Will Khan Academy Revolutionise School?
What is the Khan Academy?
In 2004, Salman Khan began tutoring his younger cousin, Nadia, in maths over the internet, then other cousins. Such was the interest from YouTube watchers, he quit his job as a hedge fund analyst to start the not for profit Khan Academy full time.
Salman “Sal” Khan aged 44, son of immigrants from Bangladesh, founded the Khan Academy, a free online YouTube education platform in 2009. His 6,500 YouTube, multi-subject videos have been viewed 1.8 Billion times. In 190 countries and 30 languages. 100 million views per month. Khan an MIT graduate, is charismatic, funny and smart.
Sal Khan Explains it
There are other talks by Khan, e.g.: https://youtu.be/gM95HHI4gLk
Khan wrote this book: The One World Schoolhouse: Education Reimagined.
How Does it Work?
The Academy is an aid for school teachers, not a substitute, although it can be for those without a school. Khan says it helps kids catch up.
In a one size fits all classroom, the teacher has to proceed with lessons to meet a curriculum timetable, irrespective of whether all kids are ready to move on. If some don’t understand any part, they switch off. Some fall behind, become frustrated and rebellious. But by allowing them to watch entertaining instructional videos, again and again, with no school room pressure or embarrassment, they get up to speed. They can then join in and keep up.
We have all seen kids not understanding in our school days and it was hard on them, especially if there was no help from home. We had textbooks, but motivation and encouragement were needed. If the Khan academy is specified as homework, it frees up teachers to spend more time on individual needs. Watching videos is cheaper, long term than buying textbooks each year.
Kahn realised this when teaching his cousin Nadia. She was bright but afraid of and a failure at maths. With his video coaching, she became top of her maths class. Obviously, it may require guidance by parents and teachers to get the kids to watch.
He says the present system leaves some kids only half taught (50% pass), even those with 90% don’t know 10%, etc.
Balancing Kid’s time
We know kids have to be monitored and restricted in screen time and one very important aspect is to get them outside to play. Balance is the key. Sport is important. It is exercise, which improves learning ability and fun combined. Most kids don’t need motivation.
But some self motivated kids, particularly in Africa and other poor countries, isolated from any school, have been able to pass their Australian HSC equivalent. Some have then graduated from university. Starlink plus several other upcoming satellite internet providers will help further, built for remote, unserviced areas.
Sal Khan Recognised
Khan has been recognised with many awards, including:
- The American Academy of Achievement’s Gold Medal
- Annual Heinz Award in the Human Condition category
- Sal Khan, was listed among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People for 2012
- In 2016, Khan Academy won a Shorty Award for Best in Education
- Stanford University was inspired to start Coursera, one of the first free online learning platforms.
Inverting the Education Pyramid
Khan says we should invert the education pyramid and the diagram above says it all.
Many schools now have students participating in group projects, often the kids choosing their own projects. Many of us remember being thrown into a situation where some technical problem had to be fixed with time constraints. Maybe we stayed up half the night, but it got fixed and did we learn!? There is no better way.
Education is Essential for a Rapidly Changing World
- The Digital world will force change, replace repetitive, boring jobs, but planning for and providing prior education will help re-employ those displaced. This needs to happen quickly.
- Education makes lives more interesting and expands interests, reduces crime, wars etc.
- Figures show it will help reduce and eventually plateau a concerning, world population increase.
References
- Khan Academy
- Wikipedia for Education Pyramid
- Amazon
- Coursera
10 Responses
Hi Campbell, can relate to this idea. I was fortunate to attend 2 years of an Opportunity class in grades 5 and6 before moving to a Selective High School for the final 5years. The Opportunity class was almost all about projects and we had our own radio station and Parliament. Learnt heaps but sadly at High school was in a much more structured system and learnt very little so turned my interest to sport. John Shand.’
John, Re the baseline of the pyramid, when I was young, I was thrust into several situations, where I had to solve technical problems way beyond my experience, in a very short time. I got there only with late nights and unorthodox methods. I learnt fast and have never forgotten it. It works.
Brilliant post Campbell. What an impressive young man. I particularly like the education pyramid diagram. It’s something I will use when training staff in the future. Further .. it will be very interesting what changes a post-covid education system looks like? It is certainly one sector that I think will undergo massive change.
Couldn’t agree more Charlie. I think Covid has probably accelerated the use of remote education systems like the Academy. Thanks for commenting.
100 %agree with this philosophy and aid to teaching .
Thanks Richard. The other TED talk I listed below the one on the blog covers a call from Bill Gate’s office inviting Khan to meet him in Seattle. His response was funny. Bill Gates donated $2M.
Campbell
I continue to be distracted like I was at school .Seams I never learn even with handy aids. Will spend more time tomorrow. Cheers John
John, keep at it – we know you are kidding, really appreciate your comments. Trust health improving
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