On 4/15/2017, the Connect Foundation, an organization translating Khan Academy into Korean, held an opening ceremony with 131 mathematics teachers selected to participate in a new Khan Academy school adoption program. These teachers, known as Khan Academy Leaders (Leaders), plan to spread new methods of teaching mathematics using Khan Academy content.
From pioneering teachers in smart education to teachers in alternative schools, the Leaders shared their ideas and know-how through a four-hour workshop. The workshop included a discussion of Khan Academy math materials, pedagogical best practices, and Q & A with an experienced teacher.
“For mathematics, gaps in basic academic skills increase with each grade. In this sense, the Learning Management System (LMS) of Khan Academy is very effective in evaluating each student’s mathematics level correctly,” said Kim Hwang, a teacher in Maji Elementary School.
During the program, the Leaders shared their ambitious goals. They hope to play a role in creating a new teaching model for mathematics education in a variety of contexts, including regular classes, flipped learning, and homeschooling based on Khan Academy.
“Khan Academy is the ideal education platform, allowing students take the reins of their own learning. Even though the curriculum of Khan Academy is not the same as ours, the Leaders adapt Khan Academy content to our educational context”, said Cho Kiseung, a teacher in Gyeseong Elementary School and consultant to the Connect Foundation.
Accordingly, the Connect Foundation will give our full support to the Leaders. The Foundation will share the outcomes and accomplishments of the Leader Program case study, provide teacher training, work to improve awareness of Khan Academy, and encourage other teachers to use this resource in their classes.
• Connect Foundation
The Connect Foundation is a non-profit education foundation established by NAVER Corporation, one of the largest internet portal services in Korea, and concluded a partnership with Khan Academy in 2014.