mythbusters project
This 20% project really transformed my thinking from a student's perspective to a teacher's perspective. Since I used Khan Academy as a student, I was inclined to just say that "Yeah, Khan Academy is great!!", but now that I have been enrolled in a course that has allowed me to think as a teacher, I had to step back and really think about the benefits and detriments of these websites. Also, this project taught me that there is not always a clear cut answer, as you will see with my final verdict.
For my final product, I created another newsletter. I thought that this was the most fun, and informative way to present my information rather than just a boring paper. Click here for a link to my newsletter! Honestly, there were no real difficulties in regards to my project. The only difficulty I can think of is the use of new technology, such as weebly. But even with that, I found it fun to explore this new use of technology.
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So, let me update you on my 20% project. Currently, I have read articles that sing the praises of Khan Academy and on the other hand, I have read articles that point out the flaws of Khan Academy. Through reading these articles, I have learned that both sides have solid arguments. On the positive side, Khan Academy is a great to use to back up the traditional classroom. However, on the other hand, Khan Academy videos are not being created by a skilled teacher, which allows for some flaw in the videos that then translates to the students who are watching them. Basically, it is a toss up at this moment. I still have no idea what side I am going to choose; I guess you will have to keep checking my blog to find that out!
In order to choose a side, I think it would be beneficial of me to keep reading more about the pros and cons of Khan Academy. I plan to do this by following the same structure I have been. Online publications, Google Scholar, and things of that nature have really valuable articles that will help me to learn more about Khan Academy, whether it is good or bad. The more I read up on this topic, the easier it will be for me to write a final report on whatever side I choose. Recall that my original research question is: Is Khan Academy (and other related websites) really beneficial to students, and should it be incorporated in the classroom more? I believe that I am still on track with that research question and eventually will come up with an answer. Therefore, at this point, no adjustments need to be made. The only thing that needs to happen is more research from credible resources. For future researchers, there are many places that my topic can be taken to. For one, if I conclude that Khan Academy is really beneficial, then future students can research what is the most effective way for students to use these type of websites. However, if I conclude that Khan Academy is not beneficial for students, then future students can research what teachers can do in the classroom and outside of the classroom that can prevent students from using Khan Academy and other related websites. All in all, my 20% project is waiting on me to make a decision. Keep reading this blog post to see another reason either for or against Khan Academy (it is all apart of my decision making process, I promise.) When I used the UGA library online database to research my topic, I was pleasantly surprised. This is because they had many, many articles related to my topic. These articles had what I was looking for in regards to Khan Academy and the classroom. Nothing surprised me because just like when I Google Khan Academy, when I searched Khan Academy on UGA’s database, only positive articles come up. In order to find the negative outlook on Khan Academy, I have to specifically put in “Khan Academy + Cons” or something of that nature. The article I chose to do a summary on for this blog post focuses on how Khan Academy can positively be used in the classroom. This article talks about a “flipped classroom”. A flipped classroom allows for online instruction at home that will free up class time for learning. Basically, students would go home and watch a Khan Academy video over a topic that has yet to be taught in class. Then, the next day in class, the teacher would administer an activity related to that topic instead of teaching it to them first. This allows more time for questions and activities that will back up what the student was taught via Khan Academy videos. The classroom now becomes “a place to work through problems, advance concepts, and engage in collaborative learning.” This idea of a flipped classroom maximizes on time, which has been found to be an issue in classrooms all over the world. This article goes to show that Khan Academy can be used to benefit not only the student, but the teacher as well. However, are students going to be taught a concept the right way by watching Khan Academy videos? Tucker, B. (2012). The flipped classroom. Education Next, 12(1), 82-83. |
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April 2015
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