FAQ - Homeschool Video Courses

Why are these courses so cheap?

Does the low price mean these courses are lower quality? I was a homeschool mom myself (for 17 years). I love homeschoolers and the homeschool community. I understand that finances can be tight. I hope to keep all my courses reasonably priced to help homeschoolers. I taught online for several years for Landry Academy. The content of my courses here actually exceeds what I taught online for L.A., and people paid hundreds of dollars for those courses. 

May I share the course with my family and friends?

The license for each course allows your entire family to take the course (within the same home). Sharing with your friends, other relatives, homeschool group, etc. is not permitted. Please send them to this site. It's only through sales of the courses that I'll be able to continue developing additional ones.

Can I use one of your courses for my homeschool group/co-op?

If you would like to use one of the courses for multiple students in a class, please contact me with the number of students. I'll provide a discount code which may be used by each student in the class.

Do I need internet access to view the videos?

Yes. The videos are hosted on the Podia course platform, making them viewable on a variety of devices. This requires an internet connection.

What makes these courses especially suited for homeschoolers?

• No questionable or immoral language or content. I'm continually amazed, as I further my own skills, at the inappropriate language and images that come up in courses where you would never expect them to. I promise you will never encounter anything inappropriate in my courses - and I'm not hesitant to give God the credit as the ultimate Creator and the Intelligence behind anything we're able to do.
• Lessons are presented in a clear, thorough, and logical progression, from an expert in the subject matter, at a level students can understand. 
• I have years of computer programming, graphic design, web development, teaching, and writing experience - and I understand and appreciate homeschoolers

What age are the courses for?

For most of the courses, I'd suggest junior high as a beginning age. Depending upon the student, some could be ready earlier, others later. See each course for specific recommendations.

Are these live, instructor-led courses?

No. The courses are designed so students may work at their own pace. I taught live classes for Landry Academy for several years and didn't find it to be an effective strategy - maybe it's just the technical nature of the courses I taught. Depending on their age, interest, and ability, students will naturally move at a faster or slower pace. With a group of students in a live class, that inevitably means some will be bored, thinking the class is too slow, while at the opposite end, others will struggle to keep up. The Homeschool Spark video courses suit all levels and allow students to work at a pace that is comfortable for them.

Is it really possible to learn subjects like computer graphics and programming by watching videos?

Yes - and no. The videos are a guide. I'll present a lesson, and the student will take that information and practice, practice, practice! It's very much like learning a musical instrument. Just as there is no way to learn how to play an instrument by ONLY watching a video or reading a book, you will not learn computer graphics, programming, or just about anything - if that's all you do. The videos will clearly explain concepts and guide you in trying them out. Students are encouraged to recreate the examples shown in the videos, then make up variations using their own ideas.

What if my student is stuck? What type of support is available?

Each video lesson page has a comments section where students may enter a comment, question, or suggestion. That being said, the video approach allows you to pause the lesson or rewind and replay a particular section. Due to the low cost of the courses, I urge you to make every effort to understand by watching that part of the video again before contacting me. I will try to work out a support option, for an additional fee, for those who would like to have extended support and/or feedback on assignments.

My child spends too much time on the computer anyway, would this be a good choice for them?

I'm a firm believer in non-computer activities for children - and adults! I spend most of my work hours on the computer and definitely like to get away from it for entertainment or leisure time. Rather than being solely a consumer of technology - in terms of video games or other software - learning to program and create things on the computer can be a mind-stretching exercise, using different brain cells than those used merely playing games. However, if the computer is a problem, then maybe these are not the right courses - or maybe it's not the right time for them.

Does the programming course require knowledge of higher math?

No. I think that's a big misconception about programming that maybe keeps some girls out of the field. In programming, the concept of variables is used frequently. However, in general, nothing beyond the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide is required.

Do you have a course on "xyz"?

If you're interested in a course that you don't see on the site, computer or otherwise, send me an email through the Contact page. If there is enough interest in the topic, I'll consider creating a course for it.