Standard Deviants?

Question

Thinking of including some of their DVDs in the mix for next year. They get a so-so rating on NetFlix.

Any thoughts as an educational supplement: Good? Bad?

Alternatives?

Answer 1

Mine couldn't stand them, he asked if they were ADD - or if they thought he was!

I know there are kids who love them, but mine was really bothered by the way they flipped around every 45 seconds or so.  It was really difficult for him to track what they were talking about since they spoke very quickly and didn't stay on one thing for longer than a minute or two throughout the DVD.  He understands things quickly if they're presented in a logical format - these just didn't do it for him.

He first saw them 3 years ago, and he still rolls his eyes when he sees them at the library.  He tends to gravitate more toward things like Ocean Odyssey and PBS-type things, though.  The rest of his video stuff we get off of Cosmeo and Annenberg.

Answer 2

Our public  library has some of these.  I think they are interesting and informative.  My son thinks they are corny.    He thinks that anything that is educational is corny.

I did have a website to some of their videos that were  free online but can't seem to find it now.

You've seen me refer to Annenberg Media before, here in answers.   I think they are great.    They are slanted in their religious views.  They are humanistic in their teaching but we turn that into great discussion topics in our home.  Check them out   at     www.learner.org

Answer 3

They are absolutely *wonderful*!!!  They move *very* quickly, which may bring some poor reviews, but my quick-understanding DS (10) gets them.  We watch them on Cosmeo (they have tons!) and have several of the DVD's which we procured for free from SwapaDVD.com.  Our library has a dismally small number of them.

I don't know of any alternative that is as great as them.  That's IMO, though, so take it or leave it :-).  After watching the HTML one once, my DS designed a wonderful web page.  We have Pre-Algebra, Algebra I & II, Astronomy, Biology, & Physics in addition to HTML.

If you want to see what they're like before putting them in your queue, see if your library has them.  If you decide to get copies for yourself, SwapaDVD is a great place...but you'll have to wait in line behind me for those on my wish list :-).

HTH!

Answer 4

I checked them out. We have a couple at the library but none that cover what we've worked on this year. I like them. If you loved History Bites, or even the hilarious Red Green Show you'll enjoy them. They have a similar humor. History Bites used to send my husband and I into hysterics. My favorites were the Shakespeare and the Catherine the Great skits. You can check them out on Youtube if you missed them when they played on PBS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34XgoFMXG...