Frequently Asked Questions about Duke TIP Independent Learning
- What qualifications are needed to take a course?
- How do I order a course?
- Who provides assistance?
- How long does it take to complete a course?
- Is credit available?
- What is the difference between a unit and a course?
- What format do Independent Learning products use?
What qualifications are needed to take a course?
There are no specific requirements for a student to participate, and a student does not need to be a member of a Duke TIP Talent Search. Duke TIP's Independent Learning courses are designed for gifted students and therefore are differentiated for higher levels of thinking skills, content acquisition, and assessment. Each course is enriched and accelerated beyond the grade levels specified. Students who take Duke TIP Independent Learning courses are more likely to be successful if they possess a great deal of self-motivation, self-discipline, and love of learning — traits that are necessary to learn independently. These courses are well-suited to gifted students identified by a school for advanced classes, cluster arrangement, pull-out study, or compacting/independent study.
To determine if a Duke TIP Independent Learning course is right for a student, view the syllabus and sample lesson available at each course’s information page. Compare the content and skills that the student has already learned in prior courses and syllabi to ensure that this course challenges the student appropriately.
How do I order a course?
- Place an order online at the TIPstore
- Download the order form (available at each course’s information page) and mail it to our office
Many Learn on Your Own courses require additional textbooks. Duke TIP does not sell supplemental required or recommended texts. The costs of required and recommended texts range from $10.00 to $125.00 depending on the course. These are available at local bookstores, libraries, or online booksellers. Online booksellers may offer new copies of the texts at a discount or may have used copies available.
Who provides assistance?
If Duke TIP Independent Learning materials are used for at-home study, parents and students identify a mentor in the local area who offers assistance during the course. If Duke TIP Independent Learning materials are used in a classroom, the teacher may serve as a mentor or follow the same process as parents. See the TIP Sheet for Teachers for more information.
The mentor can be a parent, relative, teacher, or tutor. The mentor should know the subject area, be able to answer questions, and be able to assess the student's work using the answer keys and rubrics provided by the course. Once a mentor is selected, a plan or learning contract should be created. See Establishing a Learning Contract for more information.
In choosing a mentor, it is the parents', teacher’s, and/or students' responsibility to determine the qualifications of the mentor and to set conditions defining the mentor-student relationship. Consider carefully the type of help the student wants and needs. If, for example, a student finds that he/she has trouble defining goals, a mentor who can guide the goal-setting process and clarify the steps and schedule needed would be beneficial to the student. Or, if a student has trouble asking for help or is confused by what causes trouble in learning, identify a mentor with whom the student can meet often and who can devote longer periods of time with the student. Finding a mentor may mean looking into a variety of sources. The local newspaper editor could serve as a mentor for a student interested in a writing course. Several other professionals (e.g. math teachers or engineers) could serve as mentors for students whose interests correspond to the mentors' professions.
In at-home study situations where parents are interested in negotiating credit or placement for a student's work in an Independent Learning course (e.g. Algebra I), it is recommended that the mentor be a certified teacher in the subject area. Parents should also work with a mentor to determine what, if any, compensation the mentor will receive. Payment for a mentor is not included in the purchase price of Duke TIP's Independent Learning courses.
How long does it take to complete a course?
Learn on Your Own units and courses allow students to work at their own pace. Students, parents, teachers, and mentors should carefully assess school schedules and extracurricular activities before deciding whether or not a course is suitable for a student outside of school or how it can be completed within the school day or as part of homework.
If a student works two to five hours per week, a Learn on Your Own unit takes approximately six to ten weeks to complete (MathPack: Quest, Discovering King Arthur, Word Power. A Learn on Your Own course (all others) takes approximately one academic semester (twelve to eighteen weeks) or two semesters (twenty-four to thirty-six weeks) to complete. These are rough estimates since every student learns differently.
Students should work with their mentors to develop a plan for completing the course. This plan should include regular times of study and meetings with the mentor. Assignment schedules are flexible since the student and mentor arrange them at the beginning of the course. This flexibility provides an opportunity for self-pacing and allows students to take other demands on their time into consideration. See Establishing a Learning Contract for more information.
Is credit available?
If a student takes the Duke TIP Independent Learning product some schools may be willing to grant credit or placement. Students and parents interested in seeking credit or placement should begin working with officials at the local school as soon as the Independent Learning product is purchased. See Seeking Credit for suggestions about approaching this process.
If a student works two to five hours per week, a unit takes approximately six to ten weeks to complete. Units include the 4th-6th grade MathPack: Quest, Discovering King Arthur: Medieval Mystery and Meaning, and Word Power workbooks.
What is the difference between a unit and a course?
If a student works two to five hours per week, a course takes approximately one semester (twelve to eighteen weeks) or two semesters (twenty-four to thirty-six weeks) to complete. Courses include all other CD-ROM and workbook products.
What format do Independent Learning products use?
The workbook format offers 50 to 150 pages of lesson content, including answer keys, rubrics, and mentor guidelines. Workbook offerings include MathPack: Quest, Discovering King Arthur: Medieval Mystery and Meaning, and Word Power, Algebra 1, and Algebra 2 . Note that certain CD-ROM courses also include workbooks, such as Geometry, Math & the Cosmos, and Clues in Crime. Workbook prices range between $35 and $55 — depending on how many workbooks are offered in the unit or course. See each product description for more information.
The CD-ROM or online format offers 100 to 200 electronic pages of lesson content, including multimedia slideshow lectures, interactive assessments such as quizzes, crossword puzzles, and flash cards; and/or hyperlinks to relevant Web sites. A CD-ROM or online course contains at least twice the information of a workbook, if not more. CD-ROM and online course prices range from $55 to $95—depending on the amount and depth of multimedia content and interactivity, as well as number of workbooks included. See each product description for more information about content and technology requirements.