Fantastic to see the momentum building in the Kahn Academy.  Bill Gates jumped in a number of years ago to strongly endorse and support Kahn Academy.  As I suggested, Kahn Academy is building a fantastic user interface for mentors whether teacher, parent, fellow student or coach. This is called open source education and it’s growth is geometric…especially in parts of the world where education is golden and access to it very restricted by social stratification.

It will be fascinating to see just how fast Kahn Academy grows. We heard the assertion that they are ready to serve every classroom in the USA tomorrow.  Shortly, thereafter, Bill Gates shows up on stage. This is called underlining the capability.

Don’t be surprised if we don’t start to see metrics that link SAT and other standardized testing results with Kahn Academy performance…Then, folks will have to ask. Which is the chicken, and which is the egg. Fascinating times ! As previously asserted, the potential for dramatic change in education is at hand. Any significant disruption in the status quo is very likely to catalyze such a change. 

Perhaps, SQE could explore becoming an official mentoring partner of the Kahn Academy ? Kahn and SQE share several similar objectives and principles. Why not partner ?.  I might even suggest that Bill Gates charitable corporation might support some of SQE’s projects as well. .

The irony? The grade 12 math teacher, is using Khan Academy for the how-tos, since the grade 12 textbook does not provide the how-tos. When I saw the textbook, I told my 17 year old, start using Khan Academy. When classes formally started this year, she came home, and said, “Guess what Mom, my eyes nearly popped out of my head, when Khan Academy came onto the smart board.”

Apparently, it will be part of the regular routine, since the grade 12 math text book does not provide the how-tos or even explain the math terms.

What does that say about the current math curriculum being used across the country? Not much…..

It’s good to know that there are people like Mr. Khan out there.  He’s perfectly willing to help all students achieve.  Hey, the Khan Academy will be there for students when all of this labour unrest begins—unlike when my children were in school.  I wonder if I would have sent them back to school if these online courses were available back then.  hmmm…

Earlier tonight, my 17 year mumbled as she was goint up the stair case, “Thank God, for Khan Academy.”

Later into the night, I finished downloading the free grade 12 texts, in PDF format, on Physics, Writing, Calculus, Chemistry.

For Physics and Calculus: need the e-texts since the high school textbooks don’t provide examples, or detailed explanations on terms.

Writing - some really good stuff on the how-tos, to which the new English teacher fresh out of grade 8, told the grade 12 students she is not bothering with the how-tos. They are suppose to know them.

Chemistry - only exception - just got it for extra practice and studying for exams.

Perhaps Bev, you may not have send your kids back, but 2012, whole new ball game. At the moment, my 17 year old, could conceivable take all her courses on-line, mosey down to the school to take gym or attend after school activities or hand in assignments, without ever taking off her jammy pants. But she would still need all that great help and resources on the web, because the school curriculum is the pits, and poorly designed. .