Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in
exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I
compensated in any other way.

 

 

Algebra 2 Online

Homeschool Review Crew

Thinkwell Homeschool 

 

Recently my 15-year-old daughter has been using a new program for her math.  She’s been using Thinkwell’s Instructor-Led Algebra 2 course.  This is a course for Algebra 2 online.  It’s all completely online and with added features that we don’t usually see with online math courses.  Thinkwell Homeschool has several different online courses but the three offered to Crew members for review are Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry. 

What makes this program unique to other online courses that we have done in the past is the use of office hours.  The instructor has office hours twice a week where the students can connect with her via zoom and ask questions.  I personally have never had a course do this before and I think it is wonderful.  My daughter using the program hasn’t had to ask me any questions. 

About the Program

The Thinkwell courses give you access to an entire grade for 12 months.  If you need longer then you have the option of purchasing extensions on those grades.  Extensions can be purchased in one month, three months, or six-month sections. 

All of the online programs on the Thinkwell Homeschool site are geared for grades six and up.  They have math grades six all the way up to college.  But that’s not all.  They also have several other courses such as electives and honors courses. 

Placement tests are available to help you make sure that your child gets placed in the correct level. 

How the Program Works

All lessons are contained within the program in video format.  A short 5-10 minute video is watched.  Then questions are answers.  There are interactive questions and papers that can be printed off to be done as well.  Extra questions are also available if the information is not understood. 

Quizzes and tests are also in the course already and just need to be taken.  They are automatically graded.  There is a course syllabus set up so that you just need to go down the list and each box will become checked off when it is completed. 

Twice a week zoom calls are done.  These are the office hours of the teacher where students can pop in and zoom questions.  This allows the teacher and student to see each other and actually talk to each other versus it all being over email. It appeals to more of the learning styles I think. 

The whole thing is set out and scheduled for you.  You can follow their schedule or make your own.  We have been using their set out schedule and just going down the lessons.  I do think my daughter is a week behind due to some life issues that came at us but she has told me she’s working to catch up.  She also told me her teacher said she didn’t have to hurry and to make sure she understands all the material. 

 

 

Our Thoughts

My daughter did Algebra 1 last year.  Math is not her strong suit and so I thought that Algebra 2 online would be a good fit for her in this course due to the teacher involvement.  I am amazing at math. But I am not so amazing at teaching upper-grade maths.  

My daughter is really enjoying this course.  I never thought I’d say that about her and a math course!  She is 15 and a sophomore this year.  I will make plans and tell the kids that we’re going to go do something on a Tuesday afternoon she will be quick to remind me that she will need to stay home because she has to chat with her instructor.  

I will say the hardest part of the course has definitely been getting those zoom calls set up.  We quickly discovered that our laptop just cannot seem to connect and we have to use the desktop computer that is right next to our wireless router.  Otherwise, we just get the notice that our internet isn’t working.  And of course, it took us a bit that first time to get the volume and microphone and camera all to work correctly but now she can set it all up on her own and that is wonderful. 

 

 

So how did my daughter use it?

She is like me and prefers printed papers.  So she would print off all the pages for each week and put them in a binder. 

 

 

This is where she does most of her work.  The interactive things get done online though.  So she does the quizzes and the interactive practices online while printing out the weekly information here so she can take notes. 

 

 

Learn More

Ready to learn more about this Algebra 2 Online course?  You can read other reviews that are linked up on the main Crew Review Blog Post.  Members of the Crew were reviewing three products so look for the keyword Algebra 2 to read the reviews about algebra 2.  Thinkwell Homeschool can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.