Education is a fundamental aspect of a person’s growth and development and is necessary to help people make the most of their potential. To this end, Khan Academy has entrenched itself as an increasingly popular go-to resource for students of all ages looking to further their academic prospects. Yet, Khan Academy is not the only game in town and there are plenty of alternatives out there.
As such, over the course of this article, the process of exploring alternative resources to Khan Academy in education will be discussed in detail.
Definition of Khan Academy
Khan Academy is an online non-profit educational platform featuring instructional video courses, practice exercises and assessment tools. Founded in 2006 by educator Salman Khan, the website offers an extensive library of lessons in Mathematics, Science, Computer Science, History and Humanities for students of all ages. In addition to these core educational pillars, Khan Academy also features lessons in SAT preparation, business, computer programming and health.
The curriculum of Khan Academy is generally comprised of interactive teaching methods and multimedia resources. Via both multimedia slide presentations and tutorial videos, Khan Academy ensures that users are able to conveniently access and engage with the material.
Furthermore, the website is heavily equipped with extensive discussions, questions and comments from practising students, allowing for real-time learning.
Alternative Resources Available to Students
Outside of Khan Academy there are a variety of other alternatives available to students, depending on the student’s interests and needs. One of the most renowned platforms most recommended is TED-Ed.
TED-Ed is a global online education platform that provides video lessons, discussion boards, and mini-quizzes. TED-Ed caters to learners of all levels, ranging from elementary all the way to university. Apart from providing knowledge-based content, TED-Ed particular specializes in subject areas that are often overlooked or not given enough attention, such as philosophy, linguistics, and psychology.
TED-Ed’s lessons are usually between 3-7 minutes in length and comprise of concise, easy-to-follow steps and explanations. All of their lessons are entirely free and accessible, and students can engage with teachers and students beyond the scope of their lessons.
Another alternative is Coursera, a massive open online course (MOOC) platform that specializes in MOOCs provided by universities such as Stanford and Duke University. Coursera is especially beneficial for students interested in pursuing postsecondary education, as each course provides a verified certificate upon course completion. All courses offered through Coursera are flexible and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.
Furthermore, each course is designed and taught by experienced subject matter experts and is accompanied with comprehensive assessments.
Assessment of Quality and Cost
When assessing the quality of educational resources, both Khan Academy and its alternatives are largely considered reliable for students and educators alike. Khan Academy is often restrained by the age-appropriateness of its content, as it continues to cater to a broad spectrum of student-age and interest.
As such, more typically older students may often find themselves wanting more diverse content. In this respect, TED-Ed and Coursera offer more specialized content catered to the user’s own needs. TED-Ed offers a smaller library of focused, specialized lessons which may be more appropriate for older students while Coursera is much better suited for those pursuing postsecondary education.
Aside from quality, cost is also a factor to consider. As previously mentioned, Khan Academy, TED-Ed and Coursera are all free of charge, so the question of cost comes down to the value the learning experience is derived from each. In general, the educational content of Khan Academy and its alternatives is largely considered well worth the price for any student serious about further educational pursuits.
Creer Platforms Versus Industry-Specific Platforms
When considering education alternatives to Khan Academy it is important to consider the differences between career-orientated platforms and industry-specific platforms. Khan Academy is a career-orientated platform that focuses on core principles applicable to postsecondary and career pursuits (i.
e. Mathematics, Science, English and Medical Sciences). As such, Khan Academy may be ideal for students looking to increase their knowledge base before applying to university programs or professional pursuits.
Alternatively, industry-specific platforms such as Coursera offer more specialized material catered towards professions, such as programming, Data Science, Business and Law. These industry-specific platforms are invaluable resources for those looking to pursue a living in the respective field, as the course materials featured will adequately prepare the user for the job market.
Assessing Data Quality
Data quality is another factor to consider when assessing educational resources. Apart from the quality of the content, students also need to consider other aspects such as the organization of material, the readability of content, the availability of supplementary resources and the overall user-interface of the platform. The organization of material is critical when it comes to assessments and tests.
Khan Academy and its alternatives feature clearly organized material which allows students to more effectively understand and engage with the material. Furthermore, the navigability and readability of content should be used as an important yardstick when assessing education resources.
Supplements resources are also important in educational resources. Khan Academy and its alternatives feature multiple supplemental resources such as interactive quizzes, videos, and discussion forums which enable students to practice and understand concepts better. In terms of user-interface, each platform should be evaluated for its aesthetic appeal and its intuitive user-experience.
With each platform now featuring mobile applications, the user-interface should lend itself to being used on a mobile device.
Evaluation of Teachers
Apart from assessing the quality of content, it is also important to assess the quality of teachers featured on any educational platform. Khan Academy and its alternatives feature experienced and qualified teachers who have not just the ability to effectively teach, but also the necessary skills to engage with students and answer questions. This helps students to more effectively learn and understand the material.
Furthermore, users can also assess teachers based on the availability of resources and feedback. Khan Academy and its alternatives feature a variety of resources such as lectures, articles, quizzes and interactive chats which students can access to further their understanding of any particular subject.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Khan Academy is an invaluable resource for students of all ages, there are plenty of alternatives out there that can help the students in their academic pursuits. Both TED-Ed and Coursera are excellent alternatives to Khan Academy and each one offers its own unique advantages, depending on the student’s interests and needs. When considering the quality and cost of these resources, it is important to remember to factor in other aspects such as the readability of content, the availability of supplemental resources and the user-friendly interface of the platform.
What’s more, users should also take into account the quality of the teaching staff featured on each platform. Qualified teachers can not only aid in the teaching of the material, but can also provide engaging resources and feedback.
Overall, while Khan Academy is an invaluable educational resource, there are more than a few alternatives out there that have the same potential to help students of all levels reach their educational and career goals. \