For Immediate Release: July 8, 2010

Contact:
Julie Evans, Project Tomorrow (jevans@tomorrow.org, 949-922-0977)
Shawn Gross, Project K-Nect (shawngross@projectknect.org, 919-386-0341)

North Carolina Schools Leverage Smartphones To Close the Achievement Gap in
Math

New report substantiates improved test scores as result of student use of
mobile technology

“The Smart Phone is like a teacher in my pocket.” – Project K-Nect Student

Irvine, Calif. — Students using “smartphones” as part of their academic
classroom work in Onslow County, N.C., significantly outpaced other students –
in the school district and across the state — on end-of-course exams in
Algebra, Algebra II and Geometry, a new report reveals. The significant gains
made by the students in math suggest that mobile devices, engaging content and
subsequent changes in teaching strategies lead to substantial improvement in
student achievement, the report states.

In a study of Project K-Nect, a pilot program examining the use of smartphones
as a learning tool in schools, teachers and high school students in Onslow are
utilizing the technology and digital content to supplement selected math
courses. Implemented at three high schools located in economically challenged
communities, the Project goals are to increase student achievement in math and
close the digital divide.

“We’re extremely optimistic about the findings and what they mean for the
future of smartphones in the classroom,” says Julie Evans, Project Tomorrow
Chief Executive Officer, whose organization prepared the evaluation report.
“Students improved their scores in Math by an average of 20 percent, and this
technology and wireless Internet access ensured the equitable delivery of
engaging instruction, bridging the persistent digital and achievement divides.
Project K-Nect and this report have significant new implications on how, when
and where we engage students in a learning process.”

Some of the other key findings from this year’s evaluation report include:

* Students participating in Project K-Nect have a greater self-perception (61%)
that they are succeeding academically than their national peers (39%). And
they believe that they are being better prepared for that success (55%) than
other students (45%).

* Project K-Nect has provided a “safety net” of additional support for the
students through the connections with classmates and teachers, and new
approaches to learning math. As a result of participation in the program this
year, over 90% of the students said that they are now more comfortable learning
math, and 81% said that they have increased confidence talking about math and
math problems.

* Almost two-thirds of the students reported taking additional math courses and
over 50% are now thinking about a career in a math field as a result of
participation in Project K-Nect.

* The teachers involved in Project K-Nect also report that their students are
more responsible for their own learning and have developed more collaborative
learning skills as a result. Additionally, the teachers note that their
students are more active participants in the class, as either learners
themselves or, in many cases, as teachers or peer coaches to their classmates.
This was especially significant for students who are normally shy or reluctant
class participants due to disabilities or limited English proficiency and can
now participate more fully through the IM or blogging features.

Project K-Nect participating students continue to pursue rigorous Mathematics
instruction with 90% of the initial student cohort currently enrolled in AP
Statistics, a college level statistics course taken by less than 1% of high
school students nationwide. Project Tomorrow plans to track these students as
they enter post-secondary schooling.

Project K-Nect is funded through Qualcomm’s Wireless Reach Initiative.

The report is available for download via

http://www.tomorrow.org/research/ProjectKnect.html.

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About Project Tomorrow
Project Tomorrow®, the national education nonprofit organization dedicated to
empowering student voices in education discussions, prepared this program
evaluation for Digital Millennial Consulting. Project Tomorrow has over 15
years experience in the K-12 education sector and regularly provides consulting
and research support to school districts, government agencies, business and
higher education about key trends in K-12 science, math and technology
education.

Each fall, Project Tomorrow facilitates the Speak Up National Research Project
to inform federal, state and local policymakers, program developers and funders
on the role of emerging technology within K-12 education. Data collected
through its Speak Up project is included in this report. Since 2003, over 1.85
million students, teachers, parents and administrators have share their views
through annual Speak Up online surveys and the Speak Up dataset represents the
largest collection of authentic, unfiltered data from educational stakeholders.
For more information please visit http://www.tomorrow.org/

About Project K-Nect
Project K-Nect was designed and implemented by Digital Millennial Consulting.
The initiative represents a successful reference design for mobile learning in
the United States. The initiative delivers managed instructional activities (a
comprehensive Algebra I curriculum and resources) and support services to
teachers and students via Smartphones .

Implemented in several North Carolina school systems, Project K-Nect has
yielded significant academic gains for student participants and has had a
‘transformative’ impact on teachers involved in the program. For more
information, please visit www.projectknect.org

About Qualcomm Wireless Reach
Qualcomm believes access to advanced wireless voice and data services improves
people’s lives. Qualcomm’s Wireless Reach initiative supports programs and
solutions that bring the benefits of connectivity to underserved communities
globally. By working with partners, Wireless Reach projects create new ways for
people to communicate, learn, access health care, sustain the environment and
reach global markets. For more information, please visit
www.qualcomm.com/wirelessreach