Case Study - Khan Academy in the Classroom
Ethical Implications - Using Khan Academy
Despite the fact that it's 2015, many teachers continue to struggle with smoothly embedding technology into their curriculum. On a surface level, teachers may use email, word processing and presentation software in class, but that's usually the extent of incorporating technology in class. If anything, it can be overwhelming when a teacher realizes how much is really available in the world of educational technology. Being introduced to a dozen different websites, apps, programs or various resources can almost hinder teachers from using what's available and cause them to resort back to familiar tools in their toolbox. Simply put, that needs to change.
The responsibility to incorporate technology is evident in current research and trends that are emerging in the classroom. Students today are surrounded by technology that calls out and pulls in their attention. Education is no longer free from a screen or an electronic device which raises the question of what the classroom will look like in the next 10 years. Students are by nature social creatures that thrive in situations where they are not only interested but invested. Technology is not an end-all-be-all solution to teaching, but it's a powerful resource that is available worldwide. Educators must determine how to navigate through, organize and utilize those resources for students to have a well-rounded, balanced experience with technology.
Khan Academy provides a safe, free, organized environment for students to be introduced to, review and practice various subjects and topics. More specifically, the resources available in math are continuing to grow and are yielding positive results for people of all ages across the globe. Teachers may not like Khan Academy, but students, overall, are providing a healthy amount of positive feedback after using the website. Looking ahead, Khan Academy offers simple videos and exercises to topics that students may need extra time to practice at home or at school. That alone is a wonderful asset to teachers and something to look at when considering options for students to build on their skills.
The responsibility to incorporate technology is evident in current research and trends that are emerging in the classroom. Students today are surrounded by technology that calls out and pulls in their attention. Education is no longer free from a screen or an electronic device which raises the question of what the classroom will look like in the next 10 years. Students are by nature social creatures that thrive in situations where they are not only interested but invested. Technology is not an end-all-be-all solution to teaching, but it's a powerful resource that is available worldwide. Educators must determine how to navigate through, organize and utilize those resources for students to have a well-rounded, balanced experience with technology.
Khan Academy provides a safe, free, organized environment for students to be introduced to, review and practice various subjects and topics. More specifically, the resources available in math are continuing to grow and are yielding positive results for people of all ages across the globe. Teachers may not like Khan Academy, but students, overall, are providing a healthy amount of positive feedback after using the website. Looking ahead, Khan Academy offers simple videos and exercises to topics that students may need extra time to practice at home or at school. That alone is a wonderful asset to teachers and something to look at when considering options for students to build on their skills.
Implications on Classroom Environment - Effects of Khan Academy in the Classroom
The mission statement of Khan Academy, "You can learn anything," has a very simple but strong message. Teachers often try to put all students in to either square or round pegs: meaning either they get the lesson or they don't. The students who don't are left with the reality that they missed the boat and have to get on the next one. Teachers may argue that a student will never learn challenging content, thus stifling the confidence and encouragement that all students need and deserve. Khan Academy doesn't accept that reality. Their mission is to make academic content accessible and understandable. What a refreshing idea!
The wonderful benefit of embedding technology in instruction is that it opens up the door for teachers to find resources that weren't available 10 years ago. Granted, education wasn't necessarily suffering, but the 1990s generation of students were limited to the resources available. Research was conducted much differently. Lessons were introduced and taught much differently. Tests were administered much differently. Fast forward to 2015 and students today are learning how to create a PowerPoint lesson in first or second grade. Elementary students are learning how to type, middle school students are learning how to code and high school students are learning how to make an impact on their schools and communities. Students are learning, but the content and the means are much different. Technology is no exception. New technologies are being created and revised constantly, but teachers still cling to the familiar and comfortable. Students benefit from relevant teaching: teaching that reaches their needs and sparks their interest. Enter Khan Academy. Along with many other programs, Khan Academy can not only reach students anywhere, but it can provide students with opportunities to build skills that are difficult to master and review content that is possibly mundane in the classroom. Confidently acknowledging that all students can learn is a foundation that I want to declare for all of my students. Any teacher that disagrees with Khan Academy's mission statement has no place in educating young minds. |
Evolution of Technology - What Does the Future of Khan Academy Look Like?
If the past ten years are any type of indicator for the next ten years in education, teachers can expect to be expected to incorporate technology into their classroom more than before. Looking at the trends in technology, it safe to assume that more changes are in the near future. It's also safe to assume that as those changes progress, teachers will be required to adapt and progress with their students. The good news for teachers is that there are a lot of valid and reliable organizations that will continue to evaluate those changes and assess their potential benefits for students. Additionally, much of the responsibility for embedding new technologies falls on administration within school districts. Teachers, however, are not necessarily off the hook from evaluating new technologies. They simply get to wait for what's next and do the best they can to embed technology that is both meaningful and effective.
Khan Academy has the joyful task of looking at how the company can continue to grow yet maintain its core values: a free, non-profit organization that provides short tutorials around the world. They will be looking at how to effectively explain complex concepts and track student progress with new videos and exercises. The fact that millions of people watch the videos and complete various exercises acknowledges that Khan Academy has proven to be a successful resources for teachers. Lessons can be supplemented with assigning Khan videos at home or using them in class for a quick assessment. Teachers have the opportunity to combine online learning with classroom discussion and collaboration, which is the direction education is heading in. The future of Khan appears to be fairly solid as long as they maintain the most beneficial components that attracts learners daily. Khan Academy understands that they need to be in line with where digital learning is going.
Khan Academy has the joyful task of looking at how the company can continue to grow yet maintain its core values: a free, non-profit organization that provides short tutorials around the world. They will be looking at how to effectively explain complex concepts and track student progress with new videos and exercises. The fact that millions of people watch the videos and complete various exercises acknowledges that Khan Academy has proven to be a successful resources for teachers. Lessons can be supplemented with assigning Khan videos at home or using them in class for a quick assessment. Teachers have the opportunity to combine online learning with classroom discussion and collaboration, which is the direction education is heading in. The future of Khan appears to be fairly solid as long as they maintain the most beneficial components that attracts learners daily. Khan Academy understands that they need to be in line with where digital learning is going.