webassign.com, anyone????

[Luvmy4boys]

Anyone have experience with this? My son is a junior in hs. His chem teacher has told his class they need to go online, sign-up and pay for this. Apparently it is a web site that tracks homework and supplies practice tests. It costs $10.50 per student. Faculty can use it for free. Supposedly the entire science dept is going to use it. There was no letter from the teacher or school about this. It was not discussed at curriculum night. I just find it odd that a public school is asking kids (or rather their parents) to pay for this. What happens if every class decides to use? Or you have multiple children in the school? This could add up fast. Why would they not give the info directly to the parent? The teacher did offer to print out hard copies of the work for my son, but said that he would not be able benefit from the instant feedback from the website. So he would be at a disadvantage.
Anyone else have a school that uses this?

 

[blissventure]

Anyone have experience with this? My son is a junior in hs. His chem teacher has told his class they need to go online, sign-up and pay for this. Apparently it is a web site that tracks homework and supplies practice tests. It costs $10.50 per student. Faculty can use it for free. Supposedly the entire science dept is going to use it. There was no letter from the teacher or school about this. It was not discussed at curriculum night. I just find it odd that a public school is asking kids (or rather their parents) to pay for this. What happens if every class decides to use? Or you have multiple children in the school? This could add up fast. Why would they not give the info directly to the parent? The teacher did offer to print out hard copies of the work for my son, but said that he would not be able benefit from the instant feedback from the website. So he would be at a disadvantage.
Anyone else have a school that uses this?

If it were my student, I'd just consider it a lab fee and pay it. Your son is a junior in HS, right? He's 16? 17? It's not surprising the teacher is communicating directly with the student, rather than the parent.
Is your son considering going to college? If so, there will be days around the corner when ten bucks for a semester will look like a bargain.

 

[Luvmy4boys]

If it were my student, I'd just consider it a lab fee and pay it. Your son is a junior in HS, right? He's 16? 17? It's not surprising the teacher is communicating directly with the student, rather than the parent. Is your son considering going to college? If so, there will be days around the corner when ten bucks for a semester will look like a bargain.

I agree except for the fact that you have to use a credit card online. I would not hand over my credit card to my child without full understanding of what it is being used for.

Ten dollars may not seem like alot to some people. I assumed by going to a public school I wouldn't have to pay for an online course. If all his teachers end up thinking this is a good idea, it could get expensive.

This is the same school that had angry parents a few years ago because it was suggested kids "pay to play" sports. So now we have to pay to take a class?

I'm more confused than angry.

 

[suzannen]

My DD's 7th & 8th grade science teacher always used an on-line service listing homework assignments, chapter quizzes, study guides, practice tests as well as list grades for all of her work. It was really great. It was not webassigned.com, but I can't remember the name of the site right now, but there was no financial cost to the students.

 

[blissventure]

I agree except for the fact that you have to use a credit card online. I would not hand over my credit card to my child without full understanding of what it is being used for.

Ten dollars may not seem like alot to some people. I assumed by going to a public school I wouldn't have to pay for an online course. If all his teachers end up thinking this is a good idea, it could get expensive.

This is the same school that had angry parents a few years ago because it was suggested kids "pay to play" sports. So now we have to pay to take a class?

I'm more confused than angry.

I'm confused, too. Why would you need to "hand over" your credit card? Just have your teenager pull up the website, fill out most of the registration info, and then you can sit down and enter your credit card info.

 

[Acklander]

I'd consider it one of the expenses of going to school, just like when buy school supplies for the classroom and for your student at the beginning of the year.
What's the problem with the student using the credit card? Mine's 9 and when he wants to buy something off the internet that requires a credit card he'll just give me the $$$ and use my credit card to complete the order. It only takes a few minutes. It should be fine

 

[Luvmy4boys]

My point is having to pay a third party for part of a class that is being taken in public school.

 

[FireDancer]

I would look at it like a lab fee also.

I have to say I think this is great. I wish more classes tried to integrate new technology into lessons. I find many schools to be way behind the real world in the way they use (or don't use) technology. There are also some industries that fall into this category, I'm not just dumping on schools. It is a completely different thread but the integration of technology isn't only better for the education of the students but is a way to cut costs. This could mean more online lessons or the replacement of physical books with electronic.

Once the kids get into the real world there will be online components to just about everything they do, why not learn it now?

 

[blissventure]

My point is having to pay a third party for part of a class that is being taken in public school.

If your post was more of a vent, that's OK.
I still say, though, if there is any chance at all your teenager is considering college, you may want to pick your battles. Your teen may quit telling you about fees/deadlines if he thinks it will just be annoying. That can have unpleasant consequences for you both.
If your son applies to one or more colleges, you will be looking at many possible third party fees. Some examples: ACT/SAT/AP/application and registration fees, dorm application fees, the list can be pretty long, unfortunately. Many colleges and universities have a late penalty or extra charge for not taking care of things by their deadline. That's why keeping the lines of communication open is a good thing. Why pay more if you don't have to?

And I know your post was about a chem class, but your son is a high school junior. He's right in the college application zone during this year and next summer. Between all the costs associated with applying, and and picture/grad invites early next year, you'll be looking at a LOT of deadlines that involve bucks. If he's absolutely not going to college, then you (and he) will have less to keep up with. My post is just some food for thought, as always YMMV.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

My DD is in Catholic grammar school, so maybe you consider this a different situation, but we were asked to send in a check for $8.25 for a particular science periodical they would need for class this year.

I don't see this fee as being anything different than a math teacher telling you your son needs a graphing calculator or a protractor for class. It's simply a tool your child will need to get the most out of his education.

 

[Luvmy4boys]

My DD is in Catholic grammar school, so maybe you consider this a different situation, but we were asked to send in a check for $8.25 for a particular science periodical they would need for class this year.

I don't see this fee as being anything different than a math teacher telling you your son needs a graphing calculator. or a protractor for class. It's simply a tool your child will need to get the most out of his education.

Yup, had to buy one of those this year too. $125.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Funny how misleading free public education can be huh?

 

[Luvmy4boys]

Funny how misleading free public education can be huh?

Yes, exactly!