NatureGlo's eScience FAQ -
Digital Curriculum
Digital Curriculum
What ages are NatureGlo's eScience (NeS) PowerPoint lessons appropriate for?
The curriculum has been written and taught to middle/high homeschool and school students (ages 12 and up), although, upper elementary students join in the live online classes as well. "Age appropriateness" really depends on the student's level of reading, understanding, and interest in the topic. INTERESTED learners of all ages can enjoy the content and take from it what they will. Content can also be saved and revisited later at greater depths as the student matures.
How can I open a zip file?
Here are WikiHow's web page instructions about how to open zip files with illustrations included.
How can NeS PowerPoint lessons and or full course curriculum be incorporated into my student's science studies?
NeS PowerPoints can be used as an elective, a unit study, as a break from the usual science studies, and or for enjoyment.
Has the NeS curriculum been field tested?
Yes! I still use this curriculum to teach live online classes to homeschoolers of multi-ages. This curriculum has been taught and gone through multiple revisions (a never ending story) since 2011.
Why are there three different file formats per PowerPoint lesson?
There are three different file formats because not everyone has the latest version of Microsoft Word, nor does everyone necessarily use Word, so I offer a pdf per file for non-Microsoft users. Pdf files are also compatible across mobile devices.
Can I use your PowerPoint presentations on any of my mobile devices?
Yes, you can! You can either download the latest compatible PowerPoint app or use the pdf files on your device.
I don't use Microsoft PowerPoint, how can I still use your PowerPoints?
You can use the pdf files as slideshows using the latest version of Acrobat Reader and playing the pdf file as a slideshow for yourself and your students.
Why are NeS PowerPoints unique?
These PowerPoints aren't the average or traditionally illustrated PowerPoints. NeS PowerPoints can be compared to Smithsonian’s field guides or Eyewitness Book style illustrations. Each NeS PowerPoint slide makes use of beautiful nature and art photography, many with detailed diagrams. Without repeating backgrounds, NeS PowerPoints are a break from the usual traditionally made presentations. The PowerPoints make use of high-resolution nature photography from the public domain and creative commons sources. Even NatureGlo has added some of her best nature photography to many of the PowerPoint lessons!
How do the study guides fit in with the PowerPoints?
The study guides enhance the PowerPoint experience by giving students interactive questions referring back to the PowerPoint content. Each study guide includes PowerPoint interactive questions, many with sketching opportunities and a journal template to fill out about their favorite species or highlighted person of study with room to make a sketch of their species or person (MathArtist or scientist).
Why aren't there separate answer keys for the courses?
This is to keep the number of files down. The simple solution is, you can copy the file and delete the answer keys for the students where applicable. I typically lock pdf files, but, where there are answer keys, I did not lock them, though of course copyright still applies whether files can be copied or not. Speaking of which....
Why are the PowerPoint files locked?
This is how I protect my long hours of work as my curriculum gets out there.
What's the teaching or learning duration for a PowerPoint lesson with accompanying study guide?
As long as you and your students want. Each lesson can take as little as an hour, or as much as a week or more, depending on how deep your students dig into the content with the online suggested resources and activities from NeS's Virtual Libraries.
How can students get more out of each lesson than just using the PowerPoint and study guide?
Each lesson can potentially have its own student chosen project, activity or experience. I offer web resources from my NeS Virtual Libraries (go ahead, have a look). Typically, students select a project based on their favorite topic and can take them anywhere from a day to several weeks or months to prepare. Project and activity ideas are offered from the NeS Virtual Libraries, but, project choice and duration are up to the teacher and students. Student project rubrics are provided with each lesson or course curriculum.
Is the curriculum aligned with state or national science and math standards?
No, it is not. However, we believe the depth of study and opportunities for students to engage in hands-on projects can potentially exceed standardized education or be a supplement to an already standardized curriculum.
What is your refund policy?
NatureGlo's eScience digital product sales are final and there are no refunds. NatureGlo’s eScience may make certain case-by-case exceptions to this policy. It’s the buyer’s responsibility to make sure before purchase that they have the appropriate hardware/software to use the digital files and that the file format is useful for their needs. Refunds are not available in these circumstances. NeS products are digital files delivered via Internet download and we don't offer refunds save for in the severe case of faulty or corrupt files. Refunds requested after a customer has downloaded the files will be handled case by case. Refund requests must be made within thirty (30) days of your original purchase.
What is your copyright policy?
NatureGlo's PowerPoints & study guides are only to be used by the purchaser, their immediate family living in their household and for the teacher/purchaser's classroom use.