Originally posted 7/11/2014

I know much more about the Khan Academy {history, samples, growth} than I do peer instruction. However, I took the opportunity to sign up and log in versus just searching for one or two examples inside of the Khan Academy collection of resources. By doing so, I found that a few days later I was receiving emails that included inviting images. I pretty much felt compelled to follow the link provided in the email. Very welcoming.

It was fun spending 5-10 minutes doing a few math examples and seeing parts of the Khan Academy I had not explored. Getting in and getting involved was easy. I was quickly lost in learning. Had to shake it off and get back to work!

How does learning need to change in the 21st century? It needs to be pervasive or invasive or subversive or all three. It needs to be easy and fun. It needs to be quick and accessible. It is almost as if it needs to be delivered in micro jolts.

So far I believe that the Khan Academy is leading the way and doing fine. I love the feel that I get from the history a bit of a David & Goliath story. America’s coolest cousin goes from underground guerrilla approach to helping a cousin across the country learn math skills to possibly changing the world.

If you can stand walking through the online advertising in Forbes, the following article is worth skimming for more info: One Man, One Computer, 10 Million Students: How Khan Academy Is Reinventing Education – this story appears in the November 19, 2012 issue of Forbes.

Does the academy build upon solid theory and models? From a hands-on learner-centered approach it absolutely does. From a visual, auditory, kinesthetic (old school) approach, it certainly does. Is it missing part of the foundation? Possibly. I need to delve deeper to see if students are asked to reflect on what they are learning; or if there is a method a student can take what they are learning and either demonstrate it to others or apply the concept to a  bigger picture. Then again, I haven’t seen a lot of materials by any college professor that does all of those things either.

Falling short? No. Changing the business of learning? Yes.

Author’s note: It is funny to me that this man used to joke if he had made the Khan Academy as a for-profit venture he’d be on the cover of Forbes…

References
Noer, M. (2012) One Man, One Computer, 10 Million Students: How Khan Academy Is Reinventing Education, Forbes