Khan Academy and Its Benefits for Adult Education Students

Khan Academy and Its Benefits for Adult Education Students

Khan Academy is a widely recognized online learning platform that provides free educational resources to students worldwide. Founded by Sal Khan in 2008, the platform offers a vast library of instructional videos, practice exercises, and personalized learning tools across various subjects. Its mission is to provide a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere. While Khan Academy primarily caters to K-12 students and those preparing for standardized tests, it is also an invaluable resource for students in Adult Education programs, including High School Equivalency and College prep.

One of the key benefits of Khan Academy for students is its structured and self-paced learning approach. Many individuals pursuing a High School Equivalency or Adult Education class may have been out of school for several years or have other commitments such as work or family responsibilities. Khan Academy allows students to learn at their own pace, reviewing concepts as needed and progressing through subjects without the pressure of a traditional classroom setting. This flexibility makes it easier for adult learners to balance their studies with other obligations.

Content for All Four GED/HiSET Subjects

Another advantage is the platform’s comprehensive subject coverage. The High School Equivalency tests assess four key areas: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. Khan Academy provides extensive lessons and exercises in these subjects, helping students strengthen their foundational knowledge. With detailed explanations and step-by-step solutions, the platform ensures that students grasp difficult concepts and build confidence in their abilities.

Additionally, Khan Academy utilizes interactive tools and instant feedback to enhance learning. Practice exercises include hints and step-by-step guidance, allowing students to understand their mistakes and improve their problem-solving skills. The platform also tracks progress, highlighting areas where students need additional practice. This personalized learning approach helps students focus on their weaknesses and improve their overall performance in a structured manner.

Accessible and Free to Use

Another major benefit of Khan Academy is its accessibility. Since all materials are available for free, financial barriers do not prevent students from accessing high-quality educational content. Furthermore, the platform is available on multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, making learning more convenient. This accessibility is particularly important for Adult Ed. students who may not have access to traditional educational resources or tutoring services.

For instructors, its easy-to-use platform allows you to set up classes and differentiated lessons, depending on the needs of your students. Each instructor simply signs up for their own account (check your school or organization’s distance learning policy for guidance). It continues to offer more varied content on a regular basis, making it an excellent tool for all learners. It is rated for ABE 2 or ESL Level 5.

Khan Academy serves as an excellent resource for GED students by offering flexible, comprehensive, and interactive learning tools. Its self-paced structure accommodates adult learners with busy schedules, while its extensive subject coverage ensures thorough preparation for the GED test. The platform’s interactive exercises and instant feedback help students identify and improve weak areas, ultimately increasing their chances of success. With its free* and easily accessible content, Khan Academy continues to support and empower GED students on their educational journey.

To Learn More…

To learn more about using Khan Academy for distance learning proxy hours, please refer to the DL website.

You can also view these short, easy-to-follow videos on the MN Adult Education Professional Development YouTube channel:

  1. Creating your Khan Academy teacher account and classes
  2. Assigning courses and lessons to learners
  3. How learners create accounts and join classes (on a computer)
  4. How learners join a class in the Khan Academy app (smartphone)
  5. How learners begin assignments in the app (smartphone)
  6. Viewing learners’ progress and time for DL proxy hour reporting

*Note: Khan Academy includes some AI tools: Khanmigo and Writing Coach. Khanmigo is free for teachers, but requires a paid subscription for learners. Writing Coach is currently free for both teachers and learners. These tools offer new and interesting possibilities for teachers and learners, and teachers may decide to have learners work with these tools during or outside of class time. However, time spent using Khanmigo or Writing Coach is NOT eligible for distance learning proxy hours. Before entering proxy hours for Khan Academy, please check learners’ activity overview and subtract any time spent working with Khanmigo or Writing Coach.

You can learn more about Khanmigo here and register to attend an AI Playgroup here.

Melissa Brusacoram, ABE Instructor Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA)