Your November 2013
ShillerLearning Tidbit
It's popular but does Khan Academy really work?
Khan Academy is the newest powerhouse in math education. Its site (http://www.khanacademy.org) has delivered its micro-lessons over 300 million times - all for free.
But does it work? No study has shown conclusively that it does - or doesn't. But its approach is similar to that used in the typical USA classroom: Get a lecture/watch a video, do some practice, take a test.
Not everyone thinks this approach is best: Check out Michael Pershan's video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHoXRvGTtAQ
One alternative, implemented by Learner's High (http://www.learnershigh.com), automates and integrates the Montessori and Socratic methods for math SAT prep (note to reader: I founded this company).
What do you think? Have you experienced other alternatives? Or do you think Khan Academy's approach is the best?
The good news is that students have more choices than ever before, which means that everntually, they'll be learning better than ever.
Corny math
Q: Why did the chicken cross the Mobius strip? A: To get to the same side
Q: How many seconds are there in a year? A: Twelve: January 2nd, February 2nd, ...
Q: What did one math book say to the other? A: Don't bother me, I've got my own problems
November 2013 Puzzler [Grades 5-8]
Steph realized that she'd be half her dad's age in 17 years. If Steph is 10, how old is her dad?
Provide the correct answer by November 25, 2013 to be this month's puzzler winner.
Answer to previous Puzzler [Grades 4-6]
If you put a triangle flush up and perpendicular against a mirror, what interesting things can you say about the resultant quadrilateral?
Solution: It's a kite, a quadrilateral with two distinct pairs of adjacent sides that are congruent.
I hope you enjoyed this short math break.
Sincerely,
Larry Shiller
Publisher
November Tidbit special: Save $25 on any kit. Use promo code KIT25. Expires November 10, 2013. Only at shillerlearning.com.
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