iPad App Review: Khan Academy

The Khan Academy app is a helpful app that provides mobile access to the educational database compiled by Salman Khan.  Khan Academy is an online collection of video tutorials covering topics and concepts within many content areas (Math, Science, Health, Finance, Computer Science, etc.).

It is incredible how many different topics are covered in the Khan Academy database.  As a math teacher, my focus was on the quality of the mathematics tutorials, and it is really impressive.  The variety of concepts that are covered makes this app an invaluable resource for students of any age that need extra support with their mathematics courses.  Khan narrates the entire time that he is working, and many times the subtitles are included with the video.  The majority of his work is completed using a black backdrop (sometimes with a graph) and he writes with what appears to be a mouse or stylus on a computer screen.  Although it can at times get a little sloppy, the overall quality is good given the circumstances.  The mathematics he uses is sound and easy to follow along with.

When looking at some of the other content areas available it appears that some of the other material uses a similar display to the math tutorials, but many others are homemade videos with real recordings.  All of the videos are well done and provide great insight if a student was to use this as a supplement to their classroom experience.  Furthermore,  it can be a great resources for educators who need to brush up on old and forgotten material that they may be using for the first time since college.

A fun addition that I found on the app was the library of "Lebron Asks" tutorials, where Khan responds to educational questions that Lebron James asks (ex. "What is the probability I make 10 free throws in a row?") A great way to engage the audience that may not have normally used an educational resource like this.

In conclusion, I give this app a 4.5/5.  It is a phenomenal resources for students, as well as, teachers who need any support with new or old concepts in their classroom.  It is easy to use and very informative in each of the videos.  One of the only issues that arise is with the quality of the videos that Khan is writing with what appears to be a mouse on a computer.  Also, on the Khan Academy website there are practice problems that are paired with the lessons, and on the app they have not included that  reinforcement.  If they eventually include the practice to go along with the video library, this would be a perfect app for all of our students.