The summer heat is still around in these parts, but the season is basically over with our kids finding their way back to their desks and after-school activities. This particular break just seemed to fly by way too fast, especially since a vacation just wasn’t in the cards for us this year. (Bummer, right? Don’t worry ~ we’re about to make up for it). Instead, the boys took on challenges of their own here at home. The oldest worked over the summer at college. Our middle son took on some high level classes so he could get ahead before his senior year. Now, the youngest? Well, he planted himself in front of a computer and worked on his tech skills! He was given the chance to work with an on-line academy called bitWise in an effort to sharpen his self-taught programming techniques.
We were provided a complimentary year-long subscription to bitWise Academy in exchange for our honest review. All opinions in this post are 100% mine and my son’s alone. This post does contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure policy for more information
Wondering what bitWise is?
Okay – yeah….it’s probably important to share the facts first. So, here we go. bitWise Academy is an award-winning Top 10 Company. They have been recognized as a pioneer when it comes to bringing innovative eLearning courses to the table. The academy focuses on topics such as emerging Science, Technology, Engineering and Math and is said to be a next-generation AI-driven eLearning platform. The program enables adaptive and personalized eLearning experiences for students of varying levels with an integrated Applied CS curriculum that blends computer science with several topics in the fields of STEM, art, music and games. It also introduces students to a variety of tools and programming languages, as well.
The Students
At current, there are over 5000 students enrolled within bitWise Academy. Students represent all grade levels and come from every nook and cranny of the country. In fact, bitWise can now be found in over 400 schools across 30+ states and the numbers continue to grow every month.
Students enrolled demonstrate a variety of learning styles and interests. While some are interested in the arts, others are highly motivated by learning computer languages. The point is, if any aspect of STEM is a part of who your child is, it may be worth taking a look at this online opportunity.
The courses
With over thirty courses offered, students can select from such classes as: computer programming, game programming, art, design, space exploration, data science, statistics, drones, Raspberry Pi, python, Java, AP Computer Science and so much more!
What makes bitWise courses different?
The experience is immersive and interactive and designed to be fun! The courses are geared to be self-paced, allowing the student to work as quickly or as slowly as needed. It’s also meant to be easily adaptable and can be personalized to each student’s learning style and progress.
One of the unique features is that students have the opportunity to become highly engaged, socialize and learn with their friends using features such as the Friends Circle. They can also interact with Beem, a friendly and knowledgeable chatbot, and participate in the larger bitWise Community by posting questions and receiving answers.
Our personal experience with bitWise Academy
The youngest is our computer genius. He is fascinated by coding and really enjoys teaching himself various computer languages. In light of that, when this opportunity arose for him to work with this new program, we jumped on it.
He chose to work on a course that was centered around computers called AP Computer Science A. This course emphasizes object-oriented programming methodology with an emphasis on problem-solving and algorithm development. It is meant to be the equivalent of a first-semester course in computer science and is the first of a four course series. This particular course also includes the study of data structures and abstraction.
In addition, AP Computer Science A is designed to enhance students’ logical problem-solving abilities and increase student understandings of the Java language, but it also builds analytical skills that are valuable in the field of computer science.
To be honest, he was pretty psyched to be taking it at first.
What Our Son’s Honest Review:
As noted above, our youngest eats, drinks and dreams computer languages. He loves to code like it’s a game!
What did he like?
- It teaches the basics, in case the student taking the course is starting from scratch.
- The structure of the lessons is organized well (the course is divided up into lessons and those lessons into topics).
- Each topic ends with a small Q&A to check what the student learned on the topic.
- Some topics have interactive parts to make it easier to learn something.
- It provides friendly graphics to encourage and help young people to learn.
What does he see as needing improvement**:
- Some of the graphics/charts seem confusing.
- Some of the graphics (at least in this course) are geared towards younger children and may not appeal to those who are older.
- It may be a little difficult for people who read faster than the voice dictates, as they may have finished reading the text, but need to wait for the voice to finish in case any other graphics show up.
- There are some grammar issues in different parts and, at some points, communicating the opposite of what may be intended (“IMO” ~ per the youngest).
For instance, to illustrate the last statement, this graphic shows an if/else statement that pretty much as a “true” concluding in a “false.”
Those are straight from his heart, my friends. No coaxing, no pushing ~ purely our son’s review.
**As a side note, these are all things that have brought to bitWise Academy’s attention and adjustments are being made, so I anticipate these will be fixed in the near future.
So, was it worth his time?
I would say it was and he’s glad that he had the chance to work on it. It certainly sharpened some of the skills he already had and taught him a few things about the hardware, which gave him insight into how computers work. It also gave him something fun to work on this summer.
Of course, there are so many other courses he could take and he has the year subscription to try them out. Taking the computer science course first just made the most sense for him.
What parents need to know about bitWise
During the course, parents receive insights and reports on their student’s progress. In fact, it’s the parents who establish the connection with bitWise, though the student does receive emails. It’s easy to stay as connected as you would like and work with your student as they go through their course.
At the end of the course completion, the student receives a certificate stating such so they have documented recognition of their accomplishment!
Confession-time
Now, I’m not a personal fan of Common Core, but that’s because I know how my children’s brains work and Common Core did nothing for them. However, some parents ARE fans and there are school systems that still utilize this method. Within bitWise Academy, there are a handful of courses that follow the Common Core standards and curriculum and those that do are outlined clearly on the site.
FYI: WhatsApp????
Of note, bitWise Academy has also launched an exclusive STEM channel on WhatsApp devoted to:
-
Science
Technology
Engineering
Mathematics.
Final words
While this may not have been ideal for my son’s level of expertise, it was and IS a fun learning experience from which many students will find benefit. It may be the ideal tool for those who homeschool and for those who are looking to increase their STEM experience on-line.
ENJOY SUBSCRIBING WITH THIS COUPON
(coupon expires 12/31/19)
25% DISCOUNT – ENROLL YOUR KIDS IN ONLINE S.T.E.M. CLASSES TODAY! Are you interested in extending your child’s learning beyond the classroom this academic year? Join bitWise Academy and take self-paced online classes in STEM and Computer Science.
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This seems very interesting although my kids are done with school this could benefit my grandchildren. Great article
They absolutely could benefit your grandchildren – great thinking!! Thanks for taking the time to give it a read, Jody!
Thank you for this review. I’d never heard of these courses, but really ought to look into them for my girls. They are both Minecraft nuts and want to be Disney Imagineers, so the STEM stuff may be right up their alley. And when you said the graphics were geared toward younger children (mine are 9 and 11) that really got me interested!
P.S. I just saw the picture of the Sheltie–my favorite dog ever!
Oh, yay!! Another sheltie fan!!! Ours thinks he’s human, of course. LOL!!! Now, with regard to your daughters wanting to become Disney Imagineers??? Oh, my goodness – GO FOR IT!!! Dream Big, Princesses!! You’ve got this. Definitely check out the academy and see if there is anything there that might interest them. From art and math to science and tech ~ there is definitely quite a variety of courses from which to choose. There’s a coupon at the bottom of the post, too ~ if you decide to go forward…be sure to use that 😉 (doesn’t benefit me at all – just you!!). Thanks so much for the read and the comments, Amy!!!!
I will definitely be checking this out! My youngest is a junior and home schooled and we are always looking for new stuff for him to learn! Thank you so much for the coupon!
My pleasure!!! This could be a great asset to those who homeschool!! Enjoy checking out the site! There are so many courses from which to choose!
You really go all out in your reviews and give great info. I appreciate all of the research you do! Thanks!
Aww, thanks, Tricia!!! My hope is that my audience walks away from the post knowing what they need to know and maybe just a little they didn’t realize they wanted to know. LOL.
I wish we had opportunities like this when I was a kid. So jealous!
Right??? When I learned how to type, it was on an electric typewriter. When I started with computers? Well, I still remember the black screen and green lettering! LOL!!! Now? Goodness – they have come a long way. Thankfully (and hopefully) our kids will be better for it.
Great honest review. Your son sounds a lot like my son too. We call him our computer genius too. 🙂
LOL – these kids know so much!! Thanks for taking the time to give this a read. Let me know if you decide to check out the academy.
Very comprehensive review. I’m currently looking at options for my youngest and I’ll put this in the think tank.
Excellent! Thanks for the kind words and I hope you enjoy browsing through the site!!
Great review, I’m glad your son was honest and gave a good review!
Thanks, Lisa!!! Honesty is a top priority in our home, so I’m grateful when I see that the boys value it as much as I do. Nothing is ever perfect, so it’s important to show the good points and the not-so-good points ~ responsibly, of course. I truly believe that that kind of authenticity helps to breed trust, as well.
So many things exist now that I wish would have been available when my kids were younger!
I know, right? I was just glad we had electric typewriters and Atari!! LOL!!! (boy, I just dated myself!!)
I think this program sounds great! So thankful for the honestly and sharing these kinds of things are so important! Definitely going to check it out for future reference!
Awesome – thanks for sharing that, Haley!! Enjoy looking through the site. If it’s something you think your kids would enjoy, don’t forget to check out the coupon in the post!
Being a Silicon Valley momma – this would be great for my kids.
There you go!! Let me know if you check it out!!
I would have loved to use this when I was homeschooling. Also, we didn’t offer computer science courses at the small charter school I taught at. This would be the perfect thing for students to learn on their own during study hall or at home. Thank you for the wonderful review.
My pleasure, Ramae!! The bitWise Academy appears to be growing in popularity in brick and mortar schools and for those that homeschool, so I’m glad that kids who do learn at a different pace, in a different way and perhaps in a unique location can access STEM courses like this.
Great info. More and more of my friends with school age children are finding alternatives to traditional schools. I can’t blame them due to radical views sneaking into our school systems. I’ll pass this one.
This is a great idea not only for schooling purposes but for learning new things instead of gaming. I will be sharing this information with my nephews, especially those interested in STEM. Thanks!
Awesome! Thanks, Judean! I hope they find something they would enjoy learning on the site!!
Great information and it seems like a great program! I’ve never heard of it before. Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure, Melissa!
My son would like this a lot! But I will need to save up it looks like. Thanks for sharing!!!!
Totally get it, Karla! Did you see that there’s a coupon at the bottom of the post? Maybe that can help cut the cost a little for the year if you find it’s a program that would be of benefit to your son.
Great info. I’m hoping that my nephew will home-school his kids, (thought they are still babies), because I would hate to see the current school curriculum forced upon them.
There are so many uses for these bitWise courses ~ and homeschooling is definitely one of them.
Nice review and how great for you! You have your own “tech” guru…something I often wish I had 🙂
LOL!! Well, he’s 13, too, so it’s all conditional upon whether or not he is willing to help his mama out – 🤣🤣🤣
I appreciate your son giving you his honest opinion. Sounds like there are still a couple of things that need to be ironed out in the editing room, but I love the concept! My kids are 9 and 12, and this would be right up their alley. Thanks for introducing it to me!
My pleasure, Malia!!! Every program is going to have its +s and -s, so go ahead and feel free to at least browse through the site and course offerings if you’d like. There is a coupon at the bottom of the post to help defray costs if you find your kiddos are interested in a particular course.
I can see how fun and valuable this is for kids who have an interest in computers and programming! I hope your son enjoys more courses.
Thanks, Cindy!!
I have never heard of this company. This is a great way to get ahead and learn. Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure, Kathy!!! Thanks for the read!
What a great and honest review! My boys who are 7 and 10 years old would definitely enjoy this. I will have to look into it.
Awesome!!! I hope you do! There are so many courses on there to check out!
What a great and honest review. How cool that your son is so adept with computers and was able to try bitwise out!
Thanks for the read, Christina!! Would you believe me if I told you he even helps me with the backend of my site from time to time? LOL. The little stinker. I’m just glad he has something he is passionate about at the age of 13!
This is so cool. My oldest has finally shown interest in something and is really enjoying her coding class. I’ll be adding this to the Christmas list.
Sweet! Look at that ~ one Christmas present already done (hee, hee).
Great post! My youngest is the computer genius in our family, too. I’m going to have to sign him up for bitWise, too. Thanks for sharing.
Awww, thanks, Chris! My pleasure! I hope he finds a few courses he likes!! (ps – don’t forget about that coupon at the bottom of the post)
I’ve been curious about bitwise for awhile now. Thank you for posting to help my better understand.
My pleasure, Lisa!! I hope it answered any questions you may have had!