Digital Classes for a Digital Generation

We have had a good deal of experience with online classes over the past several years.  With three of our six children already out of high school, we have learned how to navigate online courses, but not always with ease.  In our experience, the online classes my kids have done using Pearson curriculum have been the simplest to set up and use.  Up until a couple of months ago, I was totally unaware that Pearson had branched into all levels of curriculum products.
     We received a copy of Pearson’s My Math Lab, Algebra 2, along with the Parent Access Kit, for purposes of review. Algebra 2 is typically taken in the tenth or eleventh grade; but, individual students and school requirements vary.  This is geared toward high schoolers, definitely. I have been so impressed with this curriculum!  Before this, my only experience had been from the standpoint of the student.  That alone has been impressive.  The student materials are thorough, easy to follow, and are mastery based.  By receiving the Parent Access Kit, I have been able to see what has been going on ‘behind the scenes’ for the online classes my kids have taken.  It was a little bit of a challenge to learn the ins and outs of the teacher resources and set up the class initially; however, after some time on the computer just plugging away and learning, the class was set up to my custom standards and was ready to go.  Honestly, once the class is set up, it is extremely low maintenance from a teacher standpoint. I love that!  I am able to set up due dates, percentage grade required for mastery, a schedule, and password protect quizzes and tests, among a myriad of other settings that are customizable.  From the standpoint of a teacher and a homeschooling mom of high schoolers, this is a dream program.
     What exactly is included in this program? 
Key features and benefits:

• Ready to use out-of-the-box or choose to create your own lessons and assignments
• Fully interactive eText
• Robust multimedia library with videos and animations to improve understanding
• Personalized learning based on quiz and test results
• Easy-to-create online homework, quizzes, and tests that are automatically-graded
• Immediate feedback for all your child’s work

     For the student, my eleventh grader is one of those students who HATES to write out math assignments.  He did have to take a little time to learn how to negotiate the class and how to type in answers, but it didn’t take long at all.  He is not terribly fond of the teaching videos that are available, but, he is a boy and thinks they are ‘boring’ and a waste of time.  He just likes to get in and get his work done and get out. So, I customized the course so that the teaching videos are available to him, but not required. Every child is different, aren’t they?  That’s the beauty of being able to customize the course!  I, frankly, love the videos.  I think they are extremely helpful because they give step-by-step instruction for the concepts being studied. He, along with my other kids who have used Pearson curriculum, loves the help feature.  When he comes to a problem that he doesn’t understand, the help feature takes him through a similar problem, very systematically, so he can work the homework problem alongside it.  It is like having a teacher beside him while he is doing his math.  He is also able to access the completely interactive eText whenever he feels he needs a little extra help.  Another plus is the fact that homework, quizzes, and tests are graded immediately so he can see how he did. (That’s a plus for the teacher / mom, too.  No grading papers!!!)
     We are using the My Math Lab Algebra 2 to complete his Algebra 2 requirement for high school.  We are also going to be using it for our younger son this coming school year.  I am so excited about it that we are going to actually purchase and use the Algebra 1 program with our daughter next year.  This is one of the biggest bargains I have ever come across for such an innovative and thorough program.  The course is available through Pearson’s website for $49.97, and the Parent Access Kit is available for an additional $30.  There are many, many more courses available for all grades, pre-K through 12.  My fellow Schoolhouse Review Crewmates have been using and reviewing several of these.  You can read their reviews by clicking on the Schoolhouse Review Crew banner below, or by clicking here.
**I have received no compensation from Pearson or TOS in exchange for this honest review.  I received the product for free for purposes of review. The opinions expressed are my own, and my children’s.**