There is a big issue in the education system today. Two out of every three students are not prepared for college level math courses and over half of all 4-year college students do not graduate within 6 years. These students often take on a lot of debt and can’t finish their degrees. Worst of all, they then miss out on today’s most exciting careers because they lack the skills.Government involvement in education is extremely dangerous, delivering only government biased views to students. That Khan Academy, an innovative private sector operation, is willing to team up with the White House is very bad news.
“2 out every 3 students are not prepared for college level math courses”
Given our mission to provide a free world-class education for anyone, anywhere, we’ve been hard at work to increase our college prep content. So, when the White House called (wait, did you say the White House?!) to invite Khan Academy to help students in Higher Ed reach their potential, how could we say no? We had already been creating new math and college prep materials, and saw the opportunity to make an even bigger impact by joining forces.
Today, Sal was honored to discuss our higher education efforts at the White House’s Expanding College Opportunity summit and Khan Academy launched a new college prep initiative.
You can be sure, you won't be seeing this video up at Khan anytime soon.
(ht Chris Rossini)
I see your point about government bias, but how much government bias could there be in the proof of the Pythagorean theorem?
ReplyDeleteGreat innovators. Horrible business practices. When will these businesses get that they're only dealing with the devil (government not Obama)? People have got to stop thinking government is there for people's benefits.
ReplyDeleteThey need to own what they have. This teaming up with the White House is only giving away what they own. It's the same as giving to charity. Once a person gives to a charity like dropping money into a jar, they no longer own that money. Simply, gave it up to something that they do not know not knowing what's going to happen to that cash. They need to own that donation to the end, making sure that dollar is working for what they donated it for. In other words, if you're going to do charity, you must do the work yourself or, at least, oversee the process like an owner. Own it; don't give it.
Having the White House or government in general improve your business practices or "helping", is giving away what is yours. You no longer control what you own. What a stupid move by Kahn. God gave man as an individual ownership not to be ruled or controlled.
Math and science are definitely biased in favor of government. That's why Austrian economics rejects math.
ReplyDeleteTheft and corruption are definitely biased in favor of government. That's why Austrian economics rejects theft.
DeleteThere, all fixed.
JW: Troll.
DeleteJerry, you're just desperate now. Haven't found anything else to cling to after your wife left you for and Austrian economist, huh?
DeleteThe cat is out of the bag when it comes to online education. Absent government force, why would any talented student sit in a public high school when Coursera has 500 college-level courses online for free (a small but growing number of which are eligible for college credit)? People are already beginning to withdraw their consent from the bloated, ridiculously expensive higher education system and it's only a matter of time before it collapses under its own weight.
ReplyDeleteLike every private sector innovation that starts out good, gov't must get its dirty fingers around it in an attempt to seem "with it", "cool", "competent", etc.
ReplyDeleteAnd...every time its grubby fingers touch something like this, it leaves its smear prints all over it so that the "with it", "cool", competent people eventually want nothing to do with it. Good luck in bucking the trend Kahn Academy.
I've just posted questions on Khan Academy's blog and fascism instruction video page asking: Question to ponder: How is Khan Academy joining forces with the US Government / White House not fascist in nature? How is it fascist in nature?
ReplyDeleteAlso, for those not aware, Khan Academy is more than just mathematics instruction, which is it's roots and does quite an admirable job. It also instructs on ECONOMICS/Finance/Entrepreneurship, Science, and Humanities. Sal does a decent job touching on broad perspectives on subjects, but overall lacks the definitive truth in many areas that EPJ, LRC, and MISES will teach.
ReplyDeleteI remember when Khan Academy tried to explain ABCT. Did a pretty piss-poor job, IIRC.
ReplyDeleteKhan Academy has a huge following. Comments are allowed. I suggest in the key areas like Money, banking, federal reserve, fractional reserve banking, Gold, debt/deficit, etc. that the Free Market people like EPJ, LRC, and MISES readers canvas and provide their key insight. Ron Paul and Lew Rockwell frequently talk that education is the key to freedom - that web-site is a key place to gain traction. Now, how to really do this???
ReplyDeleteWe could but they won't listen. Most people are just too stupid and simple minded.
DeleteI love Vi Hart's videos. They are fast paced and fun, and help explain complex mathematical theories in a graphic and unique way. I will definitely check out their economics site and try to add some Rothbard and Mises! (And Wenzelian snark!)
DeleteKhan Academy already sold out when they teamed up with Bank of America.
ReplyDeleteWell, this news should come as no surprise. The fix was in, about three years ago:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.gatesfoundation.org/How-We-Work/Quick-Links/Grants-Database/Grants/2010/10/OPP1025663
Great find Johnathon!
DeleteThe reference to "common core" in it is equally disturbing. Thankfully my wonder wife home schools our kids.
Common core? Rings a bell... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGph7QHzmo8
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