Experts and Sharing

One benefit of attending the University of Michigan is being taught by professors with such success, intelligence and experience in their field of study, however the experts are not always the best at sharing information. In my Biochemistry course, for example, we are being taught by professors with multiple awards in the biochemical sciences, currently discovering groundbreaking scientific information. Although it is such an honor to learn from experts in the field, I’ve started to feel that some of these professors may have forgotten we, the students, are new to this area of study. Almost daily, we are listening to lectures for two hours with no break where our directed attention is being strained along with an overwhelming amount of new information being taught.

Resources like Khan Academy come in handy for times like this. Khan Academy is a free online learning resource that provides exercises, instructional videos, and personalized tutoring for a variety of subjects. Focusing again on biochemistry, this resource teaches the same concepts that are taught in lecture, however, the information is given in a way that makes sense and promotes involvement. There are visual references (graphics) that make the information easier to follow, along with analogies and examples. In order to prevent overwhelming the learner, information is chunked, and videos are made into short segments providing time to test their knowledge and make predictions. Additionally, the language used is understood with greater ease, eliminating the use of big words to prevent confusion. The videos are setup to limit distractions with a plain black background and colored markers to clearly illustrate major principles and concepts. When possible, concepts are made into a “story”, providing mystery and fascination. All of these features make Khan Academy an effective and efficient source of sharing information.