Do you do this? Does anyone you know do this? A Beka has a video/dvd series for every grade. They send the first set out, you complete them, send them back, then they send the next set, etc. It's very reasonably priced compared to private school and you can't beat A Beka textbooks. But the whole video aspect makes me wonder. How lazy is it to stick your child in front of a 'virtual teacher' for four hours?? It's supposed to only require minimal supervision from a parent but isn't homeschooling all about a parent being INVOLVED? I realize a parent can be as involved as they want, of course, sitting right down and watching the video with the child, but ultimately it's the virtual A Beka Academy teacher doing the teaching, not the parent. Any comments? Opinions? I suppose if you're in a remote area or near really bad schools, it's a great option if you don't feel you have the ability to traditionally homeschool.

TIA!

By Mommyathome on Monday, February 9, 2004 - 03:06 pm:

I haven't ever heard of the videos. But, I think that the parent could probably use them to teach themselves how to teach their kids. Does that sense? If the parents were really dedicated to homeschooling they could probably be a helpful aid. I don't know that I would want to just sit the kid down in front of it for 4 hours a day.
Like you said, if there aren't many other options then it would probably work out just fine.

By Marcia on Monday, February 9, 2004 - 11:01 pm:

I can see how it might be helpful as a supplement. One of my kids would definitely pick lots up from watching something on tv. I would never let it be the only way she was taught, though.