Kahn Academy for the win!

I've just bought a new tablet: I'm taking a class in computing in the classroom and it seemed prudent for me to try using some technology in the classroom, which I'm sure will feel very awkward at first as I've spent so many years getting quite good at taking notes on paper, but as educational technology is the future (and what I want to study) here I am getting rather annoyed at my on-screen keyboard.

Anyway, what I really wanted to write about is the Kahn Academy app I downloaded for it.

The Web-OS app is clean and easy to use, giving you access to thousands of educational videos without any distraction of cat videos or ads like you'd get if you watched the videos on YouTube. Although I recommend finding yourself a quite, distraction free time an place to work thorough the videos, the magic is that you can pause, rewind, and rewatch as often as you need, and you can watch them anywhere you can get internet access.
At first I thought these videos would primarily be targeting those who either don't have access to, or have not done well in traditional educational settings, I was delighted to learn that they are being used by whole classes in public schools to tremendous effect. 

Using friendly, casual spoken English and multi-colored demonstrations, the classes start at the most basic level and take a learner through a skill tree to college level materials. The lectures are tied to interactive-feeback quizzes and live volunteer tutoring help, and all the data can be linked to a teacher dashboard. It is designed with an international, multi-cultural audience in mind.

The topics focus on the Maths and Sciences, and is transforming the way they are taught. With Kahn Academy, students can take risks, explore, and confirm mastery of each topic before moving on, avoiding the "swiss-cheese" gaps of other educational models that move a class relentlessly through material.

But, despite all these amazing possibilities, Kahn Academy doesn't have the hubris to claim it will replace classroom learning, but only that it frees up teachers and students to do the interesting, fun, group work in class, and let the lecture be done as homework. Additionally, by reducing the amount of busy work for both teachers and students, and giving the teachers detailed metrics of each students progress, time in school is spent on quality, individualized coaching.

I looked at Kahn academy a few years ago, and it was interesting then, but wow, has it come a long way. The tablet app is a wonderful was to get started, and I am excited to delve deeper into it!