Math Tutor DVDs~ Pre Algebra(Vol1) and Texas Instruments TI-84/TI84 Calulator

For the 3rd year in a row TOS Crew members have received DVD's from Jason Gibson's Math Tutor DVD line. I was blessed to receive product all three years. You can read my reviews from year 1 (It's not Rocket Science, People!  which covered the "Basic Word Problems" and "Algebra 2" DVD's), and year 2 (Young Minds ~ Numbers and Counting which is a gorgeous Toddler/Preschooler DVD).

This year I once again received 2 DVD's
"The Pre-Algebra Tutor"~($26.99) A 2 DVD set with 5 hours of video instruction which covers 9 topics:

• Real Numbers
• The Number Line
• Greater Than, Less Than, Equal To
• Absolute Value and Adding Integers
• Multiplying Integers
• Dividing Integers
• Powers and Exponents
• Order of Operations 

"The Texas Instruments TI-83/TI-84 Calculator" ($26.99)~ a 3 DVD set with 8 hours of video instruction. This one covers 37 topics...YIKES!  I didn't know there was that much to know about a calculator! (Can you tell that I didn't encounter "higher math" that required a scientific calculator??) Because there are so many topics, I'm not going to list them all here. You  can visit the TI 83/84 link above to see everything that is encompassed in this course, as well as a sample video of the first lesson.


As I have come to expect from Jason Gibson, each topic is treated thoroughly and with much repetition. If you have a student that is struggling in any area of math, I still maintain the opinion that  these videos would be very helpful, even without the sizzle-bang, pop-whiz excitement of some other programs.  My daughter is beyond the pre-algebra stage at this point, but based on her style of learning, these videos could be helpful in small doses. The great thing about a Math Tutor DVD, is that once the student figures the concept out, you can fast forward to the next, and skip all the repetition, but if your student requires repetition, it is calmly and quietly included.

I presume that once we get to the point where we need to use a graphing calculator, the TI-83/TI84 DVD may be very useful in getting us up to speed, one chunk at a time, as needed.

One nifty aspect of the TI-83/TI84 video meant I could review it without actually owning a TI-83/TI-84. Jason uses an interactive calculator graphic to go through the various functions of the calculator. This makes it easy to see exactly how to work the keyboard and the functions (and simultaneously eliminates the need to try to read one of those tiny print manuals, which is what I imagine comes with the calculator). It's also handy if you have a child that wants to be able to USE electronics right out of the package... eliminates or reduces that learning curve, if they go through it in advance.However, if you or your child is a "Give me the manual, I want to read it cover-to-cover, and then get right to work" sort, this may not be as helpful for you.

I'd like to mention one other service offered by Math Tutor DVD, and that is a "Member Subscription" to the Math Tutor DVD Site. If you foresee the need to purchase a number of the Math Tutor DVD's, this could be a good option for you. A Membership to Math Tutor DVD Member's Area gets you instant access to:

• View all Math Video Courses Online 24/7!
• Over 170 Hours of Video!
• Basic Math thru Calculus and Physics!
• View unreleased lessons not yet on DVD!
• New material released weekly!
• Members save 25% on all DVD courses!
• Download worksheets!
• Extra worked problems and solutions!
• Members Only Discussion Forums!
• Articles, tips and techniques by Jason Gibson!
• And much more!   

The cost for a membership is $19.95/ month, $99/6 months (Recurring billing) or $189 for 1 single year of access. This is an interesting option if your student "clicks" with Jason Gibson's teaching style. :)

I hope that this review was useful to you as you navigate the sometimes tricky waters  homeschooling  math education. For 99 more opinions on these DVDs, please visit the TOS Crew Blog, and see what  other Crew members had to say.

Blessings~

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this/these item(s)/service for free as part of the TOS Crew Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."