Online academy launches Myanmar translation videos

Online academy launches Myanmar translation videos

By Fiona Macgregor   |   Thursday, 16 January 2014

A leading United States online education institute has translated 100 of its videos into Myanmar language so that internet users here can access "a world-class education".

The California-based Khan Academy is a non-profit organisation that aims to provide "a world-class education for anyone, anywhere". More than 6 million users across the world access Khan Academy websites each month.

However, it says only about 200 people in Myanmar are currently using its resources, which include a library of more than 6000 educational videos and practice exercises in subjects from basic maths to college level biology and art history.

Thanks to the efforts of California-based Myanmar academic U Nyunt Than and a team of US and Myanmar-based volunteers with the Khan Academy Burmese Translation project (www.khanacademyburmese.org), an initial 100 videos have already been translated.

Speaking at the launch in Yangon on January 12, U Nyunt Than, who is also chair of the Burmese American Democratic Alliance, said the videos and exercises allow pupils to progress at their own pace.

"Along with technology, online learning is changing how people are educated," he said.

"The Khan Academy functions by analysing [via computer] the behaviour of users to find out what is best for their progress."

He said more translators are needed to help the project reach its full potential.

"It's taken about eight months for the Burmese translations so far to [be completed]. We connected with the University of Berkeley's software engineering department, which built a web application for translating materials into Burmese," he said.

Because of budget restrictions, the videos have only got Myanmar subtitles and have not been dubbed.

"The project is done by volunteers who can pick and choose what they want to translate.  Anyone can translate if you have the resources [such as skills and internet access] you can come on board and the Khan Academy will show you how to progress."

The Khan Academy system, which has now been translated into more than 30 languages, aims to give students control over their own learning and the pace at which they proceed. Using its website, they progress only once they've understood they have understood the material properly rather than at the time set by a teacher.

U Nyunt Than said the Khan Academy's resources work alongside the standard curriculum rather than replace it.

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/online-academy-launches-myanmar-translation-videos/