Is switched-on school house any good?

Question

I'm trying to decide which curriculum to use next year. I'm going into 10th grade. Has anyone used it? Do you like it? Or not? Thanks!

Answer 1

yes,its a great program,i've used it for almost 5 years now

Answer 2

I had one SOS course in 10th grade, and I thought it was fine. I just had it for History or something. If it was math I'm not sure how well I would have done. I wouldn't say I liked it, as it was pretty boring to me at the time, but I really have nothing bad to say about it. I learned what I needed to. (I'm not a big history buff.)

Answer 3

It is not the best curriculum around, but its not the worst either.

With Math it addresses a topic for a few weeks and moves on, little to no review once a topic is covered, so if you use it I suggest that you get a supplemental practice book from somewhere.

The History is a little boring.  Also it tends to ask some questions on the tests that don't seem to be about important stuff.  This means that when you read, you might not choose to really retain some little detail, but then on your test you find that several questions focused on it.  For example, in Washington State History, it asked which of four different colors of paint was not used on the Space Needle.  I don't see why that was important enough to be on the test, it really had no bearing on the real History of Washington State.

The Science is okay.  I highly recommend that you actually DO the experiments though, not just watch the video clips of them.

Language arts is just okay.  I prefer more depth for my children, and more engaging literature selections.

Answer 4

I used it during this past year (grade 10) and I was not pleased with the science, but I was very pleased with the Ohio History.

With science, it didn't explain everything well enough for me, but that could just be because it's a sore subject for me.

But I was pleased with the Ohio History because it gave little known facts and asked questions that were relevant to what I learned.  Unlike the Science that had me thinking outside-the-box a little bit too much.

If you like to read, answer questions, get a grade, and be done, this would be the curriculum for you.

Answer 5

My cousin used Switched-On Schoolhouse and it was a good fit.  However, there are many pros and cons to using a computer based progam.  It really needs to fit your learning style.

Here's some info on the pros and cons of computer based programs, as well as other providers you may want to look at:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

Hope this helps!

Answer 6

no

Answer 7

It depends on what course you are using it for and what your learning style is.  My daughter has used it for third and fourth grade.  If you need a lot of repetition for math, then I suggest you use a different program.  The bible study is great, and very detailed.  It is a little difficult.  Science is good, and has a lot of experiments for you to do on your own.  It also gives web sites with additional information to help you.  Language arts is also good if you do not require a lot of repetition, but I suggest adding additional reading.  I did not care for the history.  I found it to be too general.  Again, this was for the third and fourth grade.

All of the courses have a lot of vocabulary.  I liked that.  It is also designed to keep you on time.  There are videos to watch that have been helpful.

I have found some glitches in the grading system.  In math it will occasionally grade answers wrong.  Also, they word questions incorrectly.  All of these problems can be solved by the parent.  They just go into the teachers section and fix any grading problems.

I hope this helps, and good luck on your journey.

Answer 8

My son is doing the Secondary Spanish right now, we're happy with that; however, I've heard VERY mixed reviews for the math and science, and not too many great reviews about the history or language arts.

If you learn really easily by computer alone, it's a good curriculum.  Most people need something more (I do supplement my son's Spanish with outside activities and exercises) and find that while it's in-depth, it doesn't really bring the retention that they'd hope for.

If you use it, unless you're really a computer learner, I'd suggest supplementing with outside material.

JMHO!

Answer 9

We've tried it and if you really like text/ workbook type learning you'll do fine with it. For a hands on or auditory learner it is boring to the extreme. And yes, as someone else mentioned, sometimes even if you get an answer right, the computer marks it wrong. You have to write the answer EXACTLY as the computer is looking for it. You might find that a minor irritation or a huge frustration.