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Video Text Algebra vs. MathUSee algebra – opinions?
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Hi – we’re coming to the end of RightStart math with my oldest, and I am trying to decide what to do next. I see that SCM recommends MathUSee, but RightStart recommends VideoText. I’m wondering if anyone has any opinions or advice regarding these two programs for pre-algebra, algebra, and on up?
Thank you!
Many on my college forums believe VideoText to be rather on the light side. I’ve heard a few accusations of the same for MUS, but not as many. And we used MUS through pre-calculus with great results.
We are using VideoText right now and I really like it. It doesn’t teach shortcuts, but instead teaches “why” you do something. If you figure out a shortcut, that’s great. At least you know why you are doing it. I love math and I get math, but even I have had a few “a-ha” moments. For example, when you reduce a fraction, you factor and then cross off the same numbers on the top and bottom. Now I know WHY you do that.
I recommend you watch this video if you are really interested. It is the author fully describing the program.
I guess I’ll be partial here as we’ve only used VideoText Algebra and are now using their Geometry. I looked around at different curriculum and chose VideoText because I liked how they taught the why. It’s very step by step. Each lesson builds on previous lessons. VideoText also likes to throw in some challenging problems that really makes the child have to think and use what they know to solve it. They didn’t teach how to solve it but know that if the child will apply what they do know they have the ability to solve it.
It covers both Algebra 1 and 2 all together….meaning that if you’ve done Algebra 1 and want to do VideoText you would still need to start at the beginning and work through it as both 1 and 2 are mixed together. They teach a concept you’d learn in Algebra 1 and then expand on it with what would be learned in Algebra 2.
It’s one of those programs that if you start you should commit to finish as it would be hard to stop in some module and then go into another curriculum because of how the lessons are interwoven with 1 and 2. So, that may be something you need to consider when choosing.
I can’t address the course being on the light side….seems like that is a common complaint about a lot of the Algebra curriculums out there. I do know it’s a solid curriculum. My daughter took her PSAT and scored very well in the math portion.
I think a mistake some might make is trying to zoom through it without “mastering” the lesson. You are not supposed to go to the next lesson if you score less than a 90 on the quizzes. VideoText does offer extra practice worksheets on their website if your child needs more.
We came out of RS and went directly into VideoText. It may come down to having your child watch the demo’s and seeing which teaching style they prefer as both are pretty solid curriculums.
Thanks so much for the opinions!
Bookworm, based on what feedback you’ve seen on your college forums, do you have any better or more thorough recommendations for algebra and high school math?
Kurtjenvb, many of the very, very math-y people on my hs2col forum use a college level official “text” and teach it themselves. Then there is a cohort of Saxon true believers. But I prayed about it, felt led to stick with MUS, and have had kids get nearly perfect test scores and go straight into upper level calculus courses at college with no problem. So I really recommend MUS still. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. LOL
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