The home study course is a set of tapes (or CDs now). The course is taught with a lecture style. Very comfy cozy lecture style, but a lecture style. It also walks you through some exercises and the whole PR process.
There is a single tape/cd (see paraliminal at this site) that is designed to help you with the activation step. It is not necessary to make the system work, but LSC is giving the home study course purchaser an additional tool the help them master PR.
Good luck,
Iam2