Khan Academy is a non-profit educational organization that offers online tutoring in math, science, computer programming, history, and other topics. Its’ primary purpose is to provide online instruction for learners of all ages and levels, from kindergarten through college. Khan Academy has become increasingly popular over the years as a resource for students who need support outside of the classroom.
But is Khan Academy a good math curriculum to use? In this article, we’ll examine the features, curriculum quality, and other factors to determine if Khan Academy is the right fit for your math needs.
What Is Khan Academy?
Khan Academy was founded in 2006 by Salman Khan, a former hedge fund manager and an MIT and Harvard Business School graduate. Khan Academy has become an international leader in providing free and low-cost educational resources to students around the world. It offers instructional videos, practice problems, and assessments to help students learn and gain confidence in a variety of topics, including math, science, and computer coding.
Khan Academy’s website provides a range of topics, from basic math to calculus, algebra, and more advanced topics. Its’ videos, featuring passionate and inspiring instructors, explain concepts in an easy and interactive way.
Learners can pause to work on problems and mastery of material is measured with automated feedback and progress reports. Khan Academy also provides differentiated instruction and accommodates different learning styles. These features offer students the opportunity to delve into topics at their own pace, allowing for more autonomy and creativity in their learning.
The Quality of Khan Academy’s Math Curriculum
Khan Academy’s math curriculum is comprehensive and covers topics from basic arithmetic to advanced problem-solving, algebra, and calculus. Khan Academy’s lessons are based on the Common Core State Standards, the US national standards for math instruction. Khan Academy also offers videos that explain mathematical concepts and help learners work through difficult problems.
The videos feature professional instructors and audio-visual effects that make learning more engaging. Khan Academy also offers practice problems and assessments, such as quizzes and tests, to help learners build mastery of the material.
In addition, Khan Academy provides learners with personalized support to ensure they understand and master each concept. This personalized instruction allows learners to stay on track and receive timely feedback.
The Pros & Cons of Khan Academy as a Math Curriculum
Khan Academy is an excellent math curriculum for students of all levels and abilities. Here are some of the pros and cons of using Khan Academy as a math curriculum:
Pros
- Free, accessible, and low-cost resources.
- Adaptive and differentiated instruction for different learning styles.
- Automated feedback and progress tracking.
- Covers a range of topics from basic math to calculus.
- Videos and practice problems to support learning.
- Interactive and engaging lessons.
- Personalized support for timely feedback.
Cons
- No textbooks or printed resources.
- Limited selection of topics.
- No face-to-face instruction.
- Not accommodating to independent learning.
- No support for students with special needs.
Who Is Khan Academy Best For?
Khan Academy is best for independent learning and self-guided instruction. It is also ideal for students who need help with the Common Core State Standards. Khan Academy can also be used to supplement existing math instruction in the classroom or to help students who are falling behind.
Conclusion
Khan Academy is an excellent resource for learners of all ages and abilities. It provides comprehensive, interactive lessons to help learners understand and master math concepts.
Khan Academy’s benefits include free, accessible resources, adaptive instruction, and personalized support. Khan Academy is an excellent choice for independent learners and those who need help mastering the Common Core State Standards.