How many of you have ever looked up a video on YouTube that was related to your coursework? Maybe it was a short lesson on formal proofs using induction or it was a full lecture about linear algebra. You were probably studying for a test or exam. Chances are that you probably missed that lecture or were hoping that a different perspective could help you understand the material.
From my experience, I know that sitting in lecture trying to scribble down everything AND trying to understand what the instructor is saying doesn't work. It's hard to do both tasks simultaneously – humans aren't very good at multitasking (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95256794)! Instead, I try to just absorb the content and look at the notes that instructors post on Blackboard. More often that not, this method works. However, sometimes it's not enough because the material is really complex. This is when I turn to YouTube and utilize the power of the online classroom.
I'm sure many of you have heard of Khan Academy or PatrickJMT (if not, you should definitely check out their videos on YouTube). These are just two examples of people that have revolutionized education in the computer age. Not only have they made education more accessible, they have also empowered students. Recently the founder of Khan Academy, Sal Khan, was invited to give a TED talk about how he went from being a hedge fund analyst with 3 degrees from MIT and an MBA from Harvard to pioneering the Khan Academy. The video can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM95HHI4gLk
According to the TED video (these statistics are slightly dated), there are approximately 2200 videos online. Topics covered range from basic arithmetic to vector calculus. Most importantly, about 1 million students use the website every month, and between 100,000-200,000 videos are watched daily. This just goes to show how powerful the Internet is. These videos basically review important concepts that are commonly encountered at university. Students find these videos extremely helpful, because they allow students to learn at their own pace. A student can return to the video a number of times until he/she masters the concept – something not possible in a classroom.
The idea that substantial learning can occur outside the classroom is becoming more of a reality. Computers and the Internet are at the forefront of this movement, and have had a huge impact on the notion of “the online classroom”. Online courses are now offered at many universities around the world. Computers have affected a number of industries. ATMs have replaced bank tellers. Online travel services have replaced travel agents. These are just some examples. In my opinion, teachers are definitely irreplaceable, but the works of Khan Academy are definitely valuable tools and resources. It's no surprise that Bill Gates and Eric Schmidt have donated millions of dollars to the development of Khan Academy!
What are your experiences with online learning? Any thoughts?
The full article about Khan Academy can be read here:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57395106-93/tech-giants-back-effort-to-revolutionize-teaching/
I've never tried looking at any online videos to learn things from my courses - except for my video class where I have to write an essay about an artist whose uses video as his media.
ReplyDeleteI do, however, go to online tutorials on how to use certain software such as Maya or video/sound editing software (I'm also a visual arts student).
There is this one time though, that I tried to use online video to learn a math concept but it took hours for me to find the right one, and when I did find it, not all the concepts that is needed for the curriculum is touched upon; and there are other concepts that it talked about which I didn't need. So it was more of a hassle for me, than of help.
-hikari-reizumi.livejournal.com
I know exactly what you mean. I've had some difficulty finding relevant information when searching for course material. But more often than not, I've found some great tutorials and video explanations.
ReplyDeleteThe tutorials for software programs are fantastic for many of the commonly used programs (e.g. Flash, PhotoShop, Premiere etc). The same goes for programming languages (e.g Python, Java, C etc.) The point I was trying to make is that learning is something that is not restricted to a classroom, and that knowledge is far more accessible these days, thanks to the Internet!
OMG Khan Academy has gotten me through 3 years of a Math major... I've seen the ted talk as well, and I really like the idea of studying at your own pace. Everyone has a different style of learning and a different pace too. I absolutely love the fact that you can pause a video and play back parts. There have been so many times in class where I've completely lost track of the Prof, and I'm clueless for the rest of the class.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Khan Academy for the win!! :D
I feel the same way. Khan Academy had a huge impact on how I performed in MAT137. Not only is studying at your own pace important, but you can apply the information immediately. Whereas in a lecture, you're only writing notes and trying to understand. It's never applied in the moment.
DeleteOnline learning is definitely changing education as we know it, it is taking off the restrictions of learning in the classroom, making it more accessible to anyone. I have used videos in Youtube to learn important concepts ranging from encapsulation in Java to labour theory in Economics. There's a wealth of information online, and I find it very helpful not just for school but for other things such as recipes!
ReplyDeletehttp://panesarj.blogspot.com
You're totally right! It doesn't only apply to Math and Science courses. Like you mentioned, you use it for recipes. I think the increase of online learning is definitely helping mobilize and expand knowledge.
DeleteThe Khan Academy videos are definitely helpful. I find that he explains topics in a thorough and down-to-earth way, which may even be too slow at times. However, this is better than when professors, each with their own styles of speaking, teaching, and understanding, bombard students with information and expect them to absorb them despite communication barriers.
ReplyDeleteOf course, everyone has their own pace and style of learning. The important thing is that these videos are providing people with different ways to understand complicated material. I think that sometimes, course instructors are helpless; they are required to cover a certain amount of material every term. In order to remain on schedule, it's inevitable that sometimes things are rushed whereas others are explained in depth.
DeleteI hadnt been introduced to Khan academy since this year, but I know for sure that if it werent for PatrickJMT, I wouldnt have survived any of my calculus courses. Online learning is a very good help tool for any student, but can online learning replace in-class learning in the future? In my opinion, learning is more about collaboration and less about knowledge, interaction with others is key to successful learning. Although watching the videos helped me a lot, I needed that interaction with the professor and my classmates more.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Online learning shouldn't (and probably will not) replace conventional classroom teaching. Interaction and a physical presence definitely adds to the environment - both of which are crucial to a solid understanding and learning experience.
Deletepatrickjmt has the best math videos on the net, period. (khan's are good too though!)
ReplyDelete