DIVE Video Lectures for Saxon Algebra 1 3rd Edition

We have always used Saxon math for the elementary grades and found them to be a great method of learning. In regular math books, you learn one action, then you move on to another chapter, and another action. By several chapters in, it's easy to forget the skills learned in the early chapters. But with Saxon Math/Algebra--you learn that days new action, and the 30 problems of daily-work are a mix of all the previous chapters problems and your new actions. So you perpetually work on all the problems you learned in previous chapters, and get better and better at them. Full disclosure--it had been some time since I had an Algebra class. So for the first part of the Saxon Algebra book, I was fine in teaching it. We struggled a wee bit, then I purchased this Disc. It's fantastic! The video clips are simple: some 5-minutes some -12 mins in length, but he addresses each chapter of the book, and clearly shows you how to work the equations. I wish I had purchased this at the beginning of the year, and I know when we move on to Algebra 2--I will look for a D.I.V.E. CD-ROM to accompany it. Saxon Math/Algebra always puts the chapter number next to the equations. Example: "8(35)" So you can see that question 8 was work we did in chapter 35. So if you can't remember how to do that type of equation--you at least know where to go back in the book and look for the information. And, in the case of the CD-ROM, what chapter to go back to and watch. This CD-ROM is great accompaniment to the Saxon Algebra textbook. Read more

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Good product.. Helped to explained in terms my child could understand... I would recommend this to my friends. Good price. Read more

Dr. Shorman makes Algebra learn-able. I highly recommend this product for any homeschool family, or for anyone who has a child using Saxon Math. With one of our children they were using the Saxon Math in her class at school and having a horrible time getting the way the teacher was teaching it. The DIVE program not only helped her, but she would go to school and help classmates based on what she learned! Read more

Dive into Algebra 1 closely follows Saxon's Algebra 1 THIRD Edition. This CD should NOT be used as a stand-alone product. It should ONLY be used WITH Saxon's Algebra 1 or the students will lack the practice drills and the tests that come with the printed kit and are not likely to improve significantly. Having taught my kids Saxon's Math since Math 3/2, I decided to order our Algebra 1 with the CD with the hope of saving some time - I tend to go 'long' when I teach. I wasn't disappointed. Allowing Prof. David E. Shormann to do the teaching does save time and his insistence that the students copy everything that he writes on the blackboard - blueboard, really - keeps them focused on the lesson. The teaching of the lesson taking only 20 minutes makes the kids happy and leaves them with more energy left to tackle the practice questions and the 30-questions problem set (known as 'mixed practice' in the pre-algebra Saxon math books) that comes with each of the lessons. Contrary to the claim made on the CD's cover, these lessons are NOT interactive. They can't be because they are recorded on a CD and the teacher can't take questions and answer them and the students don't interact with the computer either, they only listen to the lesson, take notes and do some practice exercises on paper. I was also surprised to see this product being marketed as Algebra taught from a 'Christian' point of view. There is very little that's specifically Christian about Shormann's teaching other than him stating in the introduction that he is a Christian. He is only following the Saxon math book, paragraph by paragraph and he is doing a good job expressing it in a way that is more dynamic that simply reading the text. In addition to the lessons, Shormann includes a suggested syllabus which may be helpful to some. The following are, in my view, the good things about this product: - Very helpful for students not yet comfortable with individual study. - The requirement that students take notes by copying what they see on the board is a good step toward them learning to take notes independently. - Saves time and adds teaching expertise in a home schooling environment. I've been teaching my kids math for 6 years already and I still welcome this product. - Allows me the opportunity to stop and expand and/or rewind when necessary. - Full contents can be easily copied to run off the hard disk but the disk comes with no specific instructions on how to do it. Now, for the not so good, I I may repeat what I already stated in the paragraphs above: - The Macromedia Flash Player platform does not take over the full screen. On my 1680x1050 display, less than 1/4th is occupied by the presentation and there is no way to expand it. - The technology used to develop the material is rather crude. All students get is the teacher's voice and the notes he makes on the board by hand. I list this as a 'not so good' but I don't see it as as big negative. Simplicity is sometimes preferable to a more elaborate and distracting sensory overload method but there may be some area where better graphics may help. - The teacher is sometimes inconsistent in his presentation with the words he's using. For example, he reminds the students that, when 'saying' a number you only use 'and' when you see the 'comma' separating the integer part from the decimals but then he keeps saying 'two hundred AND two' instead of 'two hundred two'. I understand that it takes a big effort to cover 123 lessons but maybe a 'take two' on some of the lessons would improve quality and consistency. - No true interactivity. I am not so sure if a more interactive approach would help the students learn more but, at least the interactivity claim should not be used as a marketing tool. - While it does encourage the students to take notes, the audio-visual presentation will make them less likely to actually use the printed book. - As I mentioned already, those who expect this to be math taught from a Christian perspective may be disappointed. This is not Christian math and I don't see it as a bad thing. Math is non-denominational as far as I can tell and the claim should not be made. To conclude, I found this CD to be a welcome addition to the printed material. It makes my job easier and it makes the kids happier. I would NOT use this CD alone - without the book and the tests. The printed book has lesson practice exercises and a 30-question problem set attach to each lesson. The problem sets are essential to Saxon's incremental method and without them the students aren't likely to learn much. In addition, the printed kit includes the tests and an answers book. They are all needed. I will grant this product 4 stars, mostly because of the few misleading marketing claims. This CD can stand on its own merits. It does not need hype because it has substance. Read more

Great addition resource for your homeschool library! If you're like me, and aren't a math whiz...but, have a child going into algebra 1 or higher...the D.I.V.E CD-Roms are the way to go. Each lesson (and problem set) is taught via the CD-ROM...the example problems are all worked out...and your child can pause the lesson or review the lesson if they have any difficulty. Read more

These CDs are great for independent learners; actually helps my son be a more independent learner. My son is an auditory learner so these greatly enhance his learning experience. The instructors are awesome, clear, and concise. I recommend these CDs to anyone who wants to take charge of their own learning or parents who need help explaining higher math principles. Read more

The cd's are in a monotone, boring voice and bother my children and he goes very slowly.... They feel they aren't helpful and prefer learning on their own or another teacher we have found. Tried taking one of the author's classes and that was a disaster. Disorganized office didn't get assignment due first day to us, internet server failed 3 of first 4 classes and he won't refund tuition. Didn't respond to BBB complaint either. Ends hour long class after 35-40 minutes. There are other online classes that work well. Read more