Anyone use the Abeka DVD program?....

[Angela in GA]

I'm considering it for my 8th grader next year. She doesn't like me to teach her, but I'm thinking she'll like the DVDs. I don't know much about the program, so I would appreciate your input. :-)

[Evergreen State Sue]

I bought the Abeka DVD program for my 7th grade ds for this last school year. It was our first personal experience with Abeka, although my nephew had used the DVD program for 8th grade and we had his used books. My hope was that if it worked for my ds for 7th grade, we could then used my nephews books for 8th grade. Unfortunately, I'm finding it is not working for my ds.

I thought the math teacher, Mrs. Howe, gave clear presentations. You could visually see how to work a problem. She gave good examples. I believe she is the same math teacher for 8th grade.

The main thing I don't like about it is it is too time consuming - Each class is about 50 minutes long plus homework. With 5 classes (Bible, History, Science, Math, English), that's about 5 hours of watching the video plus another 2-1/2 hours of homework if you spend 30 minutes of homework on each subject.

I've had a hard time keeping our ds on task, not letting too much time pass before doing the next video.


My son has some learning challenges so it was taking him longer to do the homework. I started dropping classes because he couldn't keep up. I realized this too late, and now I'm trying to figure out how to salvage 7th grade.

They have a lot of quizzes and tests for each class. This was good experience for our ds, but you as the parent have to keep up with what they are doing to give them the test at the right time.

The dvd's are set up so the student at home is part of the class. I found the homework presentation part too time consuming and there was little value when other students make mistakes or say the wrong answer. Class games are not helpful to home students when the classroom students give the answer faster.

Let me know if you have other questions. I know another family who has done terrific with Abeka, and their graduating dd will even attend their university. It just hasn't worked for my ds.

[Cadam]

There are a lot of programs that would take you out of the role of teacher. I have never used them but I know doing a full Abeka dvd school would be very time consuming. Like a real school day with homework.

[Melissa in CA]

I have used A Beka Video school and I agree with Sue in that it is time consuming. The class videos are far too long and I did not like at all how they were presented. My boys felt the math classes were extremely long and drawn out. There was no reason for them to watch children working out math problems on the chalk board. :confused: It was just very dull and a complete waste of time.

I would suggest you look into Bob Jones DVDs instead. They are MUCH better!! The longest class in Jr. High is 30 minutes and nothing said or presented is a waste of time. The price is comparable to A Beka....it might actually be a bit cheaper...and as of now they offer DVDs or a Harddrive version. Go to http://www.bjupress.com/distance_learning/ to find out more info on their distance learning classes.

[Angela in GA]

Thanks for the feedback! Honestly, I would rather do the BJU DVDs. BUT....they don't offer a payment plan. Abeka does. Decisions, decisions.

[Melissa in CA]

Honestly, I would rather do the BJU DVDs. BUT....they don't offer a payment plan.

They don't?? Wow, I had never even considered that exclusion. Have you phoned them to inquire about it? I think I would...you never know. ;)

Well, even though I don't personally like the A Beka DVDs, I know there are many who do. Perhaps your dd will be one of them? Some children thrive on A Beka. :)