TOS Review: New Liberty Videos Teaching Origins Objectively

I had the chance to review Teaching Origins Objectively, a DVD from New Liberty Videos that sells for $19.95.

In many science textbooks, the theory of evolution has become commonly accepted, while the idea of origins that came about through an intelligent design is often considered to be purely spiritual at best and not rooted in science. This DVD presents the case for teaching origins objectively and not disregarding intelligent design as a theological theory embraced only by the religious or ill informed.

New Liberty Videos is a company that began with Brian Barkley, who was a Universal Studios employee. He worked on "B.J. and the Bear" and "Quincy" before becoming a Christian and producing a documentary, "Set Free", about San Quentin Prison. Following in this documentary perspective, New Liberty Videos offers a variety of topics in DVD format.

The video runs for 120 minutes (2 hours) and is intended for general audiences, so younger kids will probably find much of it to be over their heads. Still, if you're like me, you'll feel like it doesn't hurt to expose younger children to advanced learning even if they're still not yet able to grasp it in its fullness. This was the idea as I inserted the DVD into the player, though I'm glad I chose to view it alone before sitting my kids down to watch. While, I'm sure my oldest son, 9th Grade, probably will enjoy watching this documentary, it would have been way over the head of my 8-year-old. Still, as an adult, I found it fascinating and enlightening.

This DVD is a compilation of the highlights from a May 2005 hearing before the Kansas State Board of Education where views of approaching the Evolution v. Creation concepts objectively were discussed in regard to teaching students about our origins from a scientific perspective and not disregarding a creative, intelligent design as non-scientific

During this 2005 hearing that lasted for four days, 23 experts presented their views in approximately 20 hours worth of hearing time presentations. The Teaching Origins Objectively DVD presents the best clips from these talks.

The speakers have impressive credentials and include:

• William S. Harris, Ph.D. - Biochemist and Developer of Omega-3 Index
• Jonathan Wells, Ph.D. - Molecular and Cell Biologists, Author of "Icons of Evolution"
• Bruce Simat, Ph.D. - Professor at Northwestern College, Biochemistry and Human Physiology
• Ralph Seelke, Ph.D. - Professor of Biology, University of Wisconsin
• Jill Gonzalez-Bravo, M.S. - Middle School Teacher, Rose Hill, Kansas
• Edward Peltzer Ph.D. - Research Specialist in Oceanography & Chemical Evolution
• Russel Carlson, Ph. D. - Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia
• John Sanford, Ph.D. - Geneticist and Associate Professor, Cornell University
• Robert DiSilvestro, Ph.D. - Biochemist, Professor of Nutrition, Ohio State University
• Daniel Ely, Ph.D. - Professor of Biology, University of Akron, Ohio
• Roger DeHart, B.S. - High School Biology Teacher, Westlake Village, CA
• John Millam, Ph.D. - Theoretical Chemist, Developer Computational Chemistry Software
• Nancy Bryson, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Kennesaw State University
• James Barham, M.A. - Scholar and Author Specializing in Evolutionary Epistemiology
• Stephen Meyer, Ph.D. - Director and Senior Fellow, Discovery Institute Seattle, WA
• Angus Menuge, Ph.D. - Professor of Philosophy, Concordia University, Wisconsin
• Warran Nord, Ph.D. - Professor of Philosophy and Religion, University of North Carolina
• Mustafa Akyol - Freelance Writer for Turkish and U.S Media
• Michael Bebe, Ph.D. - Professor of Biochemistry, Author of "Darwin's Black Box"
• John H. Calvert, J.D. - Lawyer, Specializing in Constitutionally Appropriate Ways to Teach Origins Science in Public Schools

While I am a Christian and believe in creation, I have often heard creation science discussed using only the Bible as a reference to back the idea. I have also heard the criticisms and put downs that make those who believe in scientific design of origins look as if we are less intelligent than those who believe in evolution and accept it as a scientific fact.

I really enjoyed hearing these experts present their cases from a purely scientific, objective perspective. Actually, I found it fascinating and was happy to hear their takes on why they feel it is important to teach origins objectively and the importance of allowing the student to come to their own conclusions after being presented all of the facts from every possible theory, whether evolution or creation.

Good science is not determined upon accepting evolution as the only theory of origins!

Another thing I was happy to see was the long list of educational credentials that each speaker has attained. I felt like this put the each in a position to be equally respected by the Kansas Board of Education as those who prefer to teach evolution as the only scientific theory in regard to origins.

Find out what other crew members thought about this and other videos from New Liberty Videos by clicking on the picture below:

TOS Review: Curiosity Quest

  
I received two DVDs from Curiosity Quest for review.

These included:

DVD Combo Pack - Produce - $24.95

DVD Combo Pack - Swimmers of the Sea - $24.95

The DVDs are intended for children ages 7-14 and contained three lessons each, for six lessons total on the two DVDs.



Our impression of the DVDs:

EACH EPISODE IS LIKE A BEHIND-THE-SCENES, HANDS-ON FIELD TRIP WITH EXPERTS WHO KNOW AND A TOUR GUIDE WILLING TO BE PUT IN PRECARIOUS SITUATIONS ALL IN THE NAME OF LEARNING!

Joel Greene ventures out on quests to discover answers.

   
   

If you ever wondered how are mushrooms grown, what goes into harvesting cranberries, how are oranges harvested or about orange packing - Disc 1: Mushrooms, Cranberries, Orange Packing is your perfect pick.

    
If you are covering life science and want to know about sea turtle rescue off the Florida Keys, why penguins fly, or information about Magellanic penguins, the difference between king or pink salmon, or what is a sockeye, pick up Disc 2:  Sea Turtle Rescue, Penguins, Salmon

The DVDs present a perfect mix of fun and colorful information while making it interesting. The episodes are upbeat and fun to watch without turning it into a hyper fast-paced, loud show meant to entertain today's teens. Yet, somehow the shows are kept interesting and far from just a presentation of boring fact after boring fact.

How We Used It

Though, the educational DVDs are just as engaging during a regular "feeling well" school day - One morning my youngest daughter, age 7, woke up with a sore throat. After trying to do a math and reading lesson, I decided it would be a great day to pop in the Curiosity Quest DVD and have her cuddle up on the couch and just watch.  She ended up watching all 6 episodes in one day.

What ended up happening is that my older daughter, age 12, began interacting with the DVD as well, by answering the fun fact questions and such. And, I found myself impressed and learning information I had never known before as well.

NO SPOILERS HERE!

For instance, we did learn quite a bit, first-hand, about sea turtles when our family took a trip to a beach house that had notices posted about when and why to turn out the lights. However, I did not know how penguins actually feel to the touch, one thing that sea turtles and salmon have in common, and I did not know how Florida orange growers keep their oranges from freezing during cold spells in the winter. Though, you'll have to watch the DVDs yourself to find out what we learned about penguins, oranges, cranberries, mushrooms, sea turtles and salmon.

What We Thought:

The videos are really well done. It doesn't feel like boring lectures. It feels like we have gone on a field trip without even leaving our living room.

The narrator was engaging and entertaining as he went from one locale to another, from episode to episode. We felt like we were there with him, without getting our hands dirty feeding the penguins, or mucking through a cranberry bog. Right there, in the warmth and comfort of our own living room, we were able to learn interesting facts - All the while feeling as if we have gone on the adventures right alongside the guide.

It is in DVD format, so any DVD player will do. It could be played on a computer or displayed on a TV. I put the DVD on to watch on our TV in the living room.



Joel Greene is the guide on the show, and he heads out on curiosity quests to find answers to viewers' letters of curiosity. If you are interested in something, send them a letter through their website, and who knows? Your curiosity just might influence their next episode of Curiosity Quest. Each DVD contains 3 separate quests for information about interesting facts.

Find Curiosity Quest on Facebook, on Twitter @curiosityquest, and you can subscribe to the Curiosity Quest Channel on YouTube.

Read what other reviewers from The Old Schoolhouse TOS Review Crew thought: