Yes, the Khan Academy IS the Future of Education."
Then:
There are no guarantees, of course.
Maybe, then, it's time to pull back on the hype machine for Khan Academy. I've used it before, and it's wonderful as a student aid, but it basically boils down to free instructional videos. It's a great help, but it's hardly the revolution that the headline makes it out to be.
Bingo. Dismissing Khan Academy because it's currently mostly known for videos is just as dangerous as dismissing any tiny HN startup that's focusing on a core idea and, once lessons are learned, iterating from there.
We're not arrogant enough to think we'll start out by building a generic AI solution to education.
We do know that we have a) a lot of video content that students are constantly watching, b) dynamically generated math exercises that students use to practice every day, and c) some very encouraging in-school pilot programs.
We're using those experiences to learn and expand. The YouTube video linked in the article shows the edges of our progress so far.
Could you expand on what the in-school pilot programs are? In what way are the encouraging? What types of schools are you piloting in? Public?
I haven't yet seen much effective use of technology in the learning environment that touches anything but the periphery of the formal educational experience. I'd be excited to hear about something better going on!
Brief summary: Los Altos school district, 5th and 8th grade classes using KA as the primary tool for math curriculum, being compared to other 5th and 8th grade classes in the same school district (those not using KA). Lots of freedom given to teachers to experiment w/ various KA use. Sal, Shantanu, Jason, and I have been regularly visiting classes to watch students and teachers use KA. Feedback has been invaluable.
Then:
There are no guarantees, of course.
Maybe, then, it's time to pull back on the hype machine for Khan Academy. I've used it before, and it's wonderful as a student aid, but it basically boils down to free instructional videos. It's a great help, but it's hardly the revolution that the headline makes it out to be.