"Teaching Through Transmission: A Critical Analysis of the Khan Academy as a Model of Didactic Pedagogy"

For this project, I have selected Khan Academy as a contemporary example of didactic pedagogy. Khan Academy is a free online educational platform founded by Salman Khan in 2008. It offers instructional videos, practice exercises, and personalized learning dashboards across a variety of subjects including mathematics, science, history, and economics. The core of Khan Academy’s teaching method is based on a traditional didactic model—an approach where the teacher (or in this case, the video instructor) is the primary source of knowledge, and the learner is the passive recipient. Lessons are delivered in a direct, lecture-style format, with step-by-step explanations and worked examples, which are then followed by practice questions to reinforce the material.

One of the key pedagogical strengths of Khan Academy lies in its clarity and structured delivery. Complex topics are broken down into manageable chunks, and learners can progress at their own pace, making it particularly beneficial for students who need extra support or repetition. The platform’s accessibility is another major advantage; it is entirely free and available to anyone with internet access, which helps bridge educational gaps around the world. Additionally, because the content is standardized and recorded, it can be scaled globally, reaching millions of learners efficiently.

However, there are also important limitations to this didactic approach. While the platform includes quizzes and feedback, it largely lacks interactive or collaborative elements that promote active learning. The format encourages passive information absorption rather than critical engagement or hands-on exploration. Furthermore, the one-size-fits-all delivery does not always address the diverse needs, cultural contexts, or learning styles of individual students. As such, learners who thrive through dialogue, experimentation, or social interaction may find the approach limiting. In conclusion, Khan Academy serves as a useful and accessible model of didactic pedagogy, but it also highlights the need for more dynamic, student-centered learning strategies in today’s educational landscape.