The Home Study Companion: Algebra 1 lessons, distributed via digital download, are based on Paul A. Foerster’s Algebra 1: Expressions, Equations, and Applications. This textbook is available as part of Pearson’s Prentice Hall’s Classics series, or in older editions through various used book sources. The text is a true classic!
Paul A. Foerster has taught mathematics at Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, Texas since 1961. In that same year he received his teaching certificate from Texas A&M University. His B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering and M.A. degree in Mathematics are from the University of Texas. Among many honors, he was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching in 1983. He brings to his teaching and textbook writing the insights from his engineering background. His textbooks contain some of the best collections of real-world applications to be found in any algebra textbook.
Anyone studying mathematics at home (whether homeschoolers or adults seeking to brush up or extend their mathematics skills) will recognize early on that they miss the guidance and personal touch of an experienced teacher. Each lesson brings with it new techniques, new insights, and new ways of thinking. A great textbook is a wonderful resource, but a good teacher can model the thought processes and help “lift the material off the page.”
The lessons in this course are based on “screen-capture video” technology. To the user they appear as “whiteboard lectures” (see screenshot below). They provide the missing “classroom presentation” part of the course for anyone studying mathematics at home.
All of these courses are now being distributed via direct download. If you place an order with us, we will forward your contact information to Mr. Chandler, who will email you a download link/code.
You will need to separately purchase a copy of Paul A. Foerster’s Algebra 1: Expressions, Equations, and Applications.
ISBN 10 :0131657089 / ISBN13: 9780131657083
The lessons are based on the Prentice Hall Classics version, but there are only minor differences between this and earlier versions. (The 1999 and 1994 Addison Wesley editions appear to be essentially identical with the Pearson-Prentice Hall edition except for the cover.) Solution manuals are available from Pearson-Prentice Hall (also from rainbowresource.com), but you will probably not need the solution manual for this course because each lesson has a second video that demonstrates the solutions of a significant number of problems, enough to be the entire assignment. Texts may be obtained directly from Pearson-Prentice Hall. Used copies may be available from Amazon.com, Valore Books, or elsewhere.
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