Rest assured, I am not against
The Khan Academy … at least not entirely.
There are several reasons to celebrate what its founder,
Sal Khan, and the
team have done:
- A discussion about ‘flipping the classroom’ (as the Economist helped point out) has become mainstream, if not a healthy obsession
- Outlets such as TED, Charlie Rose and even Stephen Colbert have helped push the topic of education reform to the masses by interviewing or showcasing Sal Khan
- Videos and learning have become an essential component of the learning cycle; as opposed to some form of babysitting tool. See this short video for an example
- Even vendors like Cisco are producing white papers outlining the benefits of video in education
Where I take umbrage with
The Khan Academy is its inability to properly position what it is doing in the education space.
Theirs is one of prevaricate, not truth.
I’m also not alone.
See examples
1,
2,
3 and
4.
That stated, I don’t want to stop the brilliant work they are doing.
I don’t’ want this post to come off like a jealous diabolical rant either.
What I simply implore
The Khan Academy to do going forward is quite simple:
- Stop suggesting you are reinventing education. You are positively complimenting it.
- Start positioning Khan Academy as supplemental reinforcement or didactic introduction.
- Add pre and post learning elements to the videos that assist curriculum lineage or linkage
- (ie. recommend other related learning assets that further the learning be it websites, articles, other videos, simulations, exercises, games, etc.)
These steps, in my opinion, will serve not only your organization’s future better, but it will properly align expectations of students, parents, teachers and administrators.
The Khan Academy is great. It is not, however, the reinvention of education.
That, unfortunately, is both naïve and incorrect.
The Khan Academy is in a wonderful situation to actually help in the transformation of the learning experience and thus the learning cycle. It is in a position of strength to help enable a better schooling experience.
The reinvention occurs when our classrooms become melting pots of collaborative-based interdisciplinary learning using
formal, informal and social means. It occurs when we truly
tear down the walls.
It does not occur solely through the use of your video-based lectures, reporting and badges.
Otherwise, you will remain
The Con Academy in my books.
Rest assured, I am not against The Khan Academy … at least not entirely.
There are several reasons to celebrate what its founder, Sal Khan, and the team have done:
These steps, in my opinion, will serve not only your organization’s future better, but it will properly align expectations of students, parents, teachers and administrators.
The Khan Academy is great. It is not, however, the reinvention of education.
That, unfortunately, is both naïve and incorrect.
The Khan Academy is in a wonderful situation to actually help in the transformation of the learning experience and thus the learning cycle. It is in a position of strength to help enable a better schooling experience.
The reinvention occurs when our classrooms become melting pots of collaborative-based interdisciplinary learning using formal, informal and social means. It occurs when we truly tear down the walls.
It does not occur solely through the use of your video-based lectures, reporting and badges.
Otherwise, you will remain The Con Academy in my books.
