tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236113393112417816.post5876807570188682923..comments2014-05-11T14:21:21.448-05:00Comments on Ramsey Willis' EDM510 Blog: Blog Post #3Ramsey Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17932071080982956989noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236113393112417816.post-76511114373261010242014-03-20T09:15:56.845-05:002014-03-20T09:15:56.845-05:00Dr. Strange
I realize that Bill Gates contributed...Dr. Strange<br /><br />I realize that Bill Gates contributed to Khan Academy with his own resources. But to me it seemed like an investment because his children were using Khan Academy. You contribute to ideas, products, visions that make sense to you and this did for him as it was a resource for the people he loved. My thought process in mentioning it though was to show that Gates was still a wise investor, thus reaffirming his position at the top of Microsoft.<br /><br />As far as the videos, I agree they should be used as a resource and if the teacher can direct the students where to go to find the answer and that is where they direct them, that is excellent. They are using Khan Academy as it is intended to be used. My point in that paragraph was when people are using Khan Academy in place of the teacher and they go over the videos time and time again and still don't get it, they are lost. If they don't have someone (a teacher) that can direct them to other resources, a lot of people just stay confused. The key is to teach the students early how to search out and find information for themselves instead of them just depending on you. The teacher should be a person that validates information obtained as well as be a provider of new ideas. They should not give all of the answers because then the students are learning to depend on that instead of learning the material.Ramsey Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17932071080982956989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236113393112417816.post-92098513067743822742014-03-20T06:30:45.601-05:002014-03-20T06:30:45.601-05:00"Also, isn’t it in Gates’ best interest to pr..."Also, isn’t it in Gates’ best interest to promote Khan Academy if he wants to make such a large investment in a business?...it still looks good for all of the Microsoft shareholders, ..." The Academy is non-profit. Gates made a large contribution rather than an investment to seek some personal benefit. He did it with his personal fortune, not with the resources of Microsoft.<br /><br />"The videos can only provide so much but a teacher can provide answer after answer after answer and if they don’t have the answer, can direct the student where to go to find the answer. " Isn't it better to teach how to find the answer rather than to "provide" the answer?<br /><br />Interesting. Thorough. John Hadley Strangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17484977903995419205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236113393112417816.post-91660962059267640732014-03-06T20:44:41.966-06:002014-03-06T20:44:41.966-06:00Hi Angel
Yes, I used Khan Academy before personal...Hi Angel<br /><br />Yes, I used Khan Academy before personally as a refresher for the Math Praxis but the level of content was much lower than what I needed so it wasn't very useful for me. I haven't created a personal profile yet and am not ready to just yet. I'm still feeling it out. Thank you for the comment. I know the post was long but I try to be thorough.Ramsey Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17932071080982956989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236113393112417816.post-54424386551459450482014-02-26T15:39:44.319-06:002014-02-26T15:39:44.319-06:00Your thoughts of Khan Academy fall in line with mi...Your thoughts of Khan Academy fall in line with mine after having read reviews of both proponents and critics. Many of the critics feel the videos lack structure and pedagogy, but yet give credit for the instructional videos being useful as a resource. Like yourself, I agree the resources should be used to supplement content, provide extra practice, or even provide alternate methods for arriving at a solution, but not as an isolated tool for understanding content. I can see where clicking on hints just to arrive at the answer might subtract from what a user could learn, but I feel the hints would be helpful for students who are very reluctant to learn math, especially younger students. Have you created a personal profile on the site, and have you used the site before this assignment? If so, did you use it for your own personal benefit, or to help students? Good job formulating your thoughts!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01720368299975546666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236113393112417816.post-44717344628215611762014-02-26T13:57:41.919-06:002014-02-26T13:57:41.919-06:00You have written a very thorough article Ramsey. ...You have written a very thorough article Ramsey. As a former math teacher and mother of a 12 year old in pre-algebra, I completely understand your comments about Khan Academy teaching only one method to reach a solution. When tutoring my son, I always ask him to show me how his teacher worked the problem. Nine times out of ten, I would have shown him a different route, and sometimes do if he is struggling. The key with Khan Academy is using it, as you stated, as a resource. Keep the toolbox open for rotating the tools in and out!<br />Lynn GartmanAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14331907125972477498noreply@blogger.com