We have to take a standardized test this year for third grade. And even though Mr. Man can determine the speed of a falling object of a known mass under perfect conditions, he sucks at subtraction. He can solve for x, balance an equation, and make complicated analogies about the relative size of atoms. But he has no idea what the standard vocabulary of shapes is beyond the little kid basics of "circle," "square," "oval,""rectangle," "octagon." and everything else is a polyhedron. Which, while technically correct, is not the answer they're looking for when presenting a hexagon.
So a few weeks ago, I went back to Khan Academy. Last time we tried it was early last school year. It was very utilitarian, video heavy, and he just didn't take to it. Also, his keyboard skills were pretty poor, and I couldn't figure out how to turn off the timer. So while he knew the answers, he couldn't input them in time and a wrong answer made an angry buzzing noise. Not motivating to Boogie at all.
I saw a FB ad for Khan Academy having redone their website, so I figured I'd give it another go.
It is amazing. The dashboard is enticing, and what Boogie sees when he logs in, is chosen by me. I made it a point to select things that were in line with his current interests (atoms and molecules; physics, math), one thing I'd like him to take an interest in (crash course history), and the link that takes him to the main menu of all the things.
Each activity completed results in badges (which my little completist's heart loves) and energy points. Energy points can be used to evolve your avatar and upgrade your overall experience, like getting special badges, custom backgrounds, mini-games, etc. No more angry buzzing sound for wrong answers. You just get a grey "x" instead of a green checkmark. There is also now an option to pick "I haven't learned this yet," and it counts as null and gives you another question. So you don't have to break a streak over something you haven't gotten to.
Well, this is more about Boogie than Khan, so here's the real point of the story. At some point while he was reveling in the joy of the number pad, his stats popped up. I think right after a 5 in a row challenge. His stats revealed that he was 20% through 3rd grade skills (not really, he's just only been on Khan for 3 days) and 30% through 4th grade skills. (3rd grade is on the dashboard, because he needs to master the vocabulary of the the grade level at least) but ALL the math is on the more stuff link. And he just clicks stuff he wants to do, and does it. Well, he looked at me, looked at the dashboard, and told me that he was sorry that he'd been doing 4th grade, but 3rd was boring sometimes.... And I told him that it was fine. In fact, He could do whatever he wants, as long as he finishes the 3rd grade sometime this year. He sighed with relief, and announced that he was going to finish it before Easter, and then this happened:
Boogie: I'm going to finish 3rd grade before Easter.
Me: Okay, dude.
Boogie: And then, I'm going to finish 4th grade.
Me: Okay.
Boogie: I SAID, I'm going to finish 4th grade, too.
Me: Yes, son. I heard you. You want to finish the 3rd and 4th grade math section on Khan Academy this year.
Boogie: I mean it.
Me: Yes, Boogie, I know.
Boogie: So, I can do as much as I want.
Me: Yes. As much as you want.
Now his 3rd grade percentage is 30%. He has decided to complete these tasks in order. now that he doesn't have to sneak access to more stuff. He's going to go in order as fast as he can.
He's watched 6 of 42 crash course history videos. He really enjoys John Greene, who is quite an engaging presenter. I think the videos are more geared towards late middle school/early high school, but Trey hates all of the things considered appropriate for his age, and rejects them all. I'm hoping that there isn't much science outside of "science reasoning" involved in the test, cause Boogie is not interested in any of the age level science texts. We're learning to read the periodic table so he can make models of atoms with Lego bricks. And then calculate how many atoms are in a Lego brick if one hair is 1 Million atoms wide. (But that isn't math, it's science, same as calculating velocity. Multiplying random numbers by 9.8 is science because meters per second squared is science talk.)
So yeah, new Khan Academy. Check it out.
