I am a fan of Sal Kahn, the person who not only founded Kahn Academy, but also have been working tirelessly to help better education for the past twenty years. The fact that he does not seek a monetary profit is enough for me to respect him. And the fact that he cares for and passionate about how children learn makes me respect him even more.

He is also super consistent and keeps innovating. He not only built Kahn Academy, but also built in-person school (Kahn Lab School) as well as online school (Kahn World Academy).

After AI gained steam after 2022, Sal Khan and his Academy built an interesting AI tool called Kahnmigo. Here is a video of Sal explaining what it can do:

Kahnmigo offers a wide range of tools for both teachers and students. For students, it can do a bunch of useful things such as:

  1. Personalized Tutoring: Offers one-on-one tutoring with a Socratic approach, guiding students to answers through questioning;
  2. Writing Support: Acts as a writing coach to help students improve their writing skills;
  3. Coding Assistance: Provides interactive coding lessons and exercises;
  4. Emotional Support: Serves as a guidance counselor and life coach, offering advice on issues like procrastination and test-taking stress;
  5. Subject Exploration: Allows students to engage in conversations with AI representations of historical figures for deeper subject understanding.

To me, the “killer-app: is 1-on-1 tutoring. Having a personalized tutor is such a big deal. Not only the advice they get feels personal, students may feel less intimidated, and more empowered, to ask questions and ask more questions. I wish I had the tool when I was a student.

For teachers, its usefulness is also immense:

  1. Lesson Planning: Generates customized lesson plans, discussion prompts, and end-of-lesson assessments;
  2. Content Creation: Helps create detailed rubrics, class newsletters, and report card comments;
  3. Differentiation: Assists in tailoring instruction to meet diverse student needs and interests;
  4. Assignment Management: Recommends assignments based on student performance and generates questions for discussions or quizzes;
  5. IEP Assistance: Provides support for Individualized Education Program (IEP) development.

I gave it a try, and came away very impressed. As a teacher, I asked Kahnmigo to write a 750-word essay on “What are the pros and cons of instructor-paced learning vs self-paced learning?”. Here is the answer:

In the realm of online education, the debate between instructor-paced and self-paced learning is particularly pertinent. Both approaches offer distinct advantages and disadvantages, and understanding these can help students and educators make informed decisions about which method best suits their needs.

Instructor-paced learning, as the name suggests, is structured around a schedule set by the instructor. This approach often mirrors traditional classroom settings, where students follow a predetermined timeline for lectures, assignments, and exams. One of the primary advantages of instructor-paced learning is the structured environment it provides. According to a study by Means et al. (2014), students in instructor-paced online courses often benefit from regular interaction with instructors and peers, which can enhance motivation and engagement. The fixed schedule can also help students develop time management skills, as they must adhere to deadlines and plan their study time accordingly.

However, instructor-paced learning is not without its drawbacks. The rigidity of the schedule can be a significant disadvantage for students who have other commitments, such as work or family responsibilities. This inflexibility can lead to increased stress and difficulty in balancing multiple obligations. Additionally, the pace set by the instructor may not align with every student’s learning speed, potentially leaving some students feeling rushed or others bored.

On the other hand, self-paced learning offers a flexible alternative. In this model, students have the autonomy to progress through the course material at their own speed. This flexibility can be particularly beneficial for adult learners or those with unpredictable schedules. Research by Kizilcec et al. (2017) suggests that self-paced learning can lead to higher satisfaction and lower dropout rates, as students can tailor their learning experience to fit their personal needs and preferences.

Despite its advantages, self-paced learning also presents challenges. The lack of a structured schedule can lead to procrastination and a lack of motivation for some students. Without regular deadlines, students may struggle to maintain consistent progress, which can ultimately impact their learning outcomes. Furthermore, the absence of regular interaction with instructors and peers can lead to feelings of isolation, which can negatively affect student engagement and success.

In conclusion, both instructor-paced and self-paced learning have their respective pros and cons in the context of online education. Instructor-paced learning offers structure and regular interaction, which can be beneficial for maintaining motivation and engagement. However, its rigidity may not suit all students. Conversely, self-paced learning provides flexibility and autonomy, which can enhance satisfaction and accommodate diverse schedules, but it requires strong self-discipline and motivation. Ultimately, the choice between these two approaches should be guided by the individual needs and circumstances of the learner, as well as the specific goals of the educational program.