Videotext vs. Chalkdust-what's the difference?

[Karie]

Anyone have experience with both of these? Could you compare/contrast them. I'm trying to decide between these two.

Thanks!

[LisaNY]

I used VT for a brief time. Since I have not used both, I can only offer what I know about VT, and compare from there.

CD is taught by a real math teacher, at a chalk board. VT is "taught" by actors, who speak about the concepts, which are then worked out on the screen, graphically.

CD uses a textbook, VT does not. Everything in VT is taught via the DVD. The salient points of each lesson are provided in the class notes booklet.
(This is the main reason why I switched to Foerster's/Math Without Borders. I have the benefit of a text and a teacher.)

VT's Algebra program claims to teach through Algebra II, CD has separate programs for Algebra I & II.

These are some of the main differences between the two programs.

[susie in tx]

(This is the main reason why I switched to Foerster's/Math Without Borders. I have the benefit of a text and a teacher.).

How are you liking the Foerster's/Math Without Borders combo? I probably should post this in a new thread, but your comment caught my eye. We're considering doing this with my 13 yo starting in Jan.

[LisaNY]

How are you liking the Foerster's/Math Without Borders combo? I probably should post this in a new thread, but your comment caught my eye. We're considering doing this with my 13 yo starting in Jan.

Hi Susie,

So far, I am very happy with it. We just finished chapter 3. I like how Mr. Chandler explains the concepts and adds his own teaching points. He moves at a slow, methodical pace, which is very helpful to us. It really adds to the text when you have an actual teacher presenting the lesson.

I am going to post an update as soon as we get through chapter 5, which deals with quadratic equations. If we do as well with that chapter as we did with the first three, then the program is a winner for us. :001_smile:

[Heather in VA]

We are loving VideoText. It is working very well for my daughter and the lessons are just the right length. They explain the concepts very well so that she understands, doesn't just follow directions. She has had no problem when I've asked her to do problems in the Forester's Algebra book (I think occasionally seeing problems from other books is good) and she finds them very easy after learning from VT.

Heather

[Grace]

I do not have an author to give credit to for each post....sorry....but hope this helps some.


I can't give info on Chalkdust, by my ds completed Videotext Algebra and is almost half through Videotext Geometry. My dd is using Videotext Algebra now, too. It has worked well for us. The solutions manual is very helpful, and I like the clear video explanations and the frequent quizzing. I also like that they provide a form A and B for all quizzes and tests. Many people say that there isn't enough review with Videotext, but we have found the unit reviews and cumulative reviews to be enough. I have my children work through Form A of those review tests for practice (and review!) and then they take Form B for the actual test.

Math is not my strength, but I've learned a lot by going through Algebra with my children. I really appreciate the way they teach word problems. My husband is managing ds's geometry course, and he is a fan of Videotext as well.
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~Anne


DS12 just started CD Pre Alg and is loving Dr. Mosely. He is wonderful. I'm not mathy -- dh is -- so the dvd's are great for my son to watch, and re-watch if need be. The text is straightforward. Explanations are thorough. My son likes it much better than TT 7 which he just buzzed through in 4 months.

We like the complete solutions manual. Most of all, Dr. Mosely presents the concepts in a way that is working well for us. We plan to continue on this road w/ CD based on our experience thus far.

We bought the traditional set, 3rd edition.

Sorry, no experience w/ Video Text.
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Blessings from the beautiful Pacific Northwest!
Beth




I have viewed lessons from both VideoText and Chalkdust. I like Dana Mosely's teaching style and content. The one drawback was the length of the lessons. I love math and would stay focused and engaged. Unfortunately my daughter would not. I don't "connect" as well with the instructors on VideoText but the lessons seem shorter. My math-loving husband and 2 college students (Electrical Engineering and Math majors) who viewed multiple VideoText lessons told me they liked what they saw and thought that the concepts were presented very well. We will be going with VideoText because I think it will be the best choice for my daughter's learning style.

HTH!

Cyrena





I only have experience with VideoText. I checked out ChalkDust at convention, but only kind of.

VT - I like that the lessons are pretty short. They only add one new concept per lesson, and they show all the steps as they go through it. I have not had issues with the number of problems at all - it has been more than adequate for our needs. I love that the solutions manual works out everything, step by step. I correct the work, but I make my son work through - sometimes with the solutions manual - to figure out what he did wrong. I love that there is an A and B form for all the quizzes and tests. I love that my son can do this pretty independently. I love that I don't have to purchase anything else for the next four...

What I don't like - well, the 'teacher' often seems more like an actor reading lines. It isn't always the case, but there are moments I watch and think - you don't have the first clue as to what the things you are saying mean...

Another thing I really like is that it seems to work for a variety of types of students. It is to the point enough for my math-gifted son to stick with the lesson and not roll his eyes thinking he knows this stuff already. But my next son (who hasn't started it yet) will get enough information, as they keep walking through the steps over and over as they introduce the next thing.

Like I said, though, I haven't really seen Chalkdust, so I can't compare.

Debra




VideoText
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They also have extra problems and solutions on-line for each lesson, so if a kid needs more practice the material is available. VideoText also does NOT let the kid use a calculator, use they really learn the how and why of what they are doing.

[Karie]

Thanks, this was helpful.

karie

[Beth in SW WA]

DS12 just started CD Pre Alg and is loving Dr. Mosely. He is wonderful. I'm not mathy -- dh is -- so the dvd's are great for my son to watch, and re-watch if need be. The text is straightforward. Explanations are thorough. My son likes it much better than TT 7 which he just buzzed through in 4 months.

We like the complete solutions manual. Most of all, Dr. Mosely presents the concepts in a way that is working well for us. We plan to continue on this road w/ CD based on our experience thus far.

We bought the traditional set, 3rd edition.

Sorry, no experience w/ Video Text.
__________________
Blessings from the beautiful Pacific Northwest!
Beth

Hey, that's me! :)

We are now in CD Alg 1 and love it! Prof. Mosely rocks the house! I highly recommend coughing up the $$ for this outstanding program.