March 30, 2011
Khan Academy aims to reinvent education through video
From PhysOrg:
The problems with basic education, both in the US and other countries, are complex, but one website may have the ability to improve education on a global scale. The Khan Academy, whose mission is to "provide a free world-class education to anyone, anywhere," currently has 2,200 video tutorials on subjects ranging from math to science to history. Not only could the free educational videos help individual students learn better, but the concept could also reform schools by redefining the teacher’s role and laying the foundations for a global classroom.
Since the site was launched in 2006, the videos have been viewed millions of times. The videos have received positive reviews from viewers due to their clear, conversation-style approach and simple drawings, which are made in SmoothDraw. But, as founder Salman Khan explained at a TED conference earlier this month, he thinks the Khan Academy could do a lot more. Khan wants to increase the academy’s video library to tens of thousands of video tutorials - each about 10 minutes long - that students would watch in the evening as “homework.” Then the next day in class, the students would work on homework-like assignments, where they could ask the teacher questions and work with their peers. In essence, by “flipping the classroom,” students could watch a video lecture as many times as they like, at their own pace, and then have time in class to ask specific questions.
More here.
Posted by Azra Raza at 06:09 AM | Permalink
Comments
Familiar with a computer training business back in the last decade of the previous century, computer training tutorials on cd rom were purchased by companies for their employees. Training for software that directly effected the employee's ability to perform their jobs; Anytime/Anywhere training purchased by the company.
More than 80% of the time, the cd roms were never viewed by said employee when they had the Anytime/Anywhere option. Over 90% of the time, if the cd rom training was started, it was never completed after the first session.
Training and learning is much much much more successful if the student first has to pay something to get it, and also if it is scheduled on a certain date or time, and they are required to attend and/or complete the training by a certain date, and especially if there is monetary reward for successful completion - that is where you have the 80% and higher success rates.
I think the Khan academy is flawed from the start. They should re-do their business plan, based on the experience of other models in training and education.
On-line college degree programs have similar problems.
MIT offered open courseware online a few years back. I wonder at what levels the access, participation and completion is now?
Posted by: odysseus14 | Mar 30, 2011 4:51:36 PM
If Khan Academy is seen through the "business model" prism I agree with this comment. But I get the feeling that Salman Khan is more interested in ideas than money, and if the result happens to generate a revenue stream then so much the better. It's the difference between intrinsic an extrinsic motivation, with Khan himself being intrinsically motivated.
From the start he reminded me of a recording I once heard of Mortimer Adler explaining his ideas in "How to Speak and How to Listen" and "How to Read a Book." I especially liked the observation that with a video one can go back and replay part of what was said or presented.
Learning and teaching are not the same. Learning is what I do because I'm motivated to discover new ideas. Teaching is the challenge I face when I can't get you to embrace the same ideas with the same passion that drives me. It's like potty training. The best motivation for not wetting your pants is not making Mom happy. It's that dry pants are more comfortable than wet diapers.
Posted by: John Ballard | Apr 1, 2011 6:09:10 AM
I earn less than $20,000. a year. I really need the education but I can not pay for it now. I also work full time and I take three classes at my local college. I prefer to study at a pace that allows me to have the time to absorb what I am reading instead of being rushed. I have only read two of the Kahn web pages and I am already impressed. Monday morning I will thank my boss.
Posted by: Katheryn Williams | Apr 9, 2011 7:37:26 AM
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