No Refund from Edu-Track. They said it would set a bad precedent. While I can see their point, I think they should stand behind their product guarantee regardless of the time. If I said I won't use it after the refund, then I won't use it. But, whatever. I guess I'll still be able to use it for the record-keeping feature, as I mentioned, and the transcripts. However, I think the software interface is clunky and outdated-looking, and I won't enjoy using it at all. I hate to feel trapped into using it for ALL of my kids just because I made one bad purchase. So, I guess we'll see.
My advice? Don't buy Edu-Track!
Showing posts with label edu-track. Show all posts
Showing posts with label edu-track. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Lesson Planning Solution
Just a quick post for those of you who were losing sleep or becoming depressed over my lesson planning issues. (KIDDING! lol)
Anyway, I imported some of the lessons into my word processor so that I could use the text. (By the way, my word processor is from OpenOffice.org - It is free and easy to use, comparable to leading office software suites. Did I mention it was FREE?)
Then I downloaded Donna Young's Excel Weekly Planner and input the information into that for the kids. (I used OpenOffice.org's spreadsheet program rather than Excel. Again, remember it's FREE. And it is powerful. Works just like the leading brand! hehe)
I also wrote out a list of what I expect to plan for which subjects each day of the week, so I end up with balanced time for the subjects and also for the computer.
I feel FAR more on top of this now. It isn't going to make me a transcript, but that's ok. I have printed out assignment sheets and will be able to do so each week.
Oh, btw, the school-assignment software I downloaded must need a registration key because I couldn't fully install it. Ah well. Maybe I can contact someone there and see about that, but for now, I am set.
I am going to write to Edu-Track and let them know about my issues and see if they'll refund all or some of my investment.
Anyway, I imported some of the lessons into my word processor so that I could use the text. (By the way, my word processor is from OpenOffice.org - It is free and easy to use, comparable to leading office software suites. Did I mention it was FREE?)
Then I downloaded Donna Young's Excel Weekly Planner and input the information into that for the kids. (I used OpenOffice.org's spreadsheet program rather than Excel. Again, remember it's FREE. And it is powerful. Works just like the leading brand! hehe)
I also wrote out a list of what I expect to plan for which subjects each day of the week, so I end up with balanced time for the subjects and also for the computer.
I feel FAR more on top of this now. It isn't going to make me a transcript, but that's ok. I have printed out assignment sheets and will be able to do so each week.
Oh, btw, the school-assignment software I downloaded must need a registration key because I couldn't fully install it. Ah well. Maybe I can contact someone there and see about that, but for now, I am set.
I am going to write to Edu-Track and let them know about my issues and see if they'll refund all or some of my investment.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Lesson Planning Software Woes
I am having a very hard time with EDU-TRACK software! It doesn't do what I need it to do. It is unwieldy. It is slow. It looks clunky. I can't get a mental picture of my kids' work with it. It feels like I am working blind. If I make changes in one subject for one student, I have to go in and manually make the changes for the other students as well, instead of being able to make global changes. That alone takes FOREVER.
A friend tells me that Homeschool Tracker Basic has pretty much the same problems for her.
Despite having about $75 invested in Edu-Track, I think I'm going to move on to something else, or maybe go back to what I was doing last year. It worked fine; I just wanted something on the computer to MAKE THINGS EASIER. Instead I am tearing out my hair, avoiding my lesson plans, and in general just not making things easier. Edu-Track will be getting a letter from me about this.
I found something else I just downloaded - School Assignment Lesson Plan Management Software. It appears to be a free download. I clicked on "Download Now" and it downloaded. We'll see if it works or if it is a limited trial. If that doesn't work, I think I am going to trash everything I did in Edu-Track and just use that software to keep track of David's grades.
Maybe you like paper forms (as I do too, in many cases!). Here is Donna Young's Lesson Planning page.
Don't know what I am going to do TOMORROW! LOL Maybe I'll be like Scarlett O'Hara and think about it tomorrow.
A friend tells me that Homeschool Tracker Basic has pretty much the same problems for her.
Despite having about $75 invested in Edu-Track, I think I'm going to move on to something else, or maybe go back to what I was doing last year. It worked fine; I just wanted something on the computer to MAKE THINGS EASIER. Instead I am tearing out my hair, avoiding my lesson plans, and in general just not making things easier. Edu-Track will be getting a letter from me about this.
I found something else I just downloaded - School Assignment Lesson Plan Management Software. It appears to be a free download. I clicked on "Download Now" and it downloaded. We'll see if it works or if it is a limited trial. If that doesn't work, I think I am going to trash everything I did in Edu-Track and just use that software to keep track of David's grades.
Maybe you like paper forms (as I do too, in many cases!). Here is Donna Young's Lesson Planning page.
Don't know what I am going to do TOMORROW! LOL Maybe I'll be like Scarlett O'Hara and think about it tomorrow.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Try-It Tuesday (a little late) - Lesson Planning Software
I did finish the lesson planning with Edu-Track. Well, things are never REALLY finished, but I did accomplish my goal. AND I did it by Wednesday.
Maybe you noticed I didn't post a Try-It Tuesday this week, but you can TRY lesson planning with software too if you'd like.
You can get Edu-Track demo software for $5. I actually thought I'd use the Palm feature of this program, which is different from any other I'd seen, but it costs $20 more than I already paid, so I don't think I will. My Palm is really old (m105) and I don't plan to replace it since they aren't still upgrading Palm software.
If I were you, though, I'd try Homeschool Tracker Basic's free download. If you like it, you can buy the upgrade to Homeschool Tracker plus. Wish I'd done that.
I'm sure there are other software options, but these are the two I know about. Why don't you try one? Especially if you have a need for record-keeping, one of these may work well for you.
Maybe you noticed I didn't post a Try-It Tuesday this week, but you can TRY lesson planning with software too if you'd like.
You can get Edu-Track demo software for $5. I actually thought I'd use the Palm feature of this program, which is different from any other I'd seen, but it costs $20 more than I already paid, so I don't think I will. My Palm is really old (m105) and I don't plan to replace it since they aren't still upgrading Palm software.
If I were you, though, I'd try Homeschool Tracker Basic's free download. If you like it, you can buy the upgrade to Homeschool Tracker plus. Wish I'd done that.
I'm sure there are other software options, but these are the two I know about. Why don't you try one? Especially if you have a need for record-keeping, one of these may work well for you.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Edu-Track Updated - Moving Along
I've decided to make the best of my software - learn to work with its quirks and strengths. I did invest a bit of money in it and just purchased the lesson plans as well, which saved me a TON of work.
So, this is how far I've gotten with lesson planning.
Entered lessons through December (or further) for the following:
Baker Bible Study Guide for All Ages - Volume 4
Character Building for Families – Volume 2
Math U See – Algebra 1 (David)
Math U See – Gamma/Delta (Emily)
Math U See – Gamma (James)
Math U See - Alpha (Suzy)
Phonics - Explode the Code 5&6 (James)
Phonics - Explode the Code 3&4 (Suzy)
Easy Grammar Plus (David and Emily)
Spelling Power (David and Emily)
Penmanship (all kids)
Composition IEW (SWI-B) (David and Emily)
Journal Writing (all kids)
Letter Writing (all kids)
Apologia Physical Science (David)
Apologia Zoology 1 (Emily, James, Suzy)
Mystery of History Volume 2 (all kids)
Still have to create plans and/or type them in:
Sonlight Bible (David)
Silent Reading for all
Instructive Reading for all
Read-alouds for all (I may not choose these ahead)
Sonlight 100 (David)
Art - Creativity Express (all kids)
Music Appreciation Still deciding on curriculum
Physical Education
Vocab Study - English From the Roots Up/Rummy Roots
Typing
It's remarkably easy to create a repeating event, such as having the child write a letter every Thursday, and include that in the lesson plans. Since often I just have the child do "the next two pages" or something equally as general, that works well in those instances.
It's also easy to copy the assignments from one child to another, and just do a group-change of the grade level, so that the subjects I do all together can be included this way.
Once the lessons are in, I can run several kinds of assignment sheets or checklists and print them out. I will also be inputting the scores for math and other subjects to keep track of grades, at least for David.
I'm going to MAKE MYSELF enjoy learning to use this program. It's GOING. TO. WORK.
::::forces smile::::
No, really, it's getting better.
So, this is how far I've gotten with lesson planning.
Entered lessons through December (or further) for the following:
Baker Bible Study Guide for All Ages - Volume 4
Character Building for Families – Volume 2
Math U See – Algebra 1 (David)
Math U See – Gamma/Delta (Emily)
Math U See – Gamma (James)
Math U See - Alpha (Suzy)
Phonics - Explode the Code 5&6 (James)
Phonics - Explode the Code 3&4 (Suzy)
Easy Grammar Plus (David and Emily)
Spelling Power (David and Emily)
Penmanship (all kids)
Composition IEW (SWI-B) (David and Emily)
Journal Writing (all kids)
Letter Writing (all kids)
Apologia Physical Science (David)
Apologia Zoology 1 (Emily, James, Suzy)
Mystery of History Volume 2 (all kids)
Still have to create plans and/or type them in:
Sonlight Bible (David)
Silent Reading for all
Instructive Reading for all
Read-alouds for all (I may not choose these ahead)
Sonlight 100 (David)
Art - Creativity Express (all kids)
Music Appreciation Still deciding on curriculum
Physical Education
Vocab Study - English From the Roots Up/Rummy Roots
Typing
It's remarkably easy to create a repeating event, such as having the child write a letter every Thursday, and include that in the lesson plans. Since often I just have the child do "the next two pages" or something equally as general, that works well in those instances.
It's also easy to copy the assignments from one child to another, and just do a group-change of the grade level, so that the subjects I do all together can be included this way.
Once the lessons are in, I can run several kinds of assignment sheets or checklists and print them out. I will also be inputting the scores for math and other subjects to keep track of grades, at least for David.
I'm going to MAKE MYSELF enjoy learning to use this program. It's GOING. TO. WORK.
::::forces smile::::
No, really, it's getting better.
Grass is Greener
Right now I'm wondering why in the world I bought Edu-Track. Oh yes, I remember - the nice lady at the conference with her handy binder of printed information.
I don't like the interface of the program - it's clunky. Yes, it apparently can do a lot, but I can't figure out how to make it work! I usually have no difficulties with new software, but some software is more intuitive than others. This is not very intuitive.
I know, yesterday I was all geeked. Today, I've hit a wall. Maybe by tomorrow, I'll have figured it out and made a lot of progress. Hope so! Cuz right now, I'm looking at Homeschool Tracker and wondering why I didn't get that instead.
The grass is always greener.
I'm taking a break for lunch and the water park with a friend! Then I'll try again.
I don't like the interface of the program - it's clunky. Yes, it apparently can do a lot, but I can't figure out how to make it work! I usually have no difficulties with new software, but some software is more intuitive than others. This is not very intuitive.
I know, yesterday I was all geeked. Today, I've hit a wall. Maybe by tomorrow, I'll have figured it out and made a lot of progress. Hope so! Cuz right now, I'm looking at Homeschool Tracker and wondering why I didn't get that instead.
The grass is always greener.
I'm taking a break for lunch and the water park with a friend! Then I'll try again.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Edu-Track Lesson Plans
Well, Edu-Track is making my planning easier already. I knew when I bought it that there were lesson plans online for purchase but I'd forgotten that handy fact until today.
I was able to purchase 6 sets of lesson plans for under $11 - all for curriculum I definitely will be using.
I imported them into the Edu-Track program and pasted them into the proper student's lessons. Voila! Easy lesson planning done for six subjects.
I am still learning how Edu-Track works, but I'm getting the hang of it!
I was able to purchase 6 sets of lesson plans for under $11 - all for curriculum I definitely will be using.
I imported them into the Edu-Track program and pasted them into the proper student's lessons. Voila! Easy lesson planning done for six subjects.
I am still learning how Edu-Track works, but I'm getting the hang of it!
| 1 x | Institute for Excellence in Writing - Group B Version File Download: (*.lxp) Edu-Track Lesson Export | $1.99 |
| 1 x | Mystery of History - Volume 2 Version File Download: (*.lxp) Edu-Track Lesson Export | $1.99 |
| 1 x | Easy Grammar Plus Version File Download: (*.lxp) Edu-Track Lesson Export | $1.99 |
| 1 x | Apologia Zoology 1 Version File Download: (*.lxp) Edu-Track Lesson Export | $0.99 |
| 1 x | Math-U-See Algebra 1 (Honors) Version File Download: (*.lxp) Edu-Track Lesson Export | $1.99 |
| 1 x | Apologia Physical Science (Style 1) Version File Download: (*.lxp) Edu-Track Lesson Export | $1.99 |
| --------- | |
| Sub-Total: | $10.94 |
| Free Shipping: | $0.00 |
| Total: | $10.94 |
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Planning Week and Edu-Track
Monday begins the week I've set aside for getting my lesson plans done. I try to do them ahead for at least a whole semester, since I tend to try to wing it if the plans are not done. I'll check in each day to post my progress.
I bought the Edu-Track software at the convention in May in hopes of keeping better records. I feel the need to do better at this since David is in 8th grade this year. I want to get in the practice before he actually hits "high school".
I bought the Edu-Track software at the convention in May in hopes of keeping better records. I feel the need to do better at this since David is in 8th grade this year. I want to get in the practice before he actually hits "high school".
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