USE OF THE KHAN ACADEMY EDUCATIONAL PLATFORM TO IMPROVE THE LEARNING OF FIRST-GRADE EQUATIONS IN EIGHTH GRADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
Abstract
One of the most common challenges in Ecuadorian secondary education is students' learning difficulties, especially in solving first-degree equations, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this research was to investigate whether the Khan Academy platform, as a complementary learning tool, would have an impact on the learning of first-degree equations for 8th-grade students at the “Daniel Comboni” Educational Unit in the 2022-2023 school year. 72 students were selected using purposive sampling and divided into two groups: a control group (traditional instruction only) and an experimental group (traditional instruction plus Khan Academy). A quantitative, positivist method with a quasi-experimental design was used. The experimental group also completed pre- and post-tests and received Khan Academy videos on algebraic language and first-degree equations, algebraic language exercises, articles, and quizzes. Groups were found to be equivalent at the beginning of the study, based on their pre-test scores (p = .984). The experimental group significantly outperformed the control group on the post-test (independent-samples t test, p = .000), and there was a positive correlation between pre- and post-test scores (r = .602). The more time students spent on the platform, the more skills they improved. The results suggest that Khan Academy (in addition to regular instruction) leads to more dynamic and independent learning and to a measurable improvement in solving first-degree equations.
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References
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