Home education is an increasingly popular form of educational choice, in part due to the increasing availability of online education toolkits and resources. Khan Academy is a particularly well-known online learning platform that can offer support to homeschoolers and those supporting them.
In this article, we will answer 15 key questions about homeschooling and Khan Academy to help you decide if this option is right for your family.
What is Khan Academy?
Khan Academy is an online learning platform that provides students of all ages with access to high-quality lessons and resources. Founded in 2008 by Salman Khan, Khan Academy is a non-profit organization that covers topics across Math, Science, Computer Science, and Humanities. The platform is completely free for students and teachers, and can be used directly or learned from through videos, interactive quizzes, and adapted tutorials.
Khan Academy also includes a collection of personalized learning pathways, adaptive practice drills, and progress dashboards that track progress and learnings.
What Is Homeschooling?
Homeschooling is a form of education where children are educated by their parents instead of attending a traditional school. It is often prescribed more on a case-by-case basis, and can include a variety of teaching strategies and course materials, including online schooling platforms such as Khan Academy. It is important to note that homeschooling is a form of legal education, with laws governing homeschooling varying by state.
What Are the Advantages of Khan Academy as a Homeschooling Option?
There are many advantages to homeschooling through Khan Academy, which has been lauded for its free and easy-to-navigate materials. Khan Academy provides students with access to a library of high-quality, self-paced materials, including videos, interactive quizzes, and tutorials. The adaptive practice drills and personalized learning pathways help students focus and understand complicated topics, while the progress tracking dashboard allows parents and other supporters to keep up to date on student progress and completion.
Teachers also have access to detailed reports about student engagement and skills for further support. Furthermore, Khan Academy’s materials are tailored to varying levels of understanding and learning ability.
This enables homeschoolers to use the platform resources to pick up specific topics that may be beyond their current understanding, or even to dive deeper into topics they may have studied in school. Additionally, Khan Academy is free and easily accessible, so there is no need for additional costs or materials.
Are There Downsides to Using Khan Academy for Homeschooling?
While Khan Academy does offer some advantages for homeschooling, there are also some downsides to consider. One disadvantage is that Khan Academy is a self-directed learning program, and is not meant to replace the support a student would receive from a classroom teacher or home educator.
If the student is falling behind, they may not be able to identify this on their own, or how to best take the necessary steps to catch up. Another disadvantage of using Khan Academy is that as a self-directed program, it is difficult to know how much time and effort is being spent learning the material. Without regular feedback and assessment, it may be difficult for students to show progress and mastery in a particular area.
Furthermore, the materials available through Khan Academy are limited, so if students are looking for extra practice or if a student needs help with learning a particular concept, the resources may not be available.
What Types of Homeschoolers Is Khan Academy Best For?
Khan Academy is best suited for homeschoolers who are self-motivated and driven learners. A student needs to have the capacity to independently explore the breadth of resources on the platform, as well as identify areas where they best need to focus their attention. Khan Academy is not suitable for all learners, particularly those who have difficulty with independent learning.
Khan Academy is also best suited for homeschoolers who are looking to supplement their core education. It is not an alternative to a full homeschool program, and thus those who want a full curriculum will find the resources more limited.
Furthermore, Khan Academy is best suited for those who are looking to advance their understanding of topics they may have already studied in school and want to dive deeper into a particular subject.
Is Khan Academy A Good Fit for Everyone?
Khan Academy is not a good fit for everyone. The main downsides in using Khan Academy as a homeschooling solution are that the material is mostly self-directed and requires self-motivation. It is better suited to students and learners who are comfortable exploring their own learning pathways, and are looking to supplement or expand the topics they may already have studied in school.
Furthermore, for some students, the material may not be relevant or interesting—there is a wide selection of subject matter covered, but it may not cover a student’s own interests. For example, if a student is passionate about art, the Khan Academy materials may not offer the same level of satisfaction as if the student was exploring art in an art class or gallery.
Additionally, Khan Academy may not be suitable for those who need regular and extensive feedback, particularly when it comes to assessing mastery of a topic.
What Are the Main Differences Between Homeschooling with Khan Academy Versus Traditional Schooling?
One of the main differences between homeschooling with Khan Academy and attending a traditional school is that the material is much more self-directed. Khan Academy provides a wide variety of materials, but it’s up to the student to decide how much time and energy they want to devote to exploring the content. This can be a great asset for students who are self-motivated, but can be a disadvantage for those who struggle to find the same level of interest and determination.
Another difference is that the resources available on Khan Academy are much more limited than those offered in a traditional school. In a traditional school, students have much greater access to a range of materials, including books, teachers, and discussions, as well as laboratory equipment for hands-on experiments.
In Khan Academy, these resources are drastically reduced, and students must instead rely on what is offered on the platform, as well as their own research skills and interests.
Is Khan Academy Cost Effective?
Khan Academy is entirely free to use, making it quite cost effective to use as a supplemental educational resource. The resources provided are of a generally high quality and designed to be used by both educators and students of all ages and levels of ability.
Khan Academy is also accessible both on a desktop and a mobile platform, making it easy to access the available materials.
Does Khan Academy Provide Quality Resources?
Generally, Khan Academy provides high quality resources. The platform offers a range of videos, interactive quizzes, adapted tutorials and other materials that cover a wide array of topics in Math, Science, Computer Science, and Humanities.
Khan Academy also includes a collection of personalized learning pathways, adaptive practice drills, and progress dashboards that track progress and learnings.
Do Teachers Have Access to Student Resources?
Yes, teachers do have access to student resources on Khan Academy. This includes access to detailed reports about student engagement and skills for further analysis. Teachers are also able to access the progress tracking dashboard and practice drills.
Furthermore, they can provide personalized guidance and feedback, as well as offering support to help the student best use the platform.
Is Khan Academy Accredited?
Khan Academy is not accredited by any school or organization—it does not provide official transcripts or diplomas. However, Khan Academy is recognized by several states as a valid homeschool resources, and students who use the website and its materials can receive official credit if the application is accepted.
It is important to note that states have differing laws governing homeschooling; therefore, it is important to check with the relevant state or education board before starting a homeschooling program.
Is Khan Academy A Good Fit For Students With Special Needs?
Khan Academy can be a very helpful supplement for those with special needs, as the platform offers a range of materials to help students of any level explore topics and advance their learning. This can be of particular benefit to homeschoolers with special needs, as Khan Academy is tailored to different learning abilities and can accommodate various levels of understanding.
Furthermore, the progress tracking dashboard allows parents and other supporters to easily monitor student’s progress and completion.
What Other Resources Are Available To Homeschoolers That Use Khan Academy?
In addition to the materials on Khan Academy, homeschoolers may also benefit from a wide range of additional resources. This includes websites and blogs that offer detailed advice and tips on homeschooling, as well as courses and groups for those considering taking up homeschooling. There are also a variety of resources available for those looking to supplement their Khan Academy material, such as textbooks, study guides, and educational videos.
How Can Parents Best Support Homeschoolers Using Khan Academy?
Parents can best support their homeschooler by staying actively involved with the student’s learning experience. This involves monitoring their progress, providing guidance and feedback, and offering strategies to help the student best use the platform.
Parents can also help motivate their homeschooler by connecting the learning material to their interests and passions, as well as celebrating the learning successes and achievements of their homeschooler.
Conclusion
Khan Academy can be a great tool for homeschoolers and their families looking to supplement their core education. It provides access to high-quality, self-paced materials, personalized learning pathways, and progress tracking to help students succeed. However, it is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling through Khan Academy before beginning a homeschool program.
With the right guidance, support, and resources, Khan Academy can help homeschoolers reach their educational goals.