Hall's Toolbox: OPEN ED SITES

As technology continues advancements in all areas including education, several sites have come along that have taken education further than simply providing supplements or support. Open education sites, like Kahn Academy and OpenEd, have worked to creative comprehensive platforms that have even acted as the primary source of learning for some people. For students in the elementary classroom, open education sites can act as great resources to support student learning and track progress.

The first thing I noticed--and appreciated--when considering these sites for my own class centered around their structure. All of the sites I visited had content rooted in the Common Core. Lessons were identified by standard and strand and contained the same concepts across sites. This alignment is particularly useful when districts adopt the common core and need material that is already structured, leveled, and available.

Kahn Academy's Content as Structured by Common Core

Lessons and Video page on OpenEd showing Common Core Connections

If possessing the appropriate content for learning wasn't enough to persuade teachers to try them out, the user-friendly layout makes setting up one's classroom, assigning tasks and videos to student, and assessing what they've learned quick and easy. In just a few minutes I was able to create a profile, start a class, set up my roster, send out invitations, and assign work on both of these sites. While both sites are easy to use, students may prefer to use one more than the other. Providing options like which site to use while maintaining adherence to instruction of the same material is yet another pro to open education sites.

There are cons to using open ed sites as well. For one, some students don't learn as well from online learning, and other might like it but lack the resources outside of school to use it. In addition, the more sites a teacher has up for students to use, the more time it will take checking in on students in different locations to assign them different tasks. Using too many of these types of sites can leave a teacher short on time, a problem that technology is suppose to address instead of create.

Kahn Academy is free to use. OpenEd is also free to use but does contain premium and school membership options as listed below:

As with any site or technological resource, the amount that one gets out of it is proportional to the amount of time and energy one puts into it. This is true for teachers as well as students. Sites like Kahn Academy and Open Ed are providing opportunities for learning that never existed before, but the opportunity must be taken for there to be a chance of success. Once teachers have explored these sites for themselves, considered the needs of their students, and know what they want out of open ed sites, these tools can provide the extra practice and new experiences for learning will they understand what will work for them and what work they'll need to put in.

ISTE Standards for Students

(Click on the link above for descriptions of the following standards this tool can address.)

Creativity and innovation (a, b, c, d)

Communication and collaboration (a, b, c, d)

Research and information fluency (b, c,)

Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making (a, b, c)

Digital citizenship (a, b, c, d)

Technology operations and concepts (a, b, c, d)

ISTE Standards for Teachers

(Click on the link above for descriptions of the following standards this tool can address.)

Facilitate and Inspire student learning and creativity (a, b, c,d)

Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments (a, b, c)