I recently mentioned learner.org amongst my best free homeschool programs online for 2009. I have been using learner.org extensively since then, and realized that new users to the site might need a bit of a tutorial.
Learner.org, also called Annenberg Media is a collection of curriculum videos organized into full courses. The Annenberg Foundation is a family foundation dedicated to funding programs that improve education, youth development, arts, and other community bases initiatives.
To use learner.org as a homeschool curriculum, you would first log in to learner.com. The first thing you will see is a menu full of tabs. The menu is intuitively organized by grade level and subject level. It is relatively easy to navigate to the exact subject and level you need. For example, if you are looking for Algebra, you would go down to the mathematics tab which will open the menu of lessons and scroll right until you find Insights Into Algebra I.
This will open up a page with the full course description, beneath which will be educational videos in order of use. While the videos themselves give you a good understanding of the subject, it is helpful to have books to accompany the videos. You can find these books at the top right section of the page. Just click on “Buy videos and materials”. This will reveal how you can purchase the entire video series on DVD, the video and guide, or just the guide book to accompany the program. You can purchase this guide for less than $40.00 through learner.org.
For some of the courses, such as Spanish and English, a book title will be revealed. You can then search for the book at Amazon.com or Ebay for a second hand copy if you don’t want to pay full price.
I am personally using the Spanish Curriculum called Destinos to teach my kids this year, and was able to order the textbooks at Amazon for less than $1.00 plus shipping per book.
Using Learner.org for your homeschool curriculum can take a little work as the you and the child will have to follow and guide book and/or keep track of where he or she left off in the videos. You will also need to review and decide which videos to use to teach your children. (But remember it is mostly free.) You can also use just the videos for instruction and find free worksheets and coordinating lessons online. If you as the parent need to brush up on a subject, you can also view one of the many teacher tutorials available on the website.
You may also want to read My Christmas Gift for Homeschoolers: Free Homeschooling Resources
A Homeschooler and Their Money will Not Be Parted?
If you liked this you should also read my blogs at the home blog, the parents blog, and the frugal blog. You can read my recent posts here.