Khan Academy

Definition

Khan Academy is a free online educational platform that provides instructional videos, practice exercises, and a personalized learning dashboard to empower learners around the world. This platform supports a wide range of subjects, making it an essential tool in the context of the rise of MOOCs and online learning, as it democratizes access to high-quality educational resources for students of all ages.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Khan Academy was founded in 2008 by Salman Khan and has grown to include over 10,000 educational videos covering subjects from math to history.
2. The platform uses a mastery-based learning approach, allowing students to learn at their own pace and revisit concepts as needed.
3. Khan Academy is widely used in schools across the United States as a supplemental resource for teachers and students, bridging gaps in understanding.
4. The platform's personalized dashboard enables learners to track their progress and receive tailored recommendations based on their performance.
5. Khan Academy has expanded its offerings to include SAT preparation, enabling high school students to access resources for standardized testing.

Review Questions

• How does Khan Academy's approach to learning differ from traditional classroom methods?
  • Khan Academy's approach differs from traditional methods by emphasizing mastery-based learning and self-paced study. Instead of following a fixed curriculum timeline, students can access a vast array of instructional videos and exercises tailored to their needs. This allows learners to progress through material as they grasp concepts, creating a more personalized education experience that can adapt to individual learning speeds.
• Discuss the role of Khan Academy in the larger landscape of online education and its impact on accessibility.
  • Khan Academy plays a significant role in the online education landscape by providing free access to high-quality educational content for anyone with an internet connection. This level of accessibility helps bridge the gap for students who may not have access to traditional educational resources due to geographic or financial barriers. By democratizing learning through its extensive library of resources, Khan Academy has influenced the way educators incorporate technology into their teaching.
• Evaluate how Khan Academy's features align with the principles of effective online learning environments and their implications for future education.
  • Khan Academy's features align closely with effective online learning principles by offering personalized learning paths, immediate feedback through practice exercises, and a variety of instructional formats such as videos and interactive content. These attributes foster student engagement and motivation while addressing diverse learning styles. As education continues to evolve, platforms like Khan Academy may serve as models for integrating technology in meaningful ways, potentially reshaping traditional education systems into more flexible and accessible structures.

Related terms

MOOC: A Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) is an online course aimed at unlimited participation and open access via the web, often featuring interactive forums and various instructional resources.

Blended Learning: Blended learning combines traditional classroom teaching with online instructional materials and opportunities for online interaction, enhancing the educational experience.

EdTech: Education Technology (EdTech) refers to the use of technology to enhance learning, teaching, and educational systems, encompassing various tools like apps, platforms, and digital resources.