Kahn Academy: Free Online Learning Academy
As Henry Ford once said, “Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” Whether you’re eight or eighty, there’s still plenty to learn in the world. Now, it’s easier than ever to stay connected to that impulse to know, thanks to a world of internet articles, videos, free tutorials, and other content. Don’t feel like you have to pay for online learning. The problem, though, is sorting out the good from the bad. How do you structure all the world’s information into a meaningful sequence to facilitate learning? Khan Academy is a free online learning academy continuously growing.
A Simple Free Answer
At least for entrepreneur Sal Kahn, the answer is to build it yourself. Kahn came from a broken public school system to attend one of the top universities in the country. His experience and time tutoring family members inspired him to create Kahn Academy, an online classroom open to anyone.
The basics of Kahn are well-composed videos and a catalog of practice questions. The topics are all over the board. You can get a refresher on high school algebra or study electrical engineering. The videos are made to be kid-accessible, but many skills on the site are just as useful for adults. Kahn Academy features tutorials on several popular programming languages, lessons on advanced stock trading, and practice sessions for graduate admission tests like the GMAT.
Continually Growing
Kahn Academy is growing in popularity among educators at all levels. Some schools rely on Kahn Academy to provide supplemental instruction to students struggling in math or science courses. Others use the website to provide advanced individual tutorials for gifted students who might otherwise become bored with their mathematics instruction pace.
If the videos and activities were the entirety of Kahn Academy, it would be a fantastic resource for learners of any age. That’s not all the site provides, though. It also uses a smart gamification system to build a feeling of reward. Completing videos and answering questions earns “energy,” which can customize your profile picture, impress your friends, or unlock small browser-based games. The website also offers “coach” tracking, so parents, tutors, or teachers can see how long and under what circumstances students use the system.
Staying on Track in the Summer
Summer is a time when many young minds can wander. Finding ways to keep kids intellectually engaged during school breaks can be challenging. Kahn Academy helps by meeting children where they are. Left to their own devices, kids might spend hours watching videos on the internet. With a little direction, that can turn from mindless entertainment into the habit of lifelong learning.
If you’ve got a child going into an algebra class, it might also be a good idea to brush up on the topic using the course. That way, when the time comes for homework help, you have a good idea about what’s involved and have ready-made resources to kickstart the process. You can brush up on computer skills or learn advanced personal finance knowledge.
Kahn Academy is free to anyone. You need an email address to sign up; the videos can drain metered web connections. Otherwise, throw the app on a tablet or a phone and keep in your back pocket for a rainy day at home or to get ahead on homework.
Tell Us What You Think
Have you tried Kahn Academy? Please tell us what you think. Do you know of any other great free educational resources? If so, please share them here.
CLICK HERE for the Kahn Academy Website
