About Our Pilot
In Los Altos School District, we are constantly striving to improve instruction to meet the needs of all learners and prepare all K-8 students to thrive in our rapidly changing global community. In the continual quest to improve instruction, we are investigating new instructional delivery models and are currently piloting the use of Khan Academy as a hybrid-learning model in a few math classes across the district (two 5th grade classes, and two 7th grade pre-algebra readiness classes). In our pilot, Khan Academy is being utilized as a complement to our current math program.
The Khan Academy is a not-for-profit with the mission of providing a world-class education to anyone, anywhere. It currently consists of over 1800 videos covering content in math and science one concept at a time. Concepts are arranged on a “Knowledge Map” which builds from the most basic mathematical concept to more complex concepts covered in high school calculus. Each concept is presented in digestible 10-15 minute video segments followed by practice exercises and tutorials. The software suggests next steps for students and provides teachers with a wealth of individualized student data on both concepts mastered and areas of struggle. With the use of Khan Academy as a hybrid-learning model, students are able to work through new material at their own pace during a portion of every math class. Teachers are able to use the data generated through Khan Academy to group students according to their instructional need and provide targeted math instruction.
Piloting Khan Academy provides us a unique opportunity to explore 21st century learning with our students by leveraging technology to differentiate instruction to meet the individualized learning needs of all students. We are fortunate to have formed a phenomenal partnership with Khan Academy and are excited by the potential differentiated learning opportunities for students that will develop as a result of this partnership.
January 10th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
I tutor a student, and I tell her (and her parents) to use Khan before paying me for tutoring. I use the “coach” feature to monitor her progress with the online exercises. It gives my tutoring lots of leverage.
I think that using the Khan Academy program gives school boards a way to increase the cost-effectiveness of their education delivery.
February 24th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people think about worries that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
March 24th, 2011 at 6:59 pm
I just started using Khan for my pre-algebra and algebra 1 class for 7/8 graders. How is Los Altos giving grades for students using Khan? I’ve given my students a list of what practice exercises I want them to become proficient at. I’m trying to figure out how to convert this to a grade. Any ideas?
March 31st, 2011 at 9:35 pm
Though I’m only offering extra credit for Khan Academy, what I ask my Algebra students to do is to get a Streak of 25 on a module in order to earn that extra credit. Though the site declares proficiency once a student gets a Streak of 10, I feel that a Streak of 25 greatly reduces the element of chance. You could augment this, perhaps requiring higher streaks for easier subjects (basic arithmetic, etc.) and lower streaks for more difficult subjects (solving systems of equations, etc.), but you get the picture.
April 1st, 2011 at 9:24 pm
Great idea Thomas. Will do for my students.
April 2nd, 2011 at 2:20 am
In fifth grade, we are using their goal cards with their weekly reflections as a way to include Khan Academy in the gradebook. We are also including an effort grade for the time spent outside of the classroom on the site. In the future, we will include a “Khan Academy” notebook that each student will have to track all of their work, along with those goals and reflections. This notebook will be turned in every two to three weeks and given a grade. At least that’s the plan for now. We may get more ideas for including the “required” grading piece as we go. I also like the extra credit idea. Thanks!
April 21st, 2011 at 11:45 am
Grading? If you rely completely on the system you give every student that finishes all the exercises, the best grade possible, since he is 100% proficient. If you can’t do that for whatever reason, print out the practice problems, and take a test.
About 8 vs 28 streak: Yes, in a way this reduces the element of chance greatly, but not the way you think. It will raise time per exercise and frustration significantly (try it out yourself). Also it will be perceived to be a lot more boring. What khanacademy currently does not do is repetition.
May 28th, 2011 at 4:00 am
I am an Algebra teacher teaching a section of repreat Algebra (students that have not really passed 8th grade, but are moved ahead anyway.) My principal has approved me into piloting a test program for my own class. I was wondering if I could get any advice on potential pitfalls that I may face, since I have not implemented the program before.
I will see my students an hour and a half a day. I figured we would spend half the time on Khan (doing individual, groups, watching videos, making our own tutorial vidoes, etc) I would like to spend the other half using hands on math concepts to reinforce the material as well as cover material that the modules do not go into.
Do you have any advice that you wish you would have known before you piloted the program?
June 2nd, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Re. Grading…..printing problems for the traditional prove-it-to-me test is a great idea. Perhaps a way to manage this with individual progression would be for the students to complete paper quizzes after 3-5 modules. In addition, KA increases efficiency leaving much more room on a weekly basis for completing collaborative problem solving from resources such as mathalicious. What I’d like to see are Personal Learning Networks designed around the creation of grade-appropriate “real life/relevant” problems……ie. Last week in 7th grade we did an experiment on vital lung capacity in teenagers and extended the lesson into math with unit conversions and theorizing on volumes of air moved in and out of lungs over minutes, hours, days, years, lifetimes, etc….also graphing opportunities, data collection, infographic opps. To be honest, it’s very difficult to do these types of projects with a traditional text-based design. ALSO, have students create their own video lessons for a grade…..project based approach. ALSO ALSO, farm out older kids who are progressing rapidly to younger kids even outside of the class. This is a help to teachers, learners and the student-teachers….they should receive credit for this.
July 13th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
I have experimented with a similar approach here at Monterey High. I would love to talk with someone about this program.
I am teaching Algebra Two and Math Analysis and I give the students a list of topics they need to know (like your ‘concept map’ that is linked to Kahn-like videos I have made for my students. It is great when students are absent, or need extra help or are studying for a big test.
My website is drmikedcook.com and my YouTube channel is drmikedcook.
July 15th, 2011 at 6:17 am
Hi,
My daughter finished her 4th grade. As she gets into 5th grade, I would like to use this. Can anyone points me to what to start with and what path to follow? In another words, where I can find right exercises? Also What should be order to follow? Please feel free to let me know through my email address of pankaj@pparekh.com
August 11th, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Hello,
What an exciting project! I am a middle school math teacher in Washington and we too will be using Khan Academy as a supplement to our existing curriculum this year. We will be implementing this in grades 6 – 8.
I am very excited about the opportunities Khan offers for identifying students’ needs and being able to group them accordingly for targeted instruction.
I do have a question — have you found a way to use Khan Academy specifically for instruction, rather than for diagnostic purposes?
Thank you,
Kimberly Davis
7th Grade Mathematics
McMurray Middle School
Vashon, WA
August 17th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
Has the Khan Academy been evaluated? If so, by whom?
September 10th, 2011 at 11:26 pm
Kimberly,
check out this post by a teacher who has been using it:
http://www.matthewmccrea.com/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-ka-student/
Let us know if you find it useful.
September 13th, 2011 at 9:22 pm
Thank you for your posts! They are full of great information. I do have
some questions:
1) How do I add multiple classes under the same coach?
2) Do you know if there is a complete list of the math modules and their descriptions and/or example problems, other than the mind map?
Many thanks!
October 18th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
I need help printing the reports available on Khan Academy. Please help!
November 3rd, 2011 at 5:26 pm
Does anyone know how I can print the math concept map on Khan or has anyone retyped the concepts? We would like to give it to parents/students with suggested activities?