Khan+Academy

KhanAcademy

http://www.khanacademy.org/

What is it? Khan Academy is an online education tool designed to teach the subjects of mathematic, science, economics and social science. The idea is to “learn almost anything – for free” (Khan, 2011)

Students watch lectures on these subjects, put together by founder Salman Khan. These lectures start at the basics and progress to more complex aspects of the subject area. Each lecture is between 7 to14 minutes long.

This site is all about moving at your own place and steering your own learning. It allows students to learn new information through watching lectures then practicing to consolidate. When practicing students receive instant feedback on the correctness of their answers. It also provides rewards, keeping track of a “streak” of correct answers, to create a reward system similar to “Guitar Hero”. It also awards badges for improved performance (Thompson. 2011) which can be collected.

Who is it for? This site is for anyone who wants to learn. I had a quick investigation and play of the mathematic subject and think it would be suitable to introduce to students in Stage 2 (year 3 and 4).

Can students with additional needs use it? Yes, because this site allows students to progress at their own rate, they have the option to move as fast or as slow as they need. There are also additional reporting aspects to this program that allow a teacher m

onitor, record and individualise education to suit the student’s needs. The information is well designed and very useful for teachers and parents.

Is this the right path? Every student will have different needs that will need to be met, but this type of program maybe what it takes to reach specific students, especially those with additional needs. If a student is able to learn the content in the comfort of his or her own home and then come into the class ready to apply and ask specific question, isn’t this a better use of our time? I know from my experiences during this unit that I have enjoyed watching all the clips that have been posted and have been able to engage better with the content this way then reading the text.

media type="youtube" key="gM95HHI4gLk" height="349" width="560" align="center" Murry, J. (June 6, 2011) //Could the khan Academy’s video-based; learning transform Australia’s schools//. Australian Anthill Where ideas meet business. June 6, 2011. Retrieved from [] on 18/07/11
 * ** Pros ** || ** Cons ** ||
 * Instant feedback to students || Access to internet outside of school hours. ||
 * Progress reporting || Potential to increase education gap due to economic advantages ||
 * Unaided lectures and practicing || Not designed by a teaching professional ||
 * Frees up more class room time || Lacking ability to be creative ||
 * Doesn’t need parents to know home work content || Is based on US systems rather than localised. ||

Thompson, C. (July 15, 2011//) How Khan Academy is changing the rules of education.// Wired August 2011. Retrieved from [] on 18/07/11

Khan, S. (March 9, 2011) //Let’s Use video to reinvent education: Salman Khan on TED. com.// TED2011 // Recorded at TED2011, March 2011, in Long Beach, California. Duration: 20:27) // Retrieved from: [] on 18/07/11