F.A.Q.
Answers to commonly asked questions
Whose side is the Nomadic Professor on?
The short answer is that Nomadic Courses actively avoid partisanship, ideology, and dogma. While we can’t (and don’t want to) escape the narrative we find most convincing, we are forthright with the students: we constantly remind them that they are reading an argument, not an authoritative, voiceless textbook, posing as The Final Answer. Further, we actively and rigorously train them in how to identify evidence and challenge conclusions, even our own evidence and conclusions, while avoiding the unnecessary headache of pretending that “all answers are equally valid.” If you’re interested in a longer answer, you can read our full blog post on this question.
Who is the target audience for the Nomadic Professor’s courses?
The courses are designed to be accessible to a range of students. Dr. Jackson’s content is as rigorous as the college courses he teaches, which makes it appropriate for college students and adult learners.
But we also provide a unique level of support throughout each session and unit, which means our courses are a very good fit for high school students as well. (Families and classrooms will have to make case-by-case judgments about how well the content is suited for advanced middle school students.) Every session comes with clear expectations, guided notes (with an answer key), vocabulary, guidance in vocabulary retention, and quizzes (with feedback for nearly every question). Every unit also features a document lesson (with an answer key) that comes with video guidance from Nate, where he spends time in the sources with the student, modeling how to read like a historian.
Is your curriculum aligned with standardized tests?
Yes. Each unit plan shows how the content in that unit lines up with the CLEP and with Common Core State Standards.
For a sample daily schedule for our Basic, Standard and Advanced tracks, see this document.
What should these courses look like on my student’s transcript?
In the full Course Handbook—which you will receive with any course purchase—this question is answered in more depth. The short answer is that each Nomadic Course (e.g., US1, US2, World 1, World 2, etc.) earns a student .5 history credits. When a set of courses is paired (e.g., US1-2, US3-4, etc.), students earn a full history credit as well as elective credits. The elective credits include .5 credits in subjects like historical methods, college writing, American literature, rhetoric and logic, and more. Full details on hours spent and content covered are included in each Course Handbook.
Can I get official high school credit?
The best way to get official high school credit is to take your courses through a charter or virtual school. Charter schools include groups like IDEA in Alaska, or the network of schools associated with APLUS+ in California.
If you would like your student to take a course from The Nomadic Professor but you would also like them to take it with instructor guidance, consider taking your course through one of our institutional partners, such as Aim Academy Online, Bridgeway Academy, or True North Homeschool Academy.
Absent the oversight of an institution like those listed above, the best way to earn transcript credit from a Nomadic Course is through a parent-generated transcript.
What if I don’t want my student in the community?
We believe that our community, Nomad Nation, offers a valuable supplement to our online courses, by allowing parents, teachers, and students to communicate with other parents, teachers, and students. However, it is only a supplement to the course, and a student will not miss any content if they opt out. When you sign up for the course you will get a foll0w-up email inviting you to the community, which you may ignore without losing any of the awesome benefits the core course has to offer.
Where does the curriculum come from?
The text and on-location videos in each course were written by the Nomadic Professor. The scaffolding and guidance in each course were developed by Nate Noorlander.
Do you offer any regular promotions?
Yes! Our largest annual sale on both courses and subscriptions is held in the spring. Another marks the end of November (Black Friday). Additional, one-time sales are announced to subscribers of our monthly newsletter.
More About Us
Why Go Nomadic?
Besides granting you access to the NP’s courses, a subscription comes with plenty of perks. Find out here.
The Nomadic Team
Meet the globetrotting Dr. William K. Jackson and veteran High School teacher Nate Noorlander. Click here.
Nomadic Partners
Check out our growing list of fabulous partners, which include prominent leaders in the educational sphere. Click here.
In the Media
We've been grateful to amass acclaim for our courses from far and wide. Peruse our reviews by clicking here.
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