Welcome to an insightful exploration of Khan Academy’s video-based instruction, presented by Common Sense Media’s Happy Hour On Air. I’m Brian Dino, the Common Sense Media Coordinator for Colorado and Denver Public Schools. Today, we are excited to delve into how Khan Academy is transforming classrooms with the help of two exceptional educators.
Each month, Common Sense Media and Graphite host a Happy Hour to showcase top digital learning tools and their classroom applications. This session highlights Khan Academy, a free educational resource featured on Graphite, which helps teachers discover the best apps, games, and websites for learning. We invite you to join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #HappyHour to share your experiences with Khan Academy.
Our first presenter is Sunny Park, a sixth-grade math teacher at East Side College Prep School in East Palo Alto, California. Sunny, a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, shares her journey with Khan Academy.
Sunny Park has been teaching for 16 years, with 11 of those years at East Side College Prep. She joined Khan Academy’s pilot class three years ago, initially hesitant but ultimately finding it rewarding for both her and her students. Sunny emphasizes how Khan Academy helped her shift from a teacher-centered approach to one that meets the diverse needs of her students.
Sunny uses Khan Academy to differentiate instruction, starting each year with a sixth-grade mission that students commit to. Pre-assessments help identify foundational skills, and the platform’s exercises are combined with rich projects to deepen student engagement. The Khan Academy dashboard allows Sunny to monitor progress and provide targeted support, empowering students to take control of their learning.
Sunny’s classroom consists of 22 students, each with access to a laptop. While students work independently, Sunny provides support and conducts whole-group lessons when necessary. Although Khan Academy is not assigned as homework due to varying home internet access, a computer lab is available after school for additional practice.
Next, we have Peter McIntosh, a ninth-grade math teacher at Oakland Unity High School in Oakland, California. Peter is also the author of “The Character Gap,” which details his school’s transformation in math education.
Peter’s school serves primarily minority students, many of whom are first-generation college aspirants. Since integrating Khan Academy four years ago, the school has significantly improved its state rankings in algebra and geometry. Peter emphasizes student responsibility, with each student having a computer and weekly Khan Academy assignments. For students without home access, after-school sessions are encouraged to ensure all students can engage with the material.
Sunny and Peter’s experiences highlight the transformative potential of Khan Academy in fostering student-centered learning environments. For more digital learning tools, visit graphite.org for reviews and resources. Thank you for joining us today, and we hope you continue to explore innovative educational tools.
Engage in a hands-on workshop where you will explore how to use Khan Academy to differentiate instruction in your classroom. You’ll learn to set up missions, use pre-assessments, and monitor student progress effectively. This activity will help you tailor learning experiences to meet the diverse needs of your students.
Analyze a detailed case study of Sunny Park’s implementation of Khan Academy in her classroom. Discuss with peers the challenges and successes she faced, and brainstorm how you might apply similar strategies in your own teaching practice. This activity will deepen your understanding of practical applications of video-based instruction.
Join a live Twitter chat using the hashtag #HappyHour to share your experiences and insights about using Khan Academy. Engage with other educators to exchange tips and strategies for integrating digital tools into your teaching. This activity will connect you with a broader community of educators and enhance your professional network.
Design a project-based learning activity that incorporates Khan Academy resources. Collaborate with peers to create a project that encourages critical thinking and problem-solving among students. This activity will help you integrate video-based instruction with hands-on learning experiences.
Reflect on how Khan Academy can empower students to take control of their learning. Write a journal entry discussing how you can implement strategies to foster student autonomy and responsibility in your classroom. This activity will encourage you to consider the impact of digital tools on student engagement and motivation.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hello and welcome to Common Sense Media’s Happy Hour On Air, focused on Khan Academy’s video-based instruction. I’m Brian Dino, the Common Sense Media Coordinator for Colorado and Denver Public Schools, coming to you from Denver, Colorado, on this sunny Wednesday afternoon. Thank you for joining us today to learn more about Khan Academy from two fantastic educators.
Each month, we host a Happy Hour here at Graphite and Common Sense Media, where we showcase the best digital learning tools and how teachers are using them in their classrooms. Today, we’re excited to highlight Khan Academy, a great free tool that we feature on Graphite. Graphite helps teachers find the best apps, games, and websites rated for their learning potential. If you haven’t checked it out yet, please visit graphite.org. We also encourage you to join the conversation about Khan Academy on Twitter using the hashtag #HappyHour. We’d love to hear how you’re using Khan Academy in your classroom or school.
Based on the reviews on Graphite, many schools are using Khan Academy, and I’m thrilled to introduce our two presenters today. First, we have Sunny Park, a sixth-grade math teacher at East Side College Prep School in East Palo Alto, California, and a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Sunny, please introduce yourself and share a bit about your background.
Hi everyone, my name is Sunny Park. This is my 16th year teaching, and I started school last week. Time has flown by! Eleven of those years have been at East Side College Prep. About three years ago, I was invited to join Khan Academy’s pilot class. Initially hesitant, I’m so glad I took the risk, as the outcome has been incredibly rewarding for both me and my students. I’m here to share my experience and learn from others as well.
Next, we have Peter McIntosh, a ninth-grade math teacher at Oakland Unity High School in Oakland, California. He is also the author of “The Character Gap,” which describes how his school transformed its math program to boost student performance. Peter, please introduce yourself.
Thank you! I teach at Oakland Unity High School, a charter school primarily serving minority students, many of whom come from families that haven’t attended college. This is my seventh year teaching, and I joined Khan Academy about four years ago. We’ve seen great success; we moved from the bottom of the state rankings in algebra and geometry to number 11 in California. In addition to algebra, I teach geometry and AP calculus, and we will be using Khan Academy heavily in AP calculus this year.
Now that you know a bit about our speakers, we’ll start with Sunny, who will share how she uses Khan Academy with her sixth graders in East Palo Alto. Sunny, take it away!
Thank you! I want to share how my involvement with Khan Academy stemmed from a deep frustration in my teaching. I realized my classroom was too teacher-centered, and I wasn’t meeting the diverse needs of my students. When I discovered Khan Academy, I saw its potential to help me differentiate instruction and reach every student.
I’ve adopted the sixth-grade mission from Khan Academy and have my students commit to it at the beginning of the year. We discuss the challenges and responsibilities that come with this mission. I start with pre-assessments to gauge where my students are, and Khan Academy helps identify the foundational skills they need before moving on to the sixth-grade mission.
In my classroom, we combine Khan Academy exercises with rich projects from various sources. This approach allows students to apply what they learn and engage deeply with the material. I also monitor their progress through the Khan Academy dashboard, which helps me provide targeted support.
I believe Khan Academy is half of the math curriculum, empowering students to take control of their learning. They become self-aware of what they know and what they need to work on, and I’m there to support them along the way.
Brian, do you have any questions for me?
Yes, I loved your approach to starting the school year with a mission statement. Can you tell us about your classroom setup?
We have 22 students, each with access to a laptop cart. The students are responsible for their laptops, and we ensure that we have enough bandwidth to support everyone using the internet simultaneously.
Are students working independently at their levels, and how do you facilitate group instruction?
Yes, while students work independently, I circulate the room to provide support. If I notice many students struggling with a particular skill, I’ll pause and conduct a whole-group lesson. I also encourage students to communicate their needs, which helps me identify when to shift to a whole-class model.
What about home access? Do you assign Khan Academy for homework?
I don’t assign it for homework since not all students have internet access at home. However, we have a computer lab open after school for those who need extra time to work on Khan Academy.
Thank you, Sunny! Now, let’s bring in Peter to share his experience with Khan Academy.
Thank you for having me! I teach ninth grade and also work with upper grades. Many of my students face significant content gaps due to previous educational experiences. We’ve seen great success with Khan Academy, moving from low state rankings to much higher levels in algebra and geometry.
Our approach emphasizes student responsibility for their learning. Each student has a computer, and we focus on Khan Academy for our entire curriculum. We assign exercises weekly, and I spend time helping students individually during class.
We also address the issue of access by encouraging students to stay after school if they don’t have computers at home. Our goal is to ensure that all students take responsibility for their learning.
Thank you, Peter and Sunny, for sharing your insights and experiences with Khan Academy. If you’re looking for more digital learning tools, visit graphite.org for reviews and resources. Thank you all for joining us today, and have a great rest of your day!
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This version removes any informal language, filler words, and personal anecdotes while maintaining the core content and structure of the original transcript.
Khan Academy – An online educational platform offering free courses, lessons, and practice in various subjects, including mathematics. – Many students use Khan Academy to supplement their mathematics education and practice problem-solving skills.
Mathematics – The abstract science of number, quantity, and space, which can be studied in its own right or as it is applied to other disciplines such as physics and engineering. – Mathematics is a fundamental subject that underpins many areas of study and professional practice.
Education – The process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits. – Education in mathematics is crucial for developing analytical and problem-solving skills in students.
Digital Learning – The use of digital tools and technologies to enhance and facilitate learning experiences. – Digital learning platforms have transformed how students engage with mathematics education.
Instruction – The act of teaching or providing knowledge, especially in a formal setting. – Effective instruction in mathematics requires clear explanations and interactive problem-solving activities.
Students – Individuals who are engaged in learning, especially those enrolled in educational institutions. – Students often benefit from personalized feedback and support in their mathematics studies.
Engagement – The level of interest, motivation, and attention that students exhibit towards learning activities. – Increasing student engagement in mathematics can lead to better understanding and retention of concepts.
Assessment – The process of evaluating or measuring a student’s understanding and skills in a particular subject area. – Regular assessment in mathematics helps educators identify areas where students may need additional support.
Classroom – A physical or virtual space where teaching and learning take place. – The mathematics classroom should be an environment that encourages exploration and critical thinking.
Resources – Materials, tools, or services that support learning and teaching. – Teachers often use a variety of resources, such as textbooks and online tools, to enhance mathematics instruction.
