Here's a previous discussion that will give you additional info on where you might find lower priced texts: community.greatschools.net/groups/11551/discussion/219806
In fact, I invite you to "join us" in the "College and Beyond" Group (there are only a few of us who regularly participate; it seems most Greatschool members have younger kids) community.greatschools.net/groups/11551

I know about the prices of books at college level. We just went on a tour of the bioenergy lab at a nearby college and the thoughtful professor gave Jeff a biology textbook that is a sample--he said it costs $150. That is ridiculous. I know we want to keep book companies in business but why take advantage of students?

The books I was talking about were for elementary students!!! Can you believe it?

I'll have to remember ebay. That's a great idea.
For what it is worth, when I was in college (about 30 years ago) one class listed a book that we never used. Someone asked the professor about it at the end of class--like why did we have to buy it?
He wrote it....now that's pathetic and unprofessional.

Thanks for the ebay idea!
Karen

Thanks for the Java resources; I'll let my son know. Of course, I have to laugh, when you talk about school books costing $30-$50 each.....my son's private high school books cost more each than that used, and his college texts - one (that I even got on ebay) was still over $200!!! Another course demanded two texts and a workbook, plus particular supplies, and it ended up being over $400 total, just for one class!!!

As far as AP Chemistry, I will pass along your information to the mom who asked....I'm still not sure she can do a lab course by herself, but she can look into it further...

Yahoo (no not the company). I hope, hope, hope that AP is using keyboards by 2012. You mentioned dysgraphia. Someone had mentioned taking that route so Jeff could type on AP exams. I looked at the procedure you have to go through to accomplish this and thought "this is ridiculous". The purpose is what's best for the kids and for finding out what the kids do know. Their procedure for this sounded like a mouse in a maze!

Websites are no problem. I am the family computer apprentice, but I've learned a lot since I retired--especially in the area of what our son needs. He prefers the Java Tutorial website from Sun Microsystems, but you are probably better off to look at and/or try each and see what fits.

Introduction to Computer Science using Java
fp.lhps.org/scarbeau/javaonlinelessons/cs151java.html

This is from Central Connecticut University and has chapters on analog and binary signals, running Java programs etc. It comes with interactive quiz and flash cards. Very nice professor created it and responded to questions I sent to the college. FREE


The Java Tutorials (by Java company--Sun Microsystems)
java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/
Instructions, quizzes, examples etc.
This is more advanced and more updated and recommended by Dr. Kjell (from CCU) because Jeff complained that the other one was partially “outdated” (?). Dr. K said that his site is used by most high schools but if Jeff recognized some parts being outdated, he needed something more advanced--hence this site; so it depends on where the person is. Dr. K is a great professor, I think. I probably wouldn’t understand either website! It is FREE!


Animations to Assist Learning Some Key Computer Science Topics
courses.cs.vt.edu/~csonline/
This is from Virginia Tech, but not focused on Java (I don’t know how updated it is). It is interactive, quizzes, animations etc. It goes into algorithms, artificial intelligence, data structures etc; set up in modules. And FREE

PLEASE NOTE "FREE". I really believe that schools could save so much money if they used the internet more. Books are wonderful,but when they cost $30-50 per subject and each student gets several books (and the school I worked in gave them away long before being outdated or worn), it adds up. Get good books for fiction or reference and use the free sites that interact and adapt to a child's ability for instruction. Then the teachers would have more time to "interact" with the kids.

AP Chemistry--I just checked two books out from the library. I can't possibly teach this, but some teachers can so I wish some that love it would consider doing it in the summer or after school--I'd pay. It would be cheaper than college, I think--you know for labs or complex portions.

I have Barron's AP Chemistry and The Princeton Review Cracking the AP Chemistry Exam. Both give overview information and practice exams--always get ones recently published because AP exams change.

They do come with lab information. Also go to
www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_chem.html?chem

and

www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/chemistry/samp.html
This site gives you sample exams so you know whether the subject is a possibility.

I really wish that either teachers (with the right skills) or college students (with the right majors) would consider doing these kinds of subjects.

There are tons of AP chemistry websites that I haven't used yet (I've just been researching).
This first one looks good.

www.sciencegeek.net/APchemistry/APtaters/directory.shtml

shs.nebo.edu/Faculty/Haderlie/apchem/apchem.html (list of many sites)

www.chemistrygeek.com/ap.htm
(has online 3D lab, too)

www.chemcool.com/

chemunder.mps.ohio-state.edu/under/microchem/microchem.htm

Most are from colleges. Type in 'AP chemistry online' and a BUNCH come up and could save schools megabucks. I guess that is a new topic I should start and then a portion of the savings should be spent on gifted education....

Good luck and share what you find!
Karen

I recall reading that the College Board is planning to allow all students to keyboard by 2012, not requiring them to show special ed documentation and request accommodations...
Since you've done so much investigation into AP online courses, do you know where or if a student can take AP Chemistry? A mom I know on another forum was asking, and I can't imagine how the labs can be handled...She's from California.
FYI, I'm in IL, and my son is now a college freshman....his situation is complex, because he's highly gifted, but also has ADHD and dyslexia/dysgraphia. If you don't mind my asking, what's the best free Java site you can share?

Hey, thanks. I am a member of some Michigan Gifted and Talented groups but wasn't aware of OGTOC and I will sign up.

I am familiar with AP exams and we do have Barron AP Exam prep books. There are also some great websites available for AP courses free from colleges. You do still have to take the exam and pass it to get credit. One nice thing about AP is that you don't have to take the course and you don't have to finish the course in one year if you do decide to take it. You can do it on your own, use internet, books and even youtube!

This year we've used Online Biology Book (type it that way to find it) that is from a community college in Arizona. It has text, graphs, photos, learning objectives, questions, glossary and all for free. We also have some computer science (Java, algorithms etc) websites from colleges that are free.

We're planning on AP courses with exams that he can earn college credits with to both save money and get him through some of the freshman courses. If he gets through some of those courses, he'll be able to start classes on what he really loves first (wants to be in software design). A college that I have talked to said (in Admissions) that their brightest students often come in as sophomores.

I have communicated with College Board and ACT and a state test regarding allowing students to choose if they prefer to write essays or do free response with pencil or use a keyboard. Our son types faster than I do and gifted students usually think faster than they can push a pencil. I'm making an effort to also help them see that using a keyboard will motivate many kids to enjoy writing more. Some day.

Most offices and professions and businesses use computers. Our son calls using a pencil "archaic and outdated". I know that he needs to use one, but when you look at the free response sections on AP Biology or other exams, you are looking at pages to write. Ironically, when I asked about it, I was told that "spelling, grammar, capitalization, punctuation do not count unless it effects the information." College Board said that for AP exams their purpose was to find "the depth of the student's knowledge." If the depth of their knowledge is the key, then they should be allowed decide the method of communication.

They also told me that the lack of computers was the real reason for not allowing typing (preventing internet access isn't a problem). I suggested that they give kids the option and go to a college for computer access ( a local school does). It would end up saving them money. Imagine how much it costs to evaluate the free response sections while they try to translate and decipher hand-writing.

OK, I'll let that go (whew). You can tell this is something I've investigated for future use. All exam samples are available for AP on College Board's website.

Now, I am just thinking of community college courses or other ideas so he can have a chance to meet others that are into computers. Even a class a week would be great if we can find the right one that challenges him. It is still a maybe idea.

You know how it is with gifted children--each phase is an adventure ^!^


Karen TC

PS I'm the one that decided to home school because of the lack of GT programs in our area and because schools refused to allow him to have mentors (and I wasn't going to waste time arguing about it and I retired). We found a great group and went on many field trips with them--most to colleges (classes in robotics, solar cars, astronomy, rocketry; tours of museums, cyclotron--anywhere one of us thought of).

You might be interested in contacting this poster: community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/408184/is-there-a-good-school-around-for-a-child-that-is-a-computer-nerd

Thanks for the clarification....there was someone else recently seeking a mentor for her teen with Asperger's, who loved science, and I couldn't remember who.

In view of what you've shared, I "second" the suggestion to enroll in community college programs...my son took his first community college summer class at age 15, in electronics. At first, they weren't sure how to enroll him, since he didn't have a H.S. diploma or even ACT/SAT scores. Eventually they decided to have him take the transfer student "COMPASS" placement test, which was a computerized test of basic math and english, and he passed so they decided he could take whatever credit courses he desired. We did pay the "going tuition rate."

You mentioned that you homeschool, but wanted your son to get AP credits instead of paying college rates?? The AP exams are administered by the College Board, which is a separate agency from schools. You can't take a college class, then pass the AP exam, and get tuition refunded....I must be misunderstanding what you mean. Students can take AP exams without ever having taken a course in H.S., if they feel confident about the subject matter. (The libraries often carry books, like "Dummies Guide to AP Physics" to help kids brush up.) What we found is that different colleges do have different restrictions on carrying over AP credits...some schools may insist on a score of "5" for certain majors, where a score of "3" or "4" is acceptable at other universities, or for certain degree programs. Unless you're sure what university your son will attend, it's all a bit of a "gamble" at this stage. I presume he'd take the class for sheer enjoyment of the subject matter, anyway, and if he eventually got credit, great. If not, that's okay, too.

You might like to post your question here in Greatschools Gifted Parents Group at community.greatschools.net/groups/11537
By the way, are you a member of OGTOC? giftedonlineconferences.ning.com/?xgi=caROhJu
The link noted above is an invitation to join the NING website
for OGTOC (Our Gifted/Talented Online Conferences)

Nope, he doesn't have Aspergers or any learning disability. He is highly gifted and with that comes more awareness and sensitivity . Finding other gifted kids is harder during school years--smart isn't always considered "cool" (or whatever the word is now). Once grown, they find each other in their professions.

I'm just looking for some friends or mentors in our area (southern Michigan) with computer knowledge. He's been intellectually ahead of his age-peers in regard to what he wants to do or learn about. And they aren't interested in programming, level design etc.

He has computer friends online which is nice (we're cautious). They play a game and share programming ideas and have shared comparisons about their "habitats". He's careful and doesn't give out personal information, but would chat with someone around his age (you could tell). He uses games, microphone, webcam etc. Last year, he talked via microphone with a friend in Florida who had never seen snow. He used his webcam and sent him footage of a lovely snowfall in our back yard. The friend shared the plant life, weather (hurricanes!), terrain etc of his area. So, he has those kinds of friends.

In this part of the country, a big part of high school is sports or clubs such as "quiz bowl" competitions. He has no interest in either one. He doesn't really complain, but I do think it would be great to find kids with similar interests. No computer clubs at any schools--I checked. I just keep "seeking" and hope someone will turn up.

I think I may go with the community college idea if we can get him there!

Share if you think of something. No problems (other than normal teen!) but just a computer guru looking for other ones.

Thanks
Karen TC

Where do you live? Are you trying to find a "local" person, or would an online friend be useful? In a previous posting, did you mention your son had Aspergers? There's an 18-yr-old guy who participates in another forum that I know of, who is "big into computers" and thought he'd be a computer science major, but he's now switching to special ed. He's a sharp guy, but also has some special ed requirements (epilepsy & other issues) and he may know of some online Java groups that would be good for your son, or maybe be willing to befriend him personally. Let us know exactly what you're seeking...

Thanks! I did contact community colleges (one 20 minutes away and one 30 minutes away), but the problem is that he doesn't drive yet. I may start to look into one for this summer (when we don't have to battle snow drifts).

I have contacted many professors to let us visit and you know how it goes, some say maybe and some aren't interested...

I am trying right now to get together with either of the community colleges.

I had hoped that he would get AP college credit instead of paying college rates.AP costs $95 for exam if you pass it and you earn 3-8 college credits compared to the cost of college.

He's also had college mentors from ages 8-12 then a new person took over the dept and we were told that he was "too advanced" for their mentors...hmmm

Thanks, but I will keep trying the community college idea. Right now, a friend in "Java" land would be great.

KarenTC

Hi KarenTC,

Have you tried your local community college? Often community colleges allow high school students to take courses with permission of their high school counselors. They'll likely have some kind of clubs affiliated with the computer majors as well. Since he's already 14, and eagerly interested in computers, he very well might be able to handle the coursework.

At the very least, contact the chair of the computer science department of your local community college and see what they can suggest.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.