I remember there was some discussion awhile back about the AOPS courses. I'm wondering about the amount of homework and time needed to be allotted to the course outside of the class. Also, how the class is structured - what needs to be done online during the course. I think someone mentioned that the course moves fast and goes deeper than ordinary middle school Algebra, is this true? And finally, the site mentions LaTex, is this absolutely necessary? Thanks

I'm interested in the answers, too, so if you don't mind "sharing with the class," I'd be grateful.

I'm always reading the recs of everyone here with great interest! Future reference and all that...

CFK
Here is a link to the latest discussion about AoPS books and courses:
*** Link no longer working ***

To answer your questions: DS13 is currently in Intro to Number Theory. This is his third or fourth class from AoPS. You (and your child) learn how to approach AoPS as you go. Of course the more you put in, the more you get out of it.
In my son's case, he absolutely has to attend the class, reading from transcript is just reading, if you know what I mean
AoPS class meets once a week for an hour and half. Your child will get the most out of the class if he/she participates in an online discussion/solves or attempts to solve problems that are posted by the instructor. To do this you not only have to have a good grasp of the subject (they ask that you prepare by reading the assigned chapter), but you also need to type fast and accurate. Using LaTex is a nice bonus but it is by no means necessary. Your child will learn LaTex as he goes along.
I would not worry about too much repetition, it most likely is not going to be a problem
After each lesson an instructor posts online problems, generally about 10 of them per week. They are not necessarily based on the material covered during the lesson, sometimes they go ahead (Ghost is not able to solve many of them initially but has no problems a week or two later). There are also so called "challenge sets", 2 or 3 of them(between 15-20 problems each), depending on the class, that are evaluated but not graded.
Time wise it is very challenging for my DS13, as it is done outside of his regular school and other EC activities.
I wonder what Cym will say here, but I honestly believe that an hour a day (meaning 7 hours a week) at least is needed to be able to complete posted problems and the challenge sets. At least, sometimes more.
As I have indicated before, IMO AoPS is for mathy kids. The problems are difficult because 90% of them go outside of the book. This is problem solving/contest mathematics, not so much regular school curriculum.
Also, remember that you are taking this class in the evening and at home. Not the best environement to stay focused. As we go along I have figured out ways for Ghost to stay focused and involved, but it did take some time .
Ghost is not able to take Algebra class that is starting in June, but I do hope they will have another one available in the fall. We have already agreed in our house that he is going to do Intro to Algebra followed by Intro to Geometry, even though he will be in Pre-Calc next year.

P.S.

The last two classes in Intro to Number Theory they have been focusing on Modular Arithmetic and Abstract Algebra.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modular_arithmetic

For those of you mathy parents out there - is this ever encountered in the "regular" curriculum?

Thanks for the links Ania! Sadly, I am not the math person in the family, you may remember my high school said I had "math anxiety" and was not required to take any more math past Algebra I! I may order the first Aops set for my husband to look at and decide when to introduce it to DD8.
Interestingly, the older I get, the more interested I am becoming in more advanced math concepts, maybe influenced by DD and DH's interest!

I don't know. I didn't experience the regular curriculum myself and my kids have not encountered modular arithmetic at school, except in the form of time-telling.

Cathy

I've seen it in college courses, but never before college.
This concept is also covered in computer programming courses.

That said, it's thought-provoking and while students don't NEED it, I recommend it as a concept to learn, or at least be exposed to.

If I am not mistaken, Dottie was the one who actually purchased the Algebra book and was doing it with her son (?)
What are your thoughts Dottie???

Dottie,
I am asking about this :

LOL, I am just re-reading this thread and realizing that I have missed completely Dottie's response on the previous page.
Dottie, excuse me, I am cleaning, packing, washing and surfing the net at the same time
Obviously, I can't do it all! My last post before this makes no sense. Sorry again !

If anybody is still talking about modular arithmetic, I remembered that it is a good way to win at Eeny-Meeny-Miney-Mo

Nice Cathy, nice.

Yes, good thinking. I was trying, but couldn't come up with any real applications. "Catch a tiger/monkey/penguin/rugrat by the toe..." would do it.

My DS has only taken one AoPS course so far (Intro to Algebra). It was definitely challenging, definitely for "mathy" kids and not just the casual course in Algebra 1. The instructor was great and the community of kids were clearly amazing math students. If you're interested in credit, choose a different provider (I think it would be hard to negotiate because there are no grades). The more you put into it, the more you get out. We started pretty strong, doing all of the problems, reading the chapters ahead of time, keeping up with the Challenge set. But it went fast, and without the 7 hrs/wk, we did not do the last Challenge Set and typically DS was not able to solve some of the homework problems. He got a lot out of it, did very well on Algebra placement test at the middle school (so that teacher says he doesn't need the course and should move on). DS wants to take another AoPS course soon (maybe this summer).

I did think it was a little irresponsible for the district's gifted newsletter to list AoPS as a resource for math courses, first because I don't think they would give credit for it, and second because I do not think it's appropriate for just anyone--again, really designed for "mathy" kids.

So Cym, do you also figure that at least 7 hours per week, outside of classroom time is needed to really take advantage of the course?
Also, since your son has finished Intro to Algebra without prior Algebra knowledge, what do you think is better : doing AoPS Intro to Algebra before or after being already introduced to Algebra at school?

It was perfect for us for our purposes at the time. DS needed new material, challenge, exciting community of amazing mathy kids, and a very clever instructor. Ideally, to get the most out of the class, I would suggest someone already have taken Algebra 1 and invest at least 5 hrs/wk time (outside class). Maybe not 7 consistently, but 5 probably--I would think 7 would be difficult since it's after school. Then maybe a little more when the crunch of turning in the Challenge Sets.

My DS11 just took Algebra 1 and I think it would be a class well-suited for him (if he were mathy) because it would build on what he's learned and go deeper/more complex. I will offer it to him in the fall, but I doubt it's something he would elect to do (though he always surprises me).

They say only that the most difficult of "Intro" courses is Geometry, so I guess one should take it last.
Good luck! And please let us know later on how are you liking it