Curriculum review

I have struggled with whether or not I should write and post this curriculum review. We have used Tapestry of Grace for 7 years - next year will be our 8th year. I have bought all 4 years of the Classic version and was very happy. When the Redesign came out I really had no intention of buying the new version but we ran across a virtual co-op and wanted to try it. While the co-op did not require us to purchase the new redesign I found that it was too vastly different to participate in the co-op with our family being the only ones utilizing the Classic version. So we bit the bullet and bought the redesign. We were in year 3 and that was still in development last year. So therefore, we paid up front for the whole curriculum but were to be receiving it in units as the year went on. The company had financial issues and couldn't deliver the paper copy of the curriculum on time. On the other hand, they did deliver a digital version on time. We were completely happy with the efforts the company made to make sure we had our curriculum so that our school year could continue. Eventually the paper copy did arrive. We felt the company really did wonderful.

Now we are in year 4 and again - it is still in the process of being redesigned. Due to the financial difficulties the company is only offering a digital version. Unfortunately, it is not what I want. Basically, we do not really 'have' anything in hand. While it is a download, if the company goes under, we do not 'have' a product. It can't be transfered from one computer to another so if our family sells our computer - we have lost our copy of the product. As long as the company is in business they will help you put it on another computer.

Personally, I feel far more comfortable with a printed copy. It is mine. I have it in my hands and even if the company goes out of business, I have something in my hands. Computers fail, technology changes - but print is always there.

Now, I honestly feel that I have paid for a product that I will not be able to utilize beyond this year.

The company does offer a way to get the product in print but you have to purchase both the digital and print. The price to purchase the product in print is really the price to purchase two curriculums. The customer service rep. at TOG admitted that this was true although she thought it was a good thing. I think she phrased it as 'it is really wonderful because for that price you really are getting two curriculums'. Yippie - I just want year 4 redesign in print. No digital. Digital benefits TOG but not me as the consumer. I don't feel I need to pay for two curriculums especially when I already own year 4 in Classic. And yet they aren't listening to the customer. There is no price for just getting year 4 redesign in print. It is disappointing that after so many years as a loyal customer, TOG has (in my opinion) stopped caring about the customer.

So I have bought just the digital version and hate it. I can't take it to a park and plan while the kids play. I am stuck to the computer. I like to 'see' a whole page at a time - and that won't show up on my computer screen - well it will but it is too small to read. Plus, as usual I had difficulties getting it up and running. The difficulties were all on TOG's end. Since I own Classic I get a discount on the redesign. The only way to take advantage of that discount is to call the customer service to place the order. Orders that don't come through the internet don't get automatically entered and so they don't get a license. Therefore, I could download the product but couldn't view it as I wasn't granted access. I had to make 2 calls to customer service and eventually got referred to the computer tech. -- before they got it working.

Again, it just reaffirms my belief that the digital is a hassle and that print is easier. When I order the print version, it just shows up - and it works. Digital took 3 phone calls - 1 to order and 2 to try to get it working. It was a huge waste of my time.

While I still feel TOG is the right solution for our family for other reasons, I do feel entirely frustrated by the company, the company's actions of late, and by the digital product. I no longer feel I can honestly recommend this product to others.