Comments on: Why Khan Academy is so popular—and why teachers shouldn’t feel threatened

By: backpacktv

backpacktv — Mon, 07 May 2012 02:18:24 +0000

Khan Academy is an excellent resource for students and teachers, but I think Sal Khan would be the first to admit that it’s only a supplement and not a substitute for students solving math and science problems through lots of practice. It’s all worth noting that other teachers are making an enormous positive impact through education videos like Patrick Jones of PatrickJMT and Robert Adhoot of YahMath.

-Joe Wagner
Backpack TV – education videos

By: ad1ult

ad1ult — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:50:30 +0000

Kahn Academy is assisting our Adult Ed students in many ways, but especially in Math. These students are using on-line programmed lessons/reviews/tests and are missing out on the “in classroom teacher touch” that is so important. When they utilize Kahn Academy, they not only see a visual of the Math, but they hear a calm, energetic and understanding voice. Kahn’s sense of understanding the “unseen” student coupled with his sense of humor makes this one of the best and concise methods of distance learning! Thank you!

By: brucebfriend

brucebfriend — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:51:06 +0000

Kahn has put together some nice instructional videos for students. For greater utility and customization of this type of resource I would encourage readers to check out Virtual Nerd at virtualnerd.com

By: computerhead

computerhead — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:07:04 +0000

I have been using Khan Academy for years as a remedial resource for students. And myself

Khan should get a Nobel Prize for what he has
brought to the world, particularly the Third
World. This may sound over-stated at first,
but they have been passing out Prizes for a
lot less lately. Why not one for a teacher
who has been providing intellectual
enlightenment to the whole world ?

By: shopeje

shopeje — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:00:57 +0000

I am so thankful for this very valuable resource, not only for what it can provide for students, but also for the new doors of practical educational opportunities it opens for teachers, and parents, and those interested in systematic review and learning.
Dr. James E. Shope, Ed.D.
Erwin Hill Church of God, Kennesaw State University, and Piedmont College

By: michaeldufresne

michaeldufresne — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 03:53:14 +0000

An educational field of dreams: Provide it and they will learn.

Khan Academy’s success and popular acclaim make me wonder why colleges’ best efforts at online education get such a bad rap.

I am working to develop high-interest mini-lecture videos and other materials to give the on-site portion of my blended classes more of a flipped, student-inquiry-driven focus. Under our current approach, students are expected to begin prep work prior to each class meeting, but most don’t bother as there is no real incentive. I will require that students post questions or topics for class discussion prior to each class meeting and focus much of the meeting on those suggestions.

I would be interested in hearing others’ ideas for motivating pre-class engagement!

Michael Dufresne
mdufresne@devry.edu