Anyone compare rigor of Lial & VideoText?

[workingjoe]

Can anyone compare the comprehensiveness of these two programs? I am looking for a program to start at the prealgebra level, but I want one that is rigorous. It seems to me that Chalk Dust is a more thorough program than both of these. However, if CD wasn't an option, how do these other two rate?

[Jann in TX]

I have friends who use VT.

Both are good programs. Lial's has a bit more 'rigour'. I like having a text book that has complete examples/teaching. Lial has optional video lessons--they are nothing fancy--but they are adequate as a supplement--but my dd and most of my tutoring students find the text alone is enough.

Lial is on the same level as Foerster and Larson (what Chalkdust uses). They were all designed to meet the same standards.

I don't think you can beat Lial's for value.

Lial has a Pre-Algebra text...but I prefer to use their Basic College Math text for Pre-Algebra. I have seen a better success rate with students who have a very solid foundation--and BCM takes the students through concepts from the beginning--so they see the WHOLE process--it also provides challenging problems at the same time.

[workingjoe]

Lial has a Pre-Algebra text...but I prefer to use their Basic College Math text for Pre-Algebra. I have seen a better success rate with students who have a very solid foundation--and BCM takes the students through concepts from the beginning--so they see the WHOLE process--it also provides challenging problems at the same time.[/quote]


Thanks for the info. That was exactly what I needed. But I do have another question. I had heard that BCM wasn't a complete prealgebra course. Students completing BCM might not be ready for Algebra 1. What are your feelings?

[Jenn in CA]

Where do you buy Lial textbooks? (I'm looking for pre-calc.) I need the whole deal, including whatever answer/solution manuals are available.

Thanks!

[Jann in TX]

I've taken several students from BCM into Introductory Algebra. The students were on different ability levels--special needs to honors.

My own dd was the 'special needs' student. The transition was still very smooth. I did have her start with the first chapter in the Introductory Algebra --where many other students can start with Chapter 2. She worked BCM and Introductory Algebra very independently--using only the text.

The texts have answers to the odds (more than enough practice), and all of the answers to the Chapter Reviews, Mid-Chapter Summaries, Tests and Cumulative Reviews.
The 'meat' of Introductory Algebra begins with Chapter 3--Linear Equations. The 'algebra' is VERY basic and builds from there in the context of linear concepts.

---Purchasing the texts... It is easy to find the texts for BCM, Introductory Algebra and Intermediate Algebra online from Amazon.com or Half.com Start with finding the student text--make sure there is NO writing in it. Once you have the student text it will contain the ISBN numbers for any supplements you decide you need. BCM's problems are only 1-2 steps so the solutions manual is not necessary. For Intro and Intermediate the solutions manual is optional (we did not use it for Intro but purchased it for Intermediate). While I purchased the DVTs we have NEVER used them--my online tutoring students do not use the DVTs either.

There are several Pre-Calc texts available. It may be easier to purchase a set from the publisher (Pearson). They differ in how they approach Trigonometry--This is the one I like the best. http://www.pearsonhighered.com/educator/academic/product/0,3110,0321356969,00.html

If you contact the publisher you should be able to put together your own 'package' with text, DVTs and Student solutions manuals. You may be able to find the 3rd edition used--but I'm not sure that it would save money in the end.

I have the 7th and 8th editions of Intro and Intermediate if you need any additional ISBN numbers.

HTH
Jann

[workingjoe]

Sandy

[hsmamainva]

Our community college uses Lial's College Algebra and Trigonometry as their Precalculus class textbook.

I found one used, with a free solutions manual included, for $60.00 on Amazon.com.

The Lial text is the third edition - ISBN 0-321-22763-8 and the Solutions Manual is ISBN 0-321-22770-0

My oldest will be using it for 12th grade math. (It has a nice review of basic algebra in the beginning of the book).

It looks really good!! But we haven't started it yet.