I read an article today on Wired.com about the Khan Academy, which is basically a website featuring educational videos by Salman Khan. Khan guides students through math, science, and economics problems and concepts with his audio narration and by “writing” with his mouse cursor on a black background that looks a bit like a chalkboard. The videos are very simple, and Khan does not actually appear on camera, but his eager narration helps students work through the concepts. The site also lets students earn digital “badges,” which can be an incentive to master skills.
The aspect of the Wired article that struck me as interesting is how the teacher referenced in the article, Kami Thordarson, uses the videos in her classroom. Instead of lecturing in class and teaching all students at the same pace, the students are assigned to view Khan’s video lectures outside of class. Class is where students complete their “homework,” which Thordarson is able to guide them through at their individual paces. Advocates of Khan’s site and methods say that is taps into what Benjamin Bloom discovered in the 1980s: students learn more with one on one instruction.
TED.com: Salman Khan talks about how and why he created the remarkable Khan Academy
Khan Academy example video: Introduction to the bank income statement
They are GREAT!! I've used the Khan Academy in my Physical Science class, as his "lectures" are excellent supplements on some of the subject matter we go over in class. Sam used them for AP Calculus this past year too. It's nice for students to be able to stop/start at your leisure.
ReplyDeleteMark and I just discovered the Khan Academy earlier this summer, too! This website is an amazing resource, and I know I will be able to use it this school year. Thanks for sharing!
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