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= **Web 2.0 Case Study: Khan Academy** =


 * Case Description**

Khan Academy is an online based teaching tool used by teachers and students of all ages.

Khan Academy is used by students to work at their own pace by using video-based teaching tools, which help them visually understand and move through the lesson.


 * Web 2.0 Tools Used**

The tools used in Khan Academy are videos, comments connecting users with others, and feedback to developers and other users. At [|www.khanacademy.com] any user can access the website internationally, from any computer, in any country.


 * Context: When, Where, Why, and Who**

Marlborough School, an all-girls school, the girls’ math teacher uses Khan Academy to teach his students not by math level but combined in one classroom. Students pay more attention to their lessons with more interest. Students gained more confidence, and students started peer tutoring with one another rather than asking their instructor. This concept makes teachers a guiding hand in the classroom to help clear any misunderstandings. Yes, Khan academy might be very helpful for various lessons but not everything can be taught from this website. Khan Academy only reviews basics of math and science, and does not go very deep into information such as graduate level and upper-level university math or science. The videos are short and to the point, but do not provide too much information. For example, students should have basic knowledge when working with science or math. One potential problem might be with the student who is taught from the beginning to learn from web-based media; when the student reaches the graduate level and there is no web 2.0 media to learn from, the student will have trouble learning from other sources of information and adjusting to other mediums of knowledge.


 * Subject and Learning Objectives**

This website started as just a video tutorial for Salman Khan’s cousins, and now he is teaching the world. This is a free web based teaching tool to help anyone with any subject. From grade school, to college, to university setting, Khan Academy has something for everyone. Khan academy is not only a teaching tool but also a reinforcing tool for anyone who wants to brush up on their algebra, or their history, or just wanting to learn something new.


 * How Web 2.0 Tools Were Used**

The website uses video blogs in order to convey information of a certain topic, whether it is about math, science, history or some other current event, there is a video for it. Users of the website are able to leave comments, opinions, and corrections for the videos and helpful tips for the web developers. When a student creates an account with Khan Academy, they are able to track their information and stop or start where they left off which is equivalent to bookmarking their location on a lesson plan. Teachers are also able to keep track of student development and create their own lessons. This not only helps teachers but also a customized learning system for teachers and their students.


 * Key Findings**

Instructors not only get their students interested in this website of learning but also students are better able to keep attention because the video spans are about ten minutes long. The website has an interactive search bar and links leading to outside sources such as YouTube; users can earn points for watching a video and working on practice routines. The website also goes as far as suggesting what to learn next. The website lets students practice for their major exams such as ACT, SAT, GMAT, competition math, and a library of 4,000 other videos. The website is an excellent source for knowledge from basics to advanced placement and still growing. The website has really used web 2.0 technologies so well that they have delivered 2.41 million lessons to date.


 * Case Evaluation**

Khan Academy is a website that uses web 2.0 technologies in every aspect of its content. The website is available to anyone and everyone from top of the society like Bill Gates, who is one of the major supporters to someone like a full-time college student, to someone living in a secluded area in a third-world county. The website is based on video learning, which is posted through YouTube. A user can comment on the videos from YouTube or from the Khan Academy website. By joining the website as a member, you have the opportunity to track your progress, show student accomplishments, connect with other users and teachers can track student progress, whether there is a hand-full of kids in a class, or thirty, it is easy for teachers and instructors to keep track of who is on track and who is falling behind.

As far as any weaknesses or improvements on the website, more detailed lessons for science would be helpful. The website speaks for itself. Everything from lesson planning, interaction, communication, and search is available and functional.


 * Bibliography**

Brear, D. (2008, February 08). //Web 2.0 tools and their educational applications//. Retrieved from []

Khan, S. (2012, June 25). //Khan academy at marlborough school//. Retrieved from []

Sironi, G. (2011, September 27). //Khan academy//. Retrieved from []