focused on economics, math, and some of the sciences, today they are offering courses from art history to computer animation (Duffy, 2012). Students will be able to access Khan Academy videos when they need assistance with their learning and from anywhere in the world. They can go at their own pace and will be able to review and playback the video’s as many times as they need to. Something they are unable to do within traditional learning environments. More recently, Khan Academy has added features that allow students who are hard of hearing or deaf to access English transcriptions or turn on subtitles. In addition students can enroll in Khan Academy classes and access “coaching” and “goal-setting” features. (Duffy, 2012)
Teachers can also use videos from Khan Academy to enhance their teaching by using Khan Academy videos to review concepts prior to teaching them. Often teachers have one way of teaching new information to their students. This does not always work for every student. Khan Academy videos can teach teachers how to teach concept more effectively. Having a “Guest” speaker come into the
classroom to enhance the everyday teaching, is a great way to motivate students. In addition, teachers can easily create links to a class wiki of Khan Academy videos. Daily assignments can be scanned and posted onto a class wiki with links to a Khan Academy video. This allows students have some instruction on a specific concept anytime/anywhere. Teachers do not have to spend a lot of time re-teaching curriculum.
Users can set up a Khan Academy account using their Facebook or Google accounts. By doing this, a record is kept of achievements, goals (still in beta form), activities, focus, skill progress and progress over time. Students can choose to “learn” from a variety of different subject areas. Teachers can set up classes so that they can manage a track the progress of each individual student. Although I have become addicted to Khan Academy, I feel like I should expand my horizons and see if there is a better OER.
Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to high quality educational materials for K-12 students all over the world. We offer free high-quality, standards-aligned, open content in the STEM subjects. By providing these free resources, CK-12 is working toward educational equity for all.”
According to their website, cK-12 is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to high quality educational materials for K-12 students all over the world. Although they claim to have resources K-12, I have only been able to find resources from 6th grade to 12th grade. It is a repository of free educational resources that range in subject areas from Math, Sciences, Technology, English and History. Units of study can be customized to meet specific state requirements (no option for Canada). Subject areas begin at grade six (as far as I can tell) and go all the way up to grade 12. Content can be read online, printed and copied or used on a variety of personal electronic devices. Although I have looked for it, I am unaware of any features that allow students who are hard of hearing or deaf to access English
transcriptions or turn on subtitles. In addition, A cK-12 Creative Commons License Agreement is provided on their website that is easy to understand. They offer content in multiple modalities, or ways a concept
can be explained, including textual descriptions, video lectures, interactive models, flashcards, quizzes,
definitional and difficulty scaffolding, concept maps, and more. There are two great features that are built into cK-12: Flexbook, studyHELP and Braingenie.
Flexbook: are an online platform for assembling, authoring, and distributing interactive, multi-modal content and fully customizable and can easily be kept up-to-date. You can rearrange the chapters or even add, remove, and edit content.
studyHelp: is a peer-to-peer social learning application allowing students to ask questions
whenever the need answers, form study groups, and explore a rich library of K-12 content. Linked into social media likefacebook.
Braingenie: builds deep mastery and sharpens problem-solving skills. Learn, practice, and quiz yourself on 5,000+ skills. Compete in real-time multiplayer matches. Win badges and go for a top spot on the leader board
As I see great benefits with both of these OER’s sites, I will be using both of them when
designing more online content for my students. Although Khan Academy meets the visual learning experience, CK12.org meets the visual, and the digital textbook experience (WEEBIT, 2011). No
matter which OER resources are chosen, it is important to remember that online learning is the future of education. According to Bill Gates, “I see four main 'flavors' of online learning: reimagining
textbooks, scaling our best teachers, connecting through social networks, and personalizing learning” (Gates, 2012).
Duffy, J. (2012, October 17). Khan academy. Retrieved from http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2397123,00.asp
Ferenstein, G. (2012, February 07). How bill gates' favorite teacher wants to disrupt education. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/1728471/how-bill-gates-favorite-teacher-wants-disrupt-education
Gates, B. (2012, March 12). the gates notes. Retrieved from http://www.thegatesnotes.com/Topics/Education/Technologys-Promise-to-Education-Reimagining-Textbooks?utm_source=Googleplus&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_term=Info&utm_content=Billgates&utm_campaign=Regalix
WEEBIT. (2011, December 08). Review of ck-12.org and khan academy. Retrieved from http://gygo.getyourgeekon.info/2011/12/review-of-ck-12-org-and-khan-academy/