

I have a very unsatisfactory opinion, and I am curious what others have experienced. 

[Lulu]

27 minutes ago, Roadrunner said:

Do you know anybody who has used them?

I have a very unsatisfactory opinion, and I am curious what others have experienced. 

What was unsatisfactory about your experience? We are considering using them this summer for Physics, but I haven’t found any reviews.

[Roadrunner]

10 minutes ago, Lulu said:

What was unsatisfactory about your experience? We are considering using them this summer for Physics, but I haven’t found any reviews.

It didn’t seem like a full class. I don’t know how to put that in words. It was mostly a lecture. The teacher talked through the entire class time lecturing and that was it. I think maybe up to 10 problems were assigned on textbook publisher’s site. It didn’t feel like a class. We could have just as easily watched any number of YouTube lecture series and used the same free publisher’s website. 
I don’t know if this was particular to this course (non AP physics) or teacher. But we haven’t looked at them ever again. I would love to see more reviewers because I don’t want anybody basing their decisions based on just my lonely experience. 

[SDMomof3]

4 hours ago, Roadrunner said:

It didn’t seem like a full class. I don’t know how to put that in words. It was mostly a lecture. The teacher talked through the entire class time lecturing and that was it. I think maybe up to 10 problems were assigned on textbook publisher’s site. It didn’t feel like a class. We could have just as easily watched any number of YouTube lecture series and used the same free publisher’s website. 
I don’t know if this was particular to this course (non AP physics) or teacher. But we haven’t looked at them ever again. I would love to see more reviewers because I don’t want anybody basing their decisions based on just my lonely experience. 

This was the impression I got after talking to Areteem about their AP Physics course. The video demo was just the teacher lecturing. When I ask about student teacher interaction in class, they said that students can text questions and there was a discussion forum to ask questions after class.

Edited May 8, 2021 by SDMomof3

[Roadrunner]

1 hour ago, SDMomof3 said:

This was the impression I got after talking to Areteem about their AP Physics course. The video demo was just the teacher lecturing. When I ask about student teacher interaction in class, they said that students can text questions and there was a discussion forum to ask questions after class.

Right, only there was nothing happening on the discussion forum. I mean I am sure they would answer if you asked, but it didn’t seem like anybody asked anything, ever. 

[happyhome]

3 minutes ago, Roadrunner said:

Right, only there was nothing happening on the discussion forum. I mean I am sure they would answer if you asked, but it didn’t seem like anybody asked anything, ever. 

Well that’s not good news. Ugh!

[happyhome]

20 hours ago, stripe said:

I just found this too, not sure  if it’s what you’re looking for

https://online.rice.edu/courses/ap-physics-1/

I did see this one. Do you have personal experience?

[happyhome]

On 5/7/2021 at 3:16 PM, Farrar said:

UC Scout would be another option.

That looks interesting. Have you used this?

[stripe]

Sorry, I don’t have experience but am curious as well. Thanks for your review of Areteem. Pretty pricey for a bad class.

[Farrar]

2 hours ago, happyhome said:

That looks interesting. Have you used this?

Not my own kids, but I'm familiar with many who have used them for various subjects, so this info isn't physics specific. They're... okay? All the classes have a solid curriculum that's really thorough - it's basically like a public school class. You get assigned a teacher so there's a real human on the other end helping you out. But it's totally solo and totally asynchronous. There's a start and a finish date, but within that, you have to pace the work yourself (though there are pacing suggestions and the teacher will help you catch up if you get behind, etc.). And the teacher is just randomly assigned. It's the luck of the draw if they're any good, super involved, slightly checked out, etc. Like, I know stories of people who are like, I barely interacted with the teacher and at least one story where the teacher relationship was so strong they ended up getting a college letter of rec.

[Roadrunner]

2 minutes ago, Farrar said:

Not my own kids, but I'm familiar with many who have used them for various subjects, so this info isn't physics specific. They're... okay? All the classes have a solid curriculum that's really thorough - it's basically like a public school class. You get assigned a teacher so there's a real human on the other end helping you out. But it's totally solo and totally asynchronous. There's a start and a finish date, but within that, you have to pace the work yourself (though there are pacing suggestions and the teacher will help you catch up if you get behind, etc.). And the teacher is just randomly assigned. It's the luck of the draw if they're any good, super involved, slightly checked out, etc. Like, I know stories of people who are like, I barely interacted with the teacher and at least one story where the teacher relationship was so strong they ended up getting a college letter of rec.

That’s what I hear. Every time I look at them, I consider them, then always shake my head and go elsewhere. 
They are more like an online platform than a class if you know what I mean. But then once a while somebody mentions them, I go and look at them again, the same thing. 😉

[Farrar]

Just now, Roadrunner said:

That’s what I hear. Every time I look at them, I consider them, then always shake my head and go elsewhere. 
They are more like an online platform than a class if you know what I mean. But then once a while somebody mentions them, I go and look at them again, the same thing. 😉

Yeah, they're not right for us either. They're definitely better than many of these purely online based courses where it's software and the "teacher" is a faceless, nameless no one. Like, if someone wants a guided, supported self-study, this is a great option. But if someone wants a "real class" then this is not that.

[happyhome]

26 minutes ago, Farrar said:

Yeah, they're not right for us either. They're definitely better than many of these purely online based courses where it's software and the "teacher" is a faceless, nameless no one. Like, if someone wants a guided, supported self-study, this is a great option. But if someone wants a "real class" then this is not that.

It sounds like exactly what he’s looking for. I’ll do some more research.  

[regentrude]

Just one comment ( you may know this already, but as an academic advisor, I often encounter families who don't):

AP physics 1 and 2 do not give college credit towards any engineering and science (except biology) majors; those require a calculus based physics course. AP physics 1 and 2 is a great preparation for that.

[regentrude]

Another comment: I saw the Rice course uses the open stax textbook. Do your student a favor and buy a used old edition of a regular text for them to study from..

OpenStax is free but awful; when I previewed the calc based physics text, I found several severe mistakes within ten minutes of cursory browsing. (They do make corrections for errors that are submitted, so it may have improved somewhat, but real textbooks can be had for under $10.)

[stripe]

On 5/7/2021 at 1:07 PM, happyhome said:

He can’t do the community college because we needed to apply by February. Any ideas?

If you don’t want to wait until next year, I am now going to suggest going to another community college.

[regentrude]

On 5/7/2021 at 12:07 PM, happyhome said:

He can’t do the community college because we needed to apply by February. 

That is very odd. Students can still apply to many 4 year unis until well into the summer ( July 1 at my school). Are you sure they gave you the correct info?

Edited May 9, 2021 by regentrude

[Farrar]

The one "in state" dual enrollment option we have has absurdly far back dates, so it doesn't seem crazy to me. Like, the deadline for my kid to take a class in fall was last week, I think.

 

[happyhome]

On 5/9/2021 at 9:17 AM, regentrude said:

Just one comment ( you may know this already, but as an academic advisor, I often encounter families who don't):

AP physics 1 and 2 do not give college credit towards any engineering and science (except biology) majors; those require a calculus based physics course. AP physics 1 and 2 is a great preparation for that.

He wants to go to medical school. Right now, he's thinking of majoring in Biology. He's only finishing his sophomore year so he has time to change his mind....lol. I need an asynchronous class for him because our community college isn't that great in the sciences and he's taking too many APs next year to add one more. He's asked for AP Physics 1 and 2 this summer out of sheer interest in the subject matter. He did an honors Physics class last year using Conceptual Physics. He loved it, but he's sure he's not an engineer 🙂 He's in the AOPs online Calculus class right now so I think he's got the math he needs for now. I would love your input on a plan Regentrude. Not sure if you remember me, but I'm a humanities mom. Totally out of my comfort zone on this stem walk...lol.

[happyhome]

On 5/9/2021 at 9:42 AM, regentrude said:

That is very odd. Students can still apply to many 4 year unis until well into the summer ( July 1 at my school). Are you sure they gave you the correct info?

I am. Our summer dual enrollment program registers and tests very, very early. The community college isn't great in the sciences anyway so I think an AP would be better for him, at least in Physics. I am having him do Biology at the community college next year just so he can get into a physical lab.

Edited May 10, 2021 by happyhome

[happyhome]

On 5/9/2021 at 9:39 AM, stripe said:

If you don’t want to wait until next year, I am now going to suggest going to another community college.

He can't. We are districted for one and one only. 

[happyhome]

So after researching Arteem, Rice and UC Scout, I think we're considering UC Scout? Arteem is too expensive for what it is. Rice has good content (if you add the textbook as Regentrude recommended) but with no teacher and a mom that can't help, I think it might get frustrating. UC Scout is asynchronous, comprehensive and a complete course. I guess my only reservation is that if you get a bad teacher assignment, it might be a bust. They say you can change teachers but how does that work in real life? I'm going to give them a call and see. Thanks all and if you think of anything else, please let me know.

ETA: He hates UC Scout platform so that's out. Back to the drawing board.

Edited May 10, 2021 by happyhome

[happyhome]

On 5/9/2021 at 9:30 AM, regentrude said:

Another comment: I saw the Rice course uses the open stax textbook. Do your student a favor and buy a used old edition of a regular text for them to study from..

OpenStax is free but awful; when I previewed the calc based physics text, I found several severe mistakes within ten minutes of cursory browsing. (They do make corrections for errors that are submitted, so it may have improved somewhat, but real textbooks can be had for under $10.)

If he decides to do the Rice course, what textbook would you recommend?

[regentrude]

43 minutes ago, happyhome said:

If he decides to do the Rice course, what textbook would you recommend?

any standard text - they're pretty much all the same. Giancoli, Knight..

I can look and may actually have a copy of a college physics text I can send you if you're paying for media mail shipping

[regentrude]

1 hour ago, happyhome said:

He wants to go to medical school. Right now, he's thinking of majoring in Biology. He's only finishing his sophomore year so he has time to change his mind....lol. I need an asynchronous class for him because our community college isn't that great in the sciences and he's taking too many APs next year to add one more. He's asked for AP Physics 1 and 2 this summer out of sheer interest in the subject matter. He did an honors Physics class last year using Conceptual Physics. He loved it, but he's sure he's not an engineer 🙂 He's in the AOPs online Calculus class right now so I think he's got the math he needs for now. I would love your input on a plan Regentrude. Not sure if you remember me, but I'm a humanities mom. Totally out of my comfort zone on this stem walk...lol.

Happy to help, but not sure what plan you mean.
AP 1&2 would be sufficient for a biology major and he wouldn't have to take physics at college.
I would strongly advise against attempting to take both over the summer.  
What questions can I help with?

[happyhome]

11 minutes ago, regentrude said:

Happy to help, but not sure what plan you mean.
AP 1&2 would be sufficient for a biology major and he wouldn't have to take physics at college.
I would strongly advise against attempting to take both over the summer.  
What questions can I help with?

You just did 🙂 I was wondering if 1 & 2 was too aggressive. Maybe he'll do 1 this summer and 2 next, then. If he does the Giancoli text with the Rice course or maybe Derek Owens alongside, would that prepare him for the AP Physics 1 exam? He wants to work the text on his own, but if he gets confused or stuck, I can't help him so I think he needs some direction/support. He doesn't need a teacher or daily lectures per se. He's a bright kid and a self starter and has always worked asynchronously, but have you seen students successfully self study for the AP Exams? Maybe a full blown course is required?

[regentrude]

20 minutes ago, happyhome said:

You just did 🙂 I was wondering if 1 & 2 was too aggressive. Maybe he'll do 1 this summer and 2 next, then. If he does the Giancoli text with the Rice course or maybe Derek Owens alongside, would that prepare him for the AP Physics 1 exam?
 

I would assume so. I am not familiar with the specific exam. He should also get a designated prep book for the AP exam because there is always some targeted test prep needed for the format. This should also have the specific lineup of topics.

 

Quote

He wants to work the text on his own, but if he gets confused or stuck, I can't help him so I think he needs some direction/support. He doesn't need a teacher or daily lectures per se. He's a bright kid and a self starter and has always worked asynchronously, but have you seen students successfully self study for the AP Exams? Maybe a full blown course is required?

I have had students successfully study for the college courses or the AP Physics C exams. But of course I don't know your student.

[fourisenough]

@happyhome Sorry for jumping in here, but if the goal of taking those AP classes/exams is to earn college credit and not take physics in college, you may want to look into whether that could be problematic for medical school admissions. It’s my understanding that for some med schools, the core pre-requisite classes must be taken at a 4-year university (no CC or AP credit allowed). 
 

Obviously, solid physics exposure now will make college physics easier if he’s just taking the classes for high school credit.

[Farrar]

There's also the issue where the level of the coursework can help a student get into a better college even if it doesn't end up counting for the right college credits they need in college. I think that's been alluded to here in various ways, but just spelling it out.

If you do the Rice course, I'd just get a tutor lined up for a session or two on a tutor service like Wyzant or locally... just so that you know you're covered.

[happyhome]

50 minutes ago, fourisenough said:

@happyhome Sorry for jumping in here, but if the goal of taking those AP classes/exams is to earn college credit and not take physics in college, you may want to look into whether that could be problematic for medical school admissions. It’s my understanding that for some med schools, the core pre-requisite classes must be taken at a 4-year university (no CC or AP credit allowed). 
 

Obviously, solid physics exposure now will make college physics easier if he’s just taking the classes for high school credit.

This would be only for high school credit. His desire to post good scores is for college admission purposes. He wouldn’t seek college credit.

[Roadrunner]

Maybe my kids are dumb, but to do a class over the summer and then review before the exam for an AP science course would be a disaster in this house. I just think there is too much time between the course and the exam, even with prep. But this is just based on my experience with my kids. I am amazed children seem to do that with no issues. I don’t want to think about what it implies about my kids. 😉

[Arcadia]

4 hours ago, happyhome said:

. He did an honors Physics class last year using Conceptual Physics. He loved it, but he's sure he's not an engineer 🙂 He's in the AOPs online Calculus class right now so I think he's got the math he needs for now.

He might want to do AP Physics C Mechanics this summer and AP Physics C Electricity & Magnetism next summer. 
 

[stripe]

4 hours ago, happyhome said:

He can't. We are districted for one and one only. 

Can you take it somewhere else out of district/out of state online? 

[happyhome]

2 hours ago, Roadrunner said:

Maybe my kids are dumb, but to do a class over the summer and then review before the exam for an AP science course would be a disaster in this house. I just think there is too much time between the course and the exam, even with prep. But this is just based on my experience with my kids. I am amazed children seem to do that with no issues. I don’t want to think about what it implies about my kids. 😉

Well I wish I could promise success but it may be a crash and burn for us here. He’s pretty confident so I told him he could try. I figure, worst case scenario, we’ll call it Honors Physics and be done. 

[happyhome]

1 hour ago, stripe said:

Can you take it somewhere else out of district/out of state online? 

Not for this summer. 

[happyhome]

1 hour ago, Arcadia said:

He might want to do AP Physics C Mechanics this summer and AP Physics C Electricity & Magnetism next summer. 
 

Is that just because he already went through Hewitt or some other reason? 

[happyhome]

3 hours ago, Farrar said:

There's also the issue where the level of the coursework can help a student get into a better college even if it doesn't end up counting for the right college credits they need in college. I think that's been alluded to here in various ways, but just spelling it out.

If you do the Rice course, I'd just get a tutor lined up for a session or two on a tutor service like Wyzant or locally... just so that you know you're covered.

Very good advice. Thank you!

[Arcadia]

1 minute ago, happyhome said:

Is that just because he already went through Hewitt or some other reason? 

If he is taking AoPS calculus now, he should be more than ready to take the AP Physics C courses. My younger took those after AoPS precalculus while my older took them after AoPS calculus. My kids took them during the academic year with PAH a few years ago.

[happyhome]

8 minutes ago, Arcadia said:

If he is taking AoPS calculus now, he should be more than ready to take the AP Physics C courses. My younger took those after AoPS precalculus while my older took them after AoPS calculus. My kids took them during the academic year with PAH a few years ago.

Interesting. Who did they have as instructors? We were thinking of taking the PAH combined Physics 1/2 class next year but he’s already taking AP Bio, Lang, Psych and Stats. I thought it would be too much. Maybe he does Stats over the summer and one of the Physics classes for the full year? He wants to go pre med and major in Biology. He’s also a total math geek and spends inordinate and obsessive amounts of time on AOPs forums😂. He says he “must” minor in math. So maybe Physics C will scratch the math itch? Trying to figure all of this out.

[Arcadia]

16 minutes ago, happyhome said:

Who did they have as instructors? We were thinking of taking the PAH combined Physics 1/2 class next year but he’s already taking AP Bio, Lang, Psych and Stats. I thought it would be too much. Maybe he does Stats over the summer and one of the Physics classes for the full year? 

Mine did AP Stats in summer together with AP Macroeconomics & AP Microeconomics. They did AP Physics C with Jeff Lanctot (https://www.aphomeschoolers.com/cgi-bin/choose.pl?class=physicsb). People here generally prefer Jack Kernion (https://www.aphomeschoolers.com/cgi-bin/choose.pl?class=physics3)

[JennyD]

My son did AP Physics 1 and 2 this past year at home, using the Knight textbook, a lab kit, and a (slightly modified) syllabus regentrude shared some years ago.  (Oh, and her tests, too!)    DH supervised him but if one of us hadn't had the necessary background it would have worked fine to just hire a tutor,  I think.   DS hasn't yet taken the AP test so I can't tell you how well he did, but he learned a ton and generally enjoyed the course.

 

[stripe]

7 hours ago, Arcadia said:

Mine did AP Stats in summer together with AP Macroeconomics & AP Microeconomics. They did AP Physics C with Jeff Lanctot (https://www.aphomeschoolers.com/cgi-bin/choose.pl?class=physicsb). People here generally prefer Jack Kernion (https://www.aphomeschoolers.com/cgi-bin/choose.pl?class=physics3)

Were these in a class or on their own? It looks like one can use Jack Kernion’s website to self study at any time for Physics C for $175 for each of the components, so it could be done over the summer.

Edited May 11, 2021 by stripe

[Arcadia]

3 hours ago, stripe said:

Were these in a class or on their own? It looks like one can use Jack Kernion’s website to self study at any time for Physics C for $175 for each of the components, so it could be done over the summer.

They did the class in 8th grade and they don’t like to self study unless that’s the only option. Being in a brick and mortar class would have been their first choice. 

[regentrude]

@happyhome If your DS had calculus and is interested in self studying, I can recommend you a website that contains a complete semester of (very good) video lectures for a calc based physics 1 class , along with homework problems and old exams. (there's one for physics 2 as well) And it's free. Pm me for the link

Only caveat: no idea how it matches up with the specific format of the APs

Edited May 11, 2021 by regentrude

[happyhome]

So is the correct order Physics 1, 2, C?? He doesn’t want to be an engineer. He just loves all things science. He’s in Calc BC right now. What’s the right starting point for a comprehensive, rigorous physics overview with no college credit needed?

[SDMomof3]

Thinkwell’s Honors Physics is Calculus base. I added additional problems from Halliday’s Fundamentals of Physics for extra challenge.