Last Updated on October, 2024
A FREE, world-class education for anyone anywhere?
Yes. Khan Academy cares about you. That’s why they offer a wide range of subjects and courses for free! You can benefit a lot from them because they teach with passion.
However, after reading some customer testimonials in Trustpilot, I understood that not everyone welcomes Khan Academy due to some drawbacks. I decided to spare some time to study them to see if they benefit students.
Keep reading to have a better understanding of Khan Academy!
Easiness
Effectiveness
Price
Contents
About Khan Academy
Khan Academy is an online learning platform that believes everyone deserves access to quality education anywhere and anytime. Founded by Sal Khan, a passionate educator, the platform offers FREE lessons in various subjects.
Sal Khan’s friendly videos make complex topics easy to understand, and you can practice what you learn with interactive exercises. So, whether you’re a student, teacher, or lifelong learner, Khan Academy provides a personalized learning experience.
The goal? It is to EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS of all ages and backgrounds to master new skills and achieve their educational goals. You can join millions of learners globally and explore a world of knowledge at your own pace, all for free!
What Subjects Does Khan Academy Cover?
| Subject | Grade Levels | Courses/Topics |
| Math-Pre-K 8th Grade | Kindergarten to 8th grade | Early math review, math for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade |
| Math High School & College | High school and college | Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Integrated math 1, Integrated math 2, Integrated math 3, Algebra basics, Trigonometry, Precalculus, and more |
| Math: Get Ready Courses | 3rd grade to 8th grade | Get ready for 3rd-8th grade math, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus, AP® Calculus, and AP® Statistics |
| Reading & Language Arts | Up to 9th grade | Grammar, Reading & Language Arts courses for 2nd to 9th grade |
| Life Skills | Social & emotional learning, AI for education, etc. | Financial literacy, Internet safety, Social media literacy, Growth mindset, College admissions, Careers, and Personal Finance |
| Science | Middle school and high school | Biology, Earth and space science, Physics, AP® Biology, AP® Chemistry, AP® Environmental Science, AP® Physics, Health and medicine |
| Test Prep | Digital SAT, LAST, Praxis Core, MCAT, PISA test | |
| Computing | Ap® Computer Science Principles, Pixar in a Box, and various computing courses | |
| Arts & Humanities | AP® US History, US government and civics, World History Project, Big History Project, AP® Art History, Various Arts & Humanities courses | |
| Economics | AP® Macroeconomics, AP® Microeconomics, Various economics courses | |
| Partner Courses | Asian Art, Biodiversity, Music, NAS (Not otherwise specified) |
Now, I’ll discuss this in detail for a more profound idea.
Khan Academy covers various subjects, following the formal curriculum for different grade levels. You can find math, economics, finance, science, engineering, computing, arts, humanities, test prep, college prep, career prep, and English language arts courses.
The platform offers specific courses within each topic, such as Precalculus, US history, and LAST prep. There is no limit to the number of courses you can take.
Khan Academy also provides materials for young learners aged 2 to 7 through a mobile app called Khan Academy Kids, which is available on iPhone, iPad, and Android.
For primary school students, English language arts and math courses align with school years, like Second Grade Math. Plus, Khan Academy offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses for high school students to earn college credit.
The platform includes coding courses with introductory HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and video game development lessons. However, the coding content is relatively limited compared to dedicated coding courses.
Khan Academy encourages student participation through discussion forums, accessible with an active, verified account. While there is no live phone chat, the support page provides resources for learners and parents, including computer tips and tricks.
If you want to explore coding beyond the introductory classes, I recommend alternatives like Treehouse and Codecademy for paid and free coding education.
How Does Khan Academy Work?
Khan Academy uses videos, short readings, quizzes, and comment threads to teach various subjects. When you join a course, you get access to all the materials in that course, presented in a specific order.
Courses are made up of units that have lessons containing videos, readings, and quizzes. The order of lessons is essential in subjects like math, where you must build foundational skills before moving on. However, if you already know something, you can skip ahead.
Plus, the term ‘course’ in Khan Academy might be debated because it refers to a collection of learning materials. Some courses have instructors who respond to comments, but you don’t get a dedicated instructor for personal attention.
Remember! There are no formal classmates or a set timeline – it’s self-paced. In subjects like AP courses or test prep, Khan Academy is more like a book than a traditional class.
Like using an SAT prep book to learn strategies and see example questions, Khan Academy provides an accessible and interactive study method.
Khan Academy Instructors
Sal Khan is the founder and has been a primary instructor through the platform’s videos. It’s important to note that Khan Academy covers many subjects and topics.
In addition to Sal Khan, the platform includes content created by other educators and experts in specific fields. These contributors are often specialists in their respective subjects.
For a comprehensive and up-to-date list of instructors or contributors, visiting the Khan Academy website directly or checking their official announcements is recommended.
The platform may collaborate with various educators and professionals to enhance the diversity and expertise of the educational content provided.
Price and Availability
TRUST ME. Khan Academy is free; you can access its lessons without making an account or signing in. It’s a nonprofit organization that aims to provide a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere!
If you create an account and log in, EXTRA FEATURES are available. You can keep track of your progress in various courses. Plus, you can share your learning history with a teacher, tutor, or parent, allowing them to assign challenges or assignments to you.
This will make your learning experience even more interactive and personalized.
The Learning Experience
How good the learning experience is depends on what you’re learning and who is teaching it. Isn’t it?
I’ll cover this in short.
The person who started the site, Sal Khan, uses a virtual blackboard. He talks about things while writing notes on the blackboard. For example, he explains the difference between a traditional IRA account and a Roth IRA.
He also writes down numbers to show how much is in each account, like the primary investments, the interest they earn, and how much someone would pay in taxes or fees if they take money out early.
It’s like having a teacher and a blackboard, but you don’t see the teacher in person. The way Sal Khan talks is friendly and transparent.
He often repeats what he says while writing it down. Some people might find this boring, but others might like it because it gives them time to understand the information. However, only some of the lessons are taught by Sal Khan!
In a personal finance course, for example, there are materials from other people, too. There is text and two short videos from Better Money Habits. These videos feel more like commercials, but they are not trying to sell anything.
GUESS WHAT? Sal Khan is good at explaining economy and math because he was a financial analyst. But Khan Academy asks other experts to help regarding subjects like history and arts.
For instance, there’s a lesson about Islamic Arts made by ‘The British Museum,’ another by TED-Ed, and another by UNESCO.
Khan Academy made some videos with the help of experts who know a lot about the topic!
If you think what I’ve shared here is insufficient, I’ll cover some customer testimonials, too. (Don’t skip them). However, before that, I’ll discuss the most exciting part of Khan Academy.
Khan Academy’s Quizzes and Gamification
Do you know? Your progress is tracked as you work through the material on the site. The side monitors the time you spend watching video lessons and reading texts and records your quiz scores.
You can also earn mastery points and badges for reaching different milestones in your learning journey. Courses may not ALWAYS have quizzes, but those that do contain various questions.
For example, if you take a short quiz on the same day, you’re almost sure not to reencounter the same questions. Understood?
Customer Testimonials
Khan Academy tries to provide EXCELLENT service like many other online platforms. However, based on customer reviews on Trustpilot, it appears that satisfaction levels among registered students vary.
Some express high satisfaction, while others report experiencing disappointment. I’ll share a few random reviews with you.
I am using the Portguese version of Khan which is funnily enough funded by the company I work for, but I’m using it for my personal use, and it has been an amazing journey so far I’ve learned so much, it’s making my long-term goals seem reachable so I’ve to thank that platform for that.
Druidit Beau has given a five-star review, expressing his satisfaction. He mentions that even though Khan Academy is funded by his company, he is using it for personal purposes and has benefited a lot from it.
The English Language Arts videos are the absolute best! The math instructions are just as engaging. But not everyone embraces common core math. Throw in some videos of traditional math, and Khan would probably be one of the best!
Robertcarry has given 4 stars, stating that English language videos are good and also include traditional math content. However, he mentions not everyone embraces Common Core math.
Sneakily putting westist agenda into our education is how they plan to make this generation weaker and more aligned with a liberalist view of the world, including “Gender equality”, “BLM”, “LGBTQ”.
Hafiz shares his disappointment, stating that Khan Academy is promoting the West’s agenda in education. He specifically mentions the liberal views Khan Academy tries to impose on students, including LGBTQ+ issues.
However, if you’re looking for a more satisfying platform, I’ve researched and shortlisted some alternatives for you. Read the following section to get a better understanding.
Khan Academy Alternatives
The following are my favorite alternatives when it comes to education platforms! (Read carefully).
Coursera
This is my first choice. Coursera is an online education platform that collaborates with top Universities and organizations worldwide.
It offers an extensive array of courses. Coursera stands out for its commitment to providing high-quality, University-style classes accessible to learners globally.
With Coursera, you can EXPLORE diverse subjects from business and technology to humanities and beyond.
The platform’s UNIQUE partnership enables you to earn certificates and even degrees, validating your approach to learning, including video lectures, quizzes, and intricate assignments, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of each topic.
Listen, Coursera’s user-friendly platform empowers learners at all levels, whether you ASPIRE to advance your career or pursue personal interests. To learn more about their courses and fees, check out their website!
Udemy
Udemy is another excellent alternative. It offers you self-paced learning. It’s an expensive online marketplace designed for learners of all levels.
Udemy is famous for its open platform, where instructors from various industries offer courses on a wide range of subjects.
Whether you’re interested in coding, graphic design, business, or professional development, Udemy provides diverse courses to suit your goals.
One of Udemy’s notable features is lifetime access to purchased courses.
The flexibility allows learners to revisit materials conveniently, reinforcing their understanding. The platform’s user-friendly interface and frequent discounts make Udemy a preferred choice for those seeking a customizable and affordable learning experience.
You can EXPLORE Udemy’s vast library, pick and choose courses that align with your interests, and embark on a self-detected learning journey that adapts to your schedule and aspirations.
Skillshare is my last, but not the least, ALTERNATIVE for you. It’s a dynamic online learning platform focused on cultivating creative skills.
It distinguishes itself by offering bite-sized lessons in video tutorials, making it easy for learners to absorb information at their own pace.
This approach mainly benefits individuals interested in art, design, photography, writing, and other creative pursuits.
Skillshare’s community-driven model fosters engagement and collaboration among learners.
You can explore hands-on projects to apply your knowledge and receive peer feedback. Skillshare is committed to creativity and community and provides an interactive and vibrant learning environment.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to EXPLORE new hobbies or an experienced artist seeking to refine your skills, Skillshare invites you to join a supportive community of like-minded individuals.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Other Online Learning Platform reviews:
Conclusion
Did you find this piece helpful?
In short, Khan Academy has so much to offer you for free! You can sign in and try it once for a real-time experience. What I like about them is that they offer a wide range of free educational resources accessible to learners worldwide.
Plus, with its self-paced learning approach, interactive games and exercises, and quality content, it empowers everyone to master various subjects.
While it excels in foundational topics, potential drawbacks include limited depth in advanced subjects and lack of live interaction. However, if you’re still seeking a better OPTION, use the alternative platforms I suggested.
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