John Resig joins the Khan Academy

Post by pbreit » Wed, May 04, 2011, 3:38 AM UTC

nhebb wrote: post #43

I'm happy for John, and this is great news for the Khan Academy. But I have to admit my reaction was mixed about his initial plans to focus on the iPad. On one hand, this is tantamount to saying you want to ensure that rich kids have better access to educational materials. Relative to the rest of society, children of parents who can afford an iPad are probably the least needy re educational tools. On the other hand,…

Post by pbreit » Wed, May 04, 2011, 4:57 AM UTC

kamaal wrote: post #62

pbreit wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't understand this point of view. I question the assumption that iPads are primarily devices of the wealthy. We're talking about $500 for a lifetime of learning, not thousands of dollars. And the portability and durability of iPads makes them easily rentable and transferable.

We must leave the obsession with the iPad aside for a moment. The whole idea is to deliver educational content through a hand held device. The thing here is there are many parameters attached to it. First is the device, then the content delivery itself has a cost(Internet subscription et al) then the maintenance of devices etc. So the cost of the device is not the only thing. There are many incremental costs. Most of…

Post by petercooper » Wed, May 04, 2011, 6:24 AM UTC

kamaal wrote: post #62

pbreit wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't understand this point of view. I question the assumption that iPads are primarily devices of the wealthy. We're talking about $500 for a lifetime of learning, not thousands of dollars. And the portability and durability of iPads makes them easily rentable and transferable.

We must leave the obsession with the iPad aside for a moment. The whole idea is to deliver educational content through a hand held device. The thing here is there are many parameters attached to it. First is the device, then the content delivery itself has a cost(Internet subscription et al) then the maintenance of devices etc. So the cost of the device is not the only thing. There are many incremental costs. Most of…

Post by rtaycher » Wed, May 04, 2011, 6:28 AM UTC

ig1 wrote: post #44

nhebb wrote: post #43

I'm happy for John, and this is great news for the Khan Academy. But I have to admit my reaction was mixed about his initial plans to focus on the iPad. On one hand, this is tantamount to saying you want to ensure that rich kids have better access to educational materials. Relative to the rest of society, children of parents who can afford an iPad are probably the least needy re educational tools. On the other hand,…

You don't plan for today, you plan for five years down the line. Tablet computers are likely to become as ubiquitous as desktops or laptops, it's purely a matter of time. Tablets are a much more useable form factor in classrooms, etc.

Post by aik » Wed, May 04, 2011, 12:17 PM UTC

evilduck wrote: post #50

aik wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's great. When you say "this method", could you explain what you mean? How does it have vast implications for your work? In addition, I agree that it will make a great impact in the future. However isn't labeling it as "THE future" is going a little too far for now anyway? I would like to see a study on the type of person this type of study works for. If I'm not mistaken, it's not everyone?

I think "this method" is letting people absorb the main lecture/explanation at their own pace, freeing up teachers to focus on one on one assistance, identifying people who are struggling, focusing classes on mastery instead of minimum level competence (C students pass, but obviously have knowledge gaps), etc.