TIME 4 LEARNING::A REVIEW
Back on February 10th I posted this:
I've been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. Time4Learning is an online educational program that can be used in many ways including as a homeschooling curriculum or after school tutorial. Find out how to write your own curriculum review for Time4Learning.
A pretty generous offer! I signed all three of my boys up forgetting that we are living on the edge as it is, and that adding one more thing (little as it is) in to our schedule takes some effort. Given that lack of time, most of my efforts went in to trying this program with my 7 year old.
I have stated a few times (in weekly wrap-ups) that I like TIME 4 LEARNING for my "schoolish son". This 7 year old really likes his books- once he complained to his auntie that I did not even buy him a math book! This program fits nicely with his personality. It has a that "real school" feel while having an enjoyable presentation.
On the flip side, I could see a "resistant to school" child taking to this program as well. A child who is bored with books would find the more interactive approach of this program appealing.
You can get a solid grasp on this program just by visiting the website and viewing the demo videos there.
Things I like:
1. James really can do the lessons by himself. Almost everything is presented with audio.
2. James enjoys the lessons.
3. The lessons are presented from different perspectives. The student is not just given the information. He is taught, the concept is presented in different ways, and questions are asked- also in various ways.
4. It is interactive. Rather than leaving a child with a book for independent learning (not that a book is bad!), this engages the child. Throughout the lesson the child is called on to drag a number, choose an answer, or click "yes" or "no". At one point, yesterday, James actually answered the computer out loud when he was corrected on an answer!
5. For those who need it, the program offers nice documentation. There are lesson plans, progress reports, and quiz grades that can be used for paperwork. Our state does not require much paperwork, but, if it did, I would be thankful for that benefit.
6. Library book recommendations are given at the end of some lessons, and there is a simple worksheet to reinforce the concept(s) that is being worked on for each lesson.
Things that concern me:
1. On at least one lesson that James completed, the quiz at the end was not given with audio. I think the program is doing a disservice by not having everything at the lower grade levels have an audio.
2. The few times that we have tried the older grades, we have not enjoyed the program quite as much as the lower level. My oldest son has some learning difficulties, so the fact that it does not have audio makes it less appealing. The audio that is available for the upper level courses is "text to speech" which is very difficult for children who already have processing problems to understand. I would venture to say that even for "normal" learners, the upper level program would benefit from audio. It is what makes "computer learning" significantly different than "book learning".
***I think that it important to note that while my criticism is largely based on the needs of students who have learning challenges, this company does not claim to meet those needs (that I know of). This is just something that I have my eye out for.
We have been using this program as we have found time to these last few weeks. Next week I am going to assign James lessons each day and see how it goes. I am inclined to think that we will subscribe to Time 4 Learning until the end of the school year for him if it goes well (and I think it will).
I've been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. Time4Learning is an online educational program that can be used in many ways including as a homeschooling curriculum or after school tutorial. Find out how to write your own curriculum review for Time4Learning.
A pretty generous offer! I signed all three of my boys up forgetting that we are living on the edge as it is, and that adding one more thing (little as it is) in to our schedule takes some effort. Given that lack of time, most of my efforts went in to trying this program with my 7 year old.
I have stated a few times (in weekly wrap-ups) that I like TIME 4 LEARNING for my "schoolish son". This 7 year old really likes his books- once he complained to his auntie that I did not even buy him a math book! This program fits nicely with his personality. It has a that "real school" feel while having an enjoyable presentation.
On the flip side, I could see a "resistant to school" child taking to this program as well. A child who is bored with books would find the more interactive approach of this program appealing.
You can get a solid grasp on this program just by visiting the website and viewing the demo videos there.
Things I like:
1. James really can do the lessons by himself. Almost everything is presented with audio.
2. James enjoys the lessons.
3. The lessons are presented from different perspectives. The student is not just given the information. He is taught, the concept is presented in different ways, and questions are asked- also in various ways.
4. It is interactive. Rather than leaving a child with a book for independent learning (not that a book is bad!), this engages the child. Throughout the lesson the child is called on to drag a number, choose an answer, or click "yes" or "no". At one point, yesterday, James actually answered the computer out loud when he was corrected on an answer!
5. For those who need it, the program offers nice documentation. There are lesson plans, progress reports, and quiz grades that can be used for paperwork. Our state does not require much paperwork, but, if it did, I would be thankful for that benefit.
6. Library book recommendations are given at the end of some lessons, and there is a simple worksheet to reinforce the concept(s) that is being worked on for each lesson.
Things that concern me:
1. On at least one lesson that James completed, the quiz at the end was not given with audio. I think the program is doing a disservice by not having everything at the lower grade levels have an audio.
2. The few times that we have tried the older grades, we have not enjoyed the program quite as much as the lower level. My oldest son has some learning difficulties, so the fact that it does not have audio makes it less appealing. The audio that is available for the upper level courses is "text to speech" which is very difficult for children who already have processing problems to understand. I would venture to say that even for "normal" learners, the upper level program would benefit from audio. It is what makes "computer learning" significantly different than "book learning".
***I think that it important to note that while my criticism is largely based on the needs of students who have learning challenges, this company does not claim to meet those needs (that I know of). This is just something that I have my eye out for.
We have been using this program as we have found time to these last few weeks. Next week I am going to assign James lessons each day and see how it goes. I am inclined to think that we will subscribe to Time 4 Learning until the end of the school year for him if it goes well (and I think it will).
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