Khan Academy Videos: Math & Physics Lessons

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Khan Academy, a platform offering video lessons in various subjects, particularly math and physics. Participants share their experiences with the content, its effectiveness, and its applicability to different educational levels, ranging from basic arithmetic to advanced calculus and differential equations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express enthusiasm for the Khan Academy videos, highlighting their helpfulness and range of topics.
  • Several users mention the effectiveness of the videos in learning calculus and other advanced math topics, with some stating they have successfully applied the concepts learned.
  • One participant notes that while the site is excellent for foundational topics, they found the calculus content lacking in certain areas, particularly related rates and polar coordinates.
  • Another participant suggests that the videos serve as supplements rather than comprehensive university-level courses.
  • Some users recommend comparing Khan Academy videos with other resources for a more thorough understanding of calculus concepts.
  • Concerns are raised about the reliance on advertising revenue and the availability of similar content elsewhere, suggesting that while Khan Academy is valuable, it may not cover all advanced topics adequately.
  • Participants share links to other educational resources and YouTube channels that complement the Khan Academy offerings.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

While many participants agree on the overall quality and usefulness of Khan Academy, there are differing opinions regarding the depth and comprehensiveness of the content, particularly for advanced topics. The discussion reflects a mix of positive experiences and some critiques, indicating that no consensus exists on the adequacy of the material for university-level studies.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express limitations in the content coverage, particularly in advanced calculus topics, and mention the need for additional resources to fully grasp certain concepts. The discussion also highlights the varying levels of difficulty in the materials presented.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to students seeking supplementary resources for math and physics, educators looking for teaching aids, and anyone exploring online learning platforms in STEM fields.

  • #31
What a coincidence. I go to Khan Academy for the first time in 3 months, then check my CP to find that someone has posted in the KAV thread! Wow.

Also, now that Sal has greatly expanded the Multivariable Calculus section, I'm ready for the college class. With his videos, I could pass anything.
 
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  • #32
yeah it helped me through calculus with volumes
 
  • #33
  • #34
Ivan Seeking said:
The Kahn Academy just won $2 million, from Google.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGxgAHer3Ow

Bill Gates watches these videos with his kids. Kahn also won the 2009 Microsoft Education Award.
http://www.techawards.org/laureates/stories/index.php?id=220

I have a tear in my eye watching this, I'm so glad he's successful and is expanding this
project while keeping it totally free. If it wasn't for Sal I would probably not see math the
way I do after a terrible schooling. I'm so glad and wish him all the best.
 
  • #35
Holy wow! I have been using Khan Academy for YEARS and he has helped me so much. And now seeing him with the $2mil, I'm so excited to see the improvements on his site. This is great news. Thanks for sharing!
 
  • #36
Sal or who really deserves his award. Thanks to him I learned derivatives even before the vector lessons in school.
 
  • #37
I found this site yesterday and it seems helpful so far!
 
  • #38
Char. Limit said:
The videos of Salman Khan are not meant to be university-level videos that constitute a class in and of themselves, but are actually, I believe, supplements.

This is an excellent point, Char. These videos are a powerful resource to help solidify one's conceptual understanding of the topics he covers. His epsilon-delta explanation led me to an "ah-ha" moment, something for which I thirst endlessly. While not a class in and of themselves, his videos are an excellent supplement to the corresponding courses.

I really admire him as a person, and I greatly respect his efforts to make science available, and approachable, to those who can't afford a formal education.
 
  • #39
Dembadon said:
This is an excellent point, Char. These videos are a powerful resource to help solidify one's conceptual understanding of the topics he covers. His epsilon-delta explanation led me to an "ah-ha" moment, something for which I thirst endlessly. While not a class in and of themselves, his videos are an excellent supplement to the corresponding courses.

I really admire him as a person, and I greatly respect his efforts to make science available, and approachable, to those who can't afford a formal education.

Thank you Dembadon.
 
  • #40
Khan Academy is very great place for study science subject,..thank for this nice video,..
 
  • #41
Yes, people should go look at Khan's videos instead of asking basic first year physics or calculus stuff.
 
  • #42
Wow, just seeing this for the first time. Might use his videos as a good complimentary guide to the textbooks :D Probably work best hand-in-hand
 
  • #43
i found a video that helped me with simple harmonic motion because OCR don't really explain stuff in their books and khan academy dident have this specific topic
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #44
Ok, I had seen a few of his videos on youtube. Worthy of a google award for sure. Now I've seen on his site just how many he has. Is nominating for a nobel prize and/or sainthood taking it too far?
 
  • #45
His videos are really great! I tend to watch them to give me an understanding, and only afterwards look at my lessons for more formal definitions and more confusing explanations.
 
  • #46
There's a Cosmology and Astronomy section posted on the website, this was very unexpected. I hope he makes a Quantum Mechanics playlist soon.
 

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