Most of good teaching is not about well delivered lectures or clearly explained examples. Cookie cutter youtube lectures are just another resource.<p>The evidence suggests that its individualized instruction in a structured environment with clear expectations that is best -- of course you cannot scale this, but clever videos are no substitute.<p>The Khan Academy's audience tend to be good students-those who would thrive in any number of environments. Im not worried about these students.<p>Its the students who might have been great had they been exposed to a better environment that worry me. For this it takes good teachers and a system that attracts them to the field (which the current system does not).
The Khan Academy is such a beautiful idea. I can't wait to see if they try any new, whacky stuff at the brick & mortar school.<p>I wonder why people aren't trying to shut this down? Seems like "big education" companies would be making moves to squash the success of KA. Why buy a $300 textbook (like I just had to recently) on Meteorology when you can watch some YouTube videos?<p>It'll be interesting to see if this starts happening...I hope not, but at some point you have to imagine that bigger, older companies will try to step in.
Is anyone from Khan here? Are you guys aware of Sugata Mitra's work?<p>Mitra has developed and proven a methodology for teaching children in-person using small groups and computers.<p>Mitra + Khan makes me jump out of my seat.<p>Here is an incredible introduction to Mitra's work : <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/sugata_mitra_the_child_driven_education.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/sugata_mitra_the_child_driven_educa...</a>