Khan Academy versus Distance Calculus Comparison
Khan Academy is a wonderful resource for calculus and other subject instruction, featuring video lectures on a massive number of topics.Khan Academy is free. Usually Khan Academy is used by teachers to assign to their students the watching of various lectures in support of their courses, or for students who are seeking help with their homework and looking for extra instructions.
Keep in mind, however, that these Khan Academy "courses" do not grant academic credit. They are presented more as a resource for learning, and certainly an awesome resource! But if you "enroll" in one of these courses and start engaging the course materials and lectures, you will not be on a path towards earning academic credits for these courses.
Perhaps someday Khan Academy courses will grant academic credit, but for now, they do not.
If you are looking for a non-credit alternative to just learn the course materials, Khan Academy is an excellent resource.
But if your goal is to earn academic credits for your Calculus course effort, you need to seek out an academic credit-granting program, like Distance Calculus @ Roger Williams University.
Comparison of OpenCourseWare @ MIT; vs Distance Calculus
| Topic | MyMathLab® | Distance Calculus |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Choice | No | No |
| Use of Computer Algebra System | No | No |
| Tied to Traditional Textbook | No | No, Reform e-Curriculum |
| Recursive Grading | No | Yes |
| Comprehensive Course System | No, just video lectures | Yes |
| Drill & Practice | No | No |
Here are a few videos about Distance Calculus @ Roger Williams University:
Is Distance Calculus for You?
Success Indicators for Distance Calculus
Distance Calculus - Student Reviews
Date Posted: Jan 12, 2020
Review by: Brian Finley
Courses Completed: Calculus II
Review: I took Calculus II through Distance Calculus and can't recommend it enough. Being able to take the course at my own pace while I was working full time was tremendously helpful, especially since I hadn't taken a math course for 5 years prior. The instruction was excellent and the software they used to teach the course was intuitive and facilitated the learning process very well. This calc II class enabled me to take multivariable calc, linear algebra, and real analysis at Harvard University's extension school, which ultimately qualified me for the economics PhD program that I will graduate from next year. 8 years on, I'm still grateful to Professor Curtis and Distance Calculus.
Date Posted: May 6, 2025
Review by: Aiden B.
Courses Completed: Calculus II, Multivariable Calculus
Review: Is the course perfect? No. However, it was by far the best option available. I have learned quite a few things not normally taught in a Calculus course. However, the course lacks a lot of paper solving and integrating, which is to be expected in an online course.
Date Posted: May 18, 2025
Review by: Jenny Zuercher
Student Email: jenz2.home@icloud.com
Courses Completed: Precalculus, Calculus II
Review: Dr. Curtis's courses are very difficult, but they are definitely worth it! I took Calculus 2 from Dr. Curtis in my senior year of high school and went into a combined Calculus 2 and Calculus 3 course my first year of college. This course prepared me, and I found that I already knew much of the Calculus 3 coursework. The most difficult part of these courses, in my opinion, is pacing yourself. If you can keep yourself on track, then you are all good to go!
Transferred Credits to: University of Iowa
Distance Calculus - Curriculum Exploration
Getting Started
- P0: Getting Started:
- P0.1: Welcome
- P0.1.a: Welcome to the Course
- P0.1.b: Equipment You Will Need
- P0.1.c: Communication
- P0.1.d: How The Course Works
- P0.2: Installing Software
- P0.3: Webcam For Creating Videos
- P0.3.a: Introduction
- P0.3.b: Setting Up The Camera
- P0.3.c: Windows: Using Movie Maker
- P0.3.d: Macintosh: Various Recording Software
- P0.3.e: 2010 Webcam Update
- P0.4: Handing In Your Work
- P0.4.a: Using FTP Uploader
- P0.4.b: Checking Your Hand-In Folder
- P0.4.c: 2010 Update: Handing-In Your Work
- P0.5: Using Your Scanner
- P0.6: Getting HW Back
- P0.7:
- P0.8:
- P0.9:
Course Information
Frequent Questions
