What if Khan Academy was made in Japan?

Criticism and critique of Khan Academy. You can see more of my stuff at http://rationalexpressions.blogspot.com, or you can connect with me on twitter (@mpershan).

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[zwurman]

As for Khan videos, the author is confused. Khan responds to the often-awful US teaching that leaves student with nothing. So Khan instructs in the core *skills* even as it does not pretend to offer much "understanding." What the author offers are nothing more that a classic page of homework problems covering a broad range of applications of *previously learned* concepts. One doesn't need video clips for this ... just a page of paper.

[mpershan]

How is Khan better than the often-awful US teaching?

Also: I offer no defense of what I offered as an improvement. I'm not really sure if video is the right sort of medium for building understanding.

[zwurman]

Khan at least teaches skills well, which typical US teaching does not, which allows students to move forward. Understanding often comes after, not only before. If you have neither, nothing happens.

[mpershan]

I have no real reason to think that US teaching doesn't teach skills well. Do you have a link to research or something?

[IamJAMES6606]

I agree with this, but i'm in high school now and every kid I know would, once told they had a period to work out this one problem, not do it AT ALL.

[mpershan]

I'm a high school teacher, and you're right. But on a good day, I can come up with a problem that even the most bored math-haters will LOVE for 40 minutes. (Or at least 30.) It's tough, and it only works like 10% of the time, but it's doable.

[Jennifer Kidd]

How about getting the kids involved? Can they post solution videos rather than just the teachers?

[drericstrong]

Regarding the point that the Khan academy videos provide a solution as soon as the problem is presented, robbing the student of the opportunity to learn by struggling through the problem on their own: Are you aware the player has a pause button? (That's a non-negligible difference between Khan Academy videos and American classroom lessons.)

[zwurman]

Pretty terrible. The description of TIMSS video study results is lame and incorrect. While the criticism of what US teachers tend to do is right, the description of the Japanese instruction is incomplete and misleading. J teachers do give students meaningful problems that tend to have a *preferred* solution based on already-covered materials. Students do struggle, and may come with minor variants, but they are *not* expected (or able) to come with significantly different solution approach.

[BrittOlinder]

Not even if their grade were based on it and presentations in front of the class were required? Representatives for the groups could easily be tracked and altered and groups shuffled to ensure full participation.

[BrittOlinder]

Did you know Kahn is currently offering teacher positions? They're asking for vids teaching something for the MCAT as your entry/app. You've got a great idea. The best thing about this approach is that it inspires creativity, takes the fear out of not knowing the right answer and encourages collaboration. Seriously, how could this style of teaching not inspire innovation if it is truly safe for the children to share their ideas and answers are not "wrong" but "approaches"?

[BrittOlinder]

Yes! I was going to say something similar. Even posting their written answers in a forum setting, modeled after what Kahn already has, would give the kids (and adult users) practice at presenting their work. If there was then a requirement to view other students ideas, and moderation, prior to being shown the answer, that would be a huge way to get involvement. I think presenting the ideas is essential. Most of the current videos make me sleepy because they're so passive. I'd welcome the change!