Video Based Instruction Ideasby Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger 23 Sep 2009 11:06 PM My 13 year old has decided that if the curriculum is not video based she does not want to be bothered with it. Over the years I guess I have spoiled her with internet based animation type curriculum like that at Time4learning, and Brainpop cartoons, and math programs like Khan Academy, but her decision to forgo all other forms of curriculum to just watch videos caught me off guard. It's not that she doesn't like to read. She reads at least 100 pages a day and carries a book with her where ever she goes. When we were enjoying California last summer, we had to hold her by the shirttail because she didn't even want to stop reading to cross the street. Knowing how much she loves to read, and also knowing how well she is doing in math with the help of video instruction, I am not going to ruin her plan. I keep my eye open for all kinds of video instructions so that she can watch more than one video for each topic. Finding tests to make sure she has absorbed the video information is also on my to-do list. I also plan to be a bit sneaky and begin purchasing reading materials with historical elements. Gotta love those living books! The biggest barrier to her plan for me is that she won't watch videos that are BORING. This eliminates alot of video instruction on the internet. We still have a few good option. They are: Learner.org has alot of good information, but she complains that the videos are a little slow. Hippocampus has engaging videos and can be used in conjunction with any number of text books. Read How to use learner.org as a homeschool curriculum Discovery Channel is full of science and some history instruction as well. These are probably the most engaging videos, but as a parent you need to search the site to find the right ones for what you are teaching. You can purchase a discovery educations subscription if you wish for $265 per year. The history Channel is very much like Discovery with engaging videos and the ability to purchase history series on video. If you liked this you should also read my blogs at the home blog, the parents blog, and the frugal blog. You can read my recent posts here. Read: Building a Homeschool Library: Educational Videos and DVDs Best free homeschool programs online for 2009. *Have a question about homeschooling? Just ask. * Have you seen the homeschooling curriculum glossary? Learn more about Andrea Hermitt  Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children. Relevanthomeschooling tags User Comments HeLivesInMe (5) 02 Oct 2009 10:09 AMI'm not sure if they might be too "boring" for your daughter, but have you tried the historical videos at the KidMango website? (There are lots of cartoons -- you have to dig a little bit to find the history series.) Here's a link to the Galileo video, for example: http://kidmango.com/series/82 The site's a little tough to get around -- it says it's in "beta mode," so hopefully it will keep improving. I found all the videos by using the list at the bottom of the home page. Not sure if it's what you're looking for, but I can't argue with the price tag! :) Discuss this article
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