Over the past several weeks, we have had a lot of fun reviewing two programs from Visual Learning Systems. The first program is Digital Science Online: Elementary Edition (Grades K-5) and the second is Digital Science Online: Secondary Edition (Grades 6-12).
Both editions of Digital Science Online are completely online. I received access to all levels of Digital Science Online including Administration, Teacher and Student accounts for one year. With this program I have been able to utilize both the Elementary Edition (K-5) and the Secondary Edition (6-12).
We have enjoyed using Visual Learning Systems and have watched numerous videos. From learning about Everyday Simple Machines with the younger kids to the Nature of Electricity with the older kids. With over 130 videos in the Elementary Edition and 125 videos in the Secondary Edition we have had a wide variety of subjects we have learned about.
The Elementary Edition is divided into two sections, primary(K-2) and elementary(3-5). In the primary section, the videos are arranged in four categories: physical, earth, life and integrated sciences. The elementary level categories include physical, earth and life sciences; within these categories, the videos are arranged alphabetically. A few of the titles include: Electrical Circuits, Heat and Energy, Magnets and Electromagnetism,Rocks, Stars and Galaxies, and Plant Parts just to name a few.
The Middle/High School level is divided into physical, earth, life, integrated, health and biology sciences. Titles from the this section include: atoms, climate, periodic table, cell processes and fundamentals of genetics among many, many others.
The videos are engaging and easy to understand. The quality of the video is fantastic and the narrator is easy enjoyable to listen to. The videos have loaded quickly for us which is important to me because I don’t want to waste time waiting for a video to load. Most of the videos in the Elementary Section are about 10-15 minutes in length while the videos in the Secondary are typically a little longer (20-30 minutes.)
In the teachers guide section, there is a suggested paragraph to use to introduce each video, student worksheets, learning objectives and the video script. The student worksheets include a preliminary worksheet, video review, post assessment and a vocabulary review; as well as, other worksheets that help reinforce what the video taught.
The kids have liked the videos; however, I do wish there were more science experiments encouraged in the course. I added some experiments in after we watched videos to help tie it all together for the kids. For example; after they watched the video about simple machines I set up a pulley system in the house for them to be able to experiment with.
Visual Learning Systems does have an option to purchases Digital Online Science as a homeschool family for a reduced rate as compared to traditional schools. The Elementary and Secondary levels are purchased separately.
We will continue to utilize Digital Online Science as the kids really do enjoy it. I think it is a great supplemental science program for the upper grades and could probably be used as a stand alone course for the younger kids.
Blessings,
Jennifer
