Free online maths learning: a new platform for Ukrainian students
9 September 2024 15:29
Ukrainian schoolchildren can now study mathematics for free thanks to a new platform. The team of the KSE Foundation, together with students and professors of the Kyiv School of Economics, is Ukrainianising the Khan Academy distance education platform, which is one of the world’s most popular online educational resources, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports, citing the KSE Foundation.
Khan Academy currently offers three courses in Ukrainian – arithmetic, basic algebra and mathematical analysis – all in the format of short video lessons, notes and tests.
The project has brought together more than 70 specialists, including translators, dubbing actors, editors, methodologists and volunteers. Their work goes beyond mere translation: they adapt explanations and terminology to Ukrainian realities, and re-record the videos.
“Our work is a little more than just translation. We call it localisation, because we adapt the style of explanations and terminology to Ukrainian realities, and re-record the videos,” explains Taras Pavlov, Khan Academy’s localisation coordinator in Ukraine.
He emphasises that the team is trying to preserve the unique style of the platform, which encourages curiosity and self-study.
The project to raise funds for the localisation was launched in May this year. Thanks to the support of donors, the team has already translated over 2 million words, dubbed and adapted more than 70 hours of videos for courses in arithmetic, basic algebra and mathematical analysis. The team plans to localise more than 5,000 lessons in science, engineering, economics, programming and mathematics, as well as create interactive notes and tests.
“We want to make STEM education accessible to every Ukrainian student, regardless of their place of residence or financial status. The localisation of the Khan Academy online platform into Ukrainian is our contribution to the educational future of Ukraine,” said Maryna Borysenko, Deputy Director for Humanities at KSE Foundation.
For reference:
Khan Academy is an American non-profit organisation that develops online educational content. The platform is used by a third of US students, is translated into more than 40 languages, and has 165 million registered users from 190 countries. Khan Academy is supported by Google, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and international philanthropists.
In addition to helping students, Khan Academy is designed to support teachers and allow parents to monitor their child’s progress.
