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Switched-On Schoolhouse

Publisher: Alpha Omega
Review last updated: April 2011
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Switched-On Schoolhouse

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Alpha Omega first developed their LIFEPAC curriculum, a self-instructional learning system using a number of worktext booklets for each subject. Alpha Omega responded to the proliferation of computers and improvements in technology by using their LIFEPAC curriculum as the foundation of their computer-based curriculum, Switched-On Schoolhouse.

Switched-On Schoolhouse is available for grades 3 through 12 in a completely computerized form that includes full-color graphics, videos, sound, a text-to-speech option, internet excursions, and many other features. Web excursions are not essential to the curriculum, so an internet connection is not absolutely necessary. However, the web links add extra interest and additional learning opportunities. Also, an internet connection allows for automatic updating of the curriculum.

Many parents love SOS because it really allows students to work independently. Parents only need to set up the initial program, customize lesson plans if necessary, check student progress which can be viewed in “teacher mode” on the computer, and review writing assignments. Parents can also build supplemental lessons within the SOS curriculum.

SOS runs only on Windows systems. Computer equipment should be fairly current for the program to run at a decent pace, for smooth viewing of video clips, and for the use of sound. Minimum systems requirements are Windows XP with Service Pack 3, Windows Vista or Windows 7.

Bible, Math, Language Arts, Science, and History/Geography courses can be purchased individually or as complete grade level sets. The programs follow the same general format for each subject. A topic is introduced, then students are given pertinent vocabulary words to learn. Activities and/or games help students to quickly master the vocabulary words. (Vocabulary words can also be printed with or without definitions for practice offline.) A number of games for reinforcing concepts and material are built into the lessons for math, geography, and vocabulary drill. Students may skip these games if they wish.

Students read through each section of instructional material on the screen, then hit “Show problems” at the bottom of the screen to work through comprehension activities. Questions are presented in fill-in-the-blanks, multiple-choice, sorting, and matching. Incorrect answers are immediately identified, although students are not allowed to correct them until later on. The program goes back to missed questions to give students another opportunity to get the correct answer.

These section questions in all subjects other than math allow students to scan the “text” material to figure out what the correct answer should be most of the time, but sometimes they must make inferences, read maps, or interpret data to arrive at correct answers. Math programs require students to solve problems. If students miss questions, those that were answered incorrectly are presented again. Sometimes hints are given such as pointing out that the error was in the spelling or indicating a map to which a student might refer to find the answer. However, such hints seem few and far between.

Once students have answered all questions correctly for a set number of lessons, they take a quiz. It is possible to set the program such that students cannot scan material when taking a quiz, so this is when you will really know whether or not they’ve learned anything. (The “open book” option allows students to exit and enter the quiz as many times as they wish, presumably allowing them to check the lesson for information they don’t know.) Some written responses are required in the exercises and quizzes, and parents/teachers must score these themselves. The program alerts parents/teachers to exercises that need grading while the program is in “teacher mode.” Exercises and quizzes are scored by the computer although parent/teacher override is permitted.

The program is very professional (much improved from the first editions of Switched-On Schoolhouse). It allows parents control over which lessons are to be assigned in which order, how lenient or tough to be with spelling of answers, grade format, and access to the internet. It truly allows students to work independently—a tremendous help for parents with little time to oversee schoolwork. Parents also set up a school calendar that allows the computer to schedule each student’s rate of progress. The computer then alerts students if they get behind schedule.

Extra graphic boxes that expand to add additional information are generally very helpful. The programs move at a fairly good pace for the most part so there’s not a lot of wasted time as in software of the “edutainment” sort. While answers are each followed by a verbal affirmation (which can be turned off if students prefer), there are no “cute” graphics wasting time between answers and subsequent questions except in the games.

The content is non-denominationally Protestant throughout all subjects. Biblical concepts appear throughout all subjects, although less so in math than others.

The Bible program offers solid content, including some Scripture memorization. You can choose either the KJB or NASB version for Bible content.Map identification is added to the typical questions and answers.

The Language program covers reading skills, grammar, composition, spelling, and vocabulary. Periodic writing projects stretch skills beyond the short answers students write within the lessons themselves. Book reports are included for grades 3-8.

History and geography are combined, with geography and map work intermixed throughout lessons. An historical timeline is available to students if they choose to click on "linked" data in their history studies. Essays, reports, and special projects expand learning beyond the computer. Science programs also include a few experiments, essays, observations, and other non-computer activities.

SOS is a very sophisticated system, so it comes with a context-sensitive Help file, accessible by pressing F1. There are also links to specific tutorials from the locations where they are most likely to be needed (in the Teacher mode). In addition, free technical support is available for SOS users should they need help with either set up or use.

Once you’ve got one student and his or her courses set up, it is easy to add additional courses and students. There is so much customization available to users that most novices will stick with the basics until they get comfortable with the program. But once you’ve used it for a while, you should experiment with all the fine-tuning features such as the ability to customize your calendar, create assignment options for students, change grade options, and even edit and create subjects. You should also take time to familiarize yourself and your student with the dictionary and calculator available through the “resource center” available at the click of a button. Free placement tests are available for core subjects at www.aophomeschooling.com/diagnostic-tests.php

SOS makes life easy for parents, but it’s not perfect. As I have encountered in many other computerized programs, requested answers seemed highly debatable. Teacher overrides are helpful in dealing with such situations, but that requires more immediate oversight. I am continually surprised at questions curriculum authors come up with that have little value or might even be deemed incorrect by some children. For example, the science curriculum in one lesson focuses at least two questions on defining geraniums as plants that often grow in window boxes. Here in Southern California, geraniums are a common ground cover or bush and only rarely appear in window boxes since they grow too fast for such containers. And is not the focus on window boxes a distraction from more salient features of geraniums? To deal with this issue, SOS has added additional variations of possible answers to numerous questions in the attempt to reduce the number of computer-graded answers deemed unfair or unreasonable.

A problem cropped up in the math program immediately with the presentation of addition and subtraction problems with regrouping. Given 3-digit numbers, students will generally work from right to left to solve each problem, yet the cursor begins on the left, and it is a bother to get it to enter numbers in the logical order.

In the language program, students are frequently working from reading selections, answering questions regarding content. Unfortunately, some of the questions are too nit-picky. For example, one question asked students how many trees were in the backyard (13) in a story about family members being friendly to birds and animals. The number of trees was irrelevant unless you really want children to memorize that sort of detail when reading.

With each new edition, SOS continues to improve. Graphics, games, and weblinks have been among the more visible improvements, while "behind-the-scenes" features such as the teacher search tool, customizable subject reports, the ability to zero out a lesson, and print capability for lessons, problems, assignments, and records provide parents/teachers with the tools they need. Another feature sure to be valuable to some students is "text-to-speech." Students highlight text they want to hear, choose from various electronic voices, and hear the passage read aloud. A couple of new features added for 2011 include attendance tracking and reporting and a transcript template.

Numerous SOS elective courses—some for elementary grades but most for high school level—can be added to a SOS core curriculum or used on their own. Among the electives are Spanish and French courses for elementary grades or for high school, plus consumer math, state history, The Story of the Constitution, Physical Fitness, Personal Financial Literacy, Health, and College Planner.

SOS is not a creative approach to learning since it must be very structured and controlled to be able to work within the computer format. Nevertheless, I expect that many parents will find SOS the tool that makes homeschooling possible for them.

Note: Also see the review of Monarch, the new, internet-based version of SOS.

Pricing

$89.95 per subject or $419.95 for complete 5 subject set

click here for 10% discount

Instant Key

  • Suitable for: independent study
    Audience: grades 3-12
    Need for parent/teacher instruction: very minimal
    Prep time needed: none once system is set up
    Teacher's manual: N/A
    Educational philosophy: computer-based, traditional
    Religious perspective: Protestant

Publisher's Info