Program uses smart phones to increase math scores
New report finds Project K-Nect helps students to like math—and teachers to like phones in the classroom
By Meris Stansbury, Associate Editor
Leveraging the Power of Mobile Learning
K-Nect students are more likely to achieve proficiency in Algebra and Algebra II than other students, says the report.
Two years ago, public high schools in North Carolina began an education technology pilot to determine whether smart phones, in conjunction with curriculum resources, could be leveraged to increase student math comprehension. Now, teachers are saying that not only have math test scores increased, but student achievement has increased in other subject areas as well.
The program, called Project K-Nect, was designed to create a supplemental resource for secondary at-risk students to focus on increasing their math skills with the help of mobile smart phones. Ninth graders in several public schools in North Carolina received smart phones to access supplemental Algebra I content aligned with their teachers’ lesson plans and course objectives. The phones and service are free of charge to the students and their schools, thanks to a grant provided by Qualcomm as part of its Wireless Reach initiative.
Student smart phones have 24/7 internet access, which students can use at home or at school, and they have full access to both the K-Nect curriculum, as well as features such as instant messaging (IM), video and chat capabilities, and calculators.
“Everyone thought this program might just last a semester,” said Suzette Kliewer, a math teacher at Southwest High School, one of two high schools in Onslow County, N.C., participating in K-Nect, “but it’s lasted for three [school] years now. It’s been approved for this upcoming year, too.”
Project Tomorrow, a national education nonprofit organization that provides consulting and research support to school districts, government agencies, and businesses about key trends in education, was asked by Digital Millennial Consulting (developer of K-Nect) to assess the program’s efficacy.
Project Tomorrow released a report of its findings earlier this month. The report presents the views of 78 students and four teachers who participated in the program between August 2009 and January 2010.
Project Tomorrow found that by using smart phones as part of the program, students are more successful on their North Carolina End of Course assessments, along with many other positive effects. Data were collected through on-site classroom observations, focus groups with students (pre- and post-semester), interviews with teachers (pre- and post-semester), and interviews with principals and technology coordinators.
K-Nect students are “more likely to achieve proficiency in Algebra and Algebra II than [other] students in their school, district, or state,” says the report.
6 Responses to Program uses smart phones to increase math scores
You must be logged in to post a comment Login
dbusick
July 21, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Examples would be a welcomed addition.
dbusick
July 21, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Examples would be a welcomed addition.
mathprof
July 22, 2010 at 9:32 am
This makes no sense to me. It would be cheaper and more beneficial to use a netbook. More Mathematics software would be available, bigger screen, no phone charges, longer life span, ability to use the school’s wifi network instead of paying additional charges for phone carriers’. Besides, most students already have their OWN cell phones. Am I missing something? Let me know!
Professor Martin Weissman
weissman@essex.edu
http://www.math911.com
mathprof
July 22, 2010 at 9:32 am
This makes no sense to me. It would be cheaper and more beneficial to use a netbook. More Mathematics software would be available, bigger screen, no phone charges, longer life span, ability to use the school’s wifi network instead of paying additional charges for phone carriers’. Besides, most students already have their OWN cell phones. Am I missing something? Let me know!
Professor Martin Weissman
weissman@essex.edu
http://www.math911.com
bfurst2008
July 22, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Hey mathprof, you may be right but it seems that smartphone functionality is reaching that of the netbook.
bfurst2008
July 22, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Hey mathprof, you may be right but it seems that smartphone functionality is reaching that of the netbook.
Michael.Gallo
July 26, 2010 at 4:29 pm
- Many smartphones have the ability to use Wi-Fi networks.
- Life span of a netbook is not necessary greater than a smartphone
- For internet connectivity (pull communications), battery life for continuous use of a smartphone is greater than for comparable usage of a netbook
- Netbooks have a much greater street value and are more likely targets for theft
- Netbooks have a higher cost of support per device, per year
- Compared to netbooks, smartphones are lighter, less expensive and less delicate devices
- If a smartphone is missing (under a pile of clothes/books/papers), someone can call the telephone and locate the device
- If a smartphone is lost or stolen, content (including contact information for children) can be wiped remotely
- In an emergency, the smarphone can be used to track the location of the device or child, or can be used by the child to reach out for assistance
- Bigger sceens and more software would be beneficial, but until curriculums are revised and school have the budget to purchase such software, smartphones are a less expensive means for accessing and working with easy-to-provide content (assignments, examples, study guides, etc.) that fits the existing curriculum.
Michael.Gallo
July 26, 2010 at 4:29 pm
- Many smartphones have the ability to use Wi-Fi networks.
- Life span of a netbook is not necessary greater than a smartphone
- For internet connectivity (pull communications), battery life for continuous use of a smartphone is greater than for comparable usage of a netbook
- Netbooks have a much greater street value and are more likely targets for theft
- Netbooks have a higher cost of support per device, per year
- Compared to netbooks, smartphones are lighter, less expensive and less delicate devices
- If a smartphone is missing (under a pile of clothes/books/papers), someone can call the telephone and locate the device
- If a smartphone is lost or stolen, content (including contact information for children) can be wiped remotely
- In an emergency, the smarphone can be used to track the location of the device or child, or can be used by the child to reach out for assistance
- Bigger sceens and more software would be beneficial, but until curriculums are revised and school have the budget to purchase such software, smartphones are a less expensive means for accessing and working with easy-to-provide content (assignments, examples, study guides, etc.) that fits the existing curriculum.
JulieW2
August 3, 2010 at 5:24 pm
This article definitely relates to Monday’s article. I thought it was great that average/struggling students were asked to participate in this program. Anything that increases their interest in learning is worth looking into. I liked that the phones were used during class as well. The students and teacher getting and giving immediate feedback would be invaluable through IM. I liked the comments about students talking and teaching each other, and also that they could see the correlation to math in the world.
JulieW2
August 3, 2010 at 5:24 pm
This article definitely relates to Monday’s article. I thought it was great that average/struggling students were asked to participate in this program. Anything that increases their interest in learning is worth looking into. I liked that the phones were used during class as well. The students and teacher getting and giving immediate feedback would be invaluable through IM. I liked the comments about students talking and teaching each other, and also that they could see the correlation to math in the world.
JulieM
August 3, 2010 at 8:33 pm
(Julie F.) Every school strives to increase acheivement. The K-Nect project has seemed to accomplished that goal. The math curriculum is based on “real-world” examples. Sounds to me like the K-Nects program prepares students for the “real world”. The students learn through a great set of motivators, peers and smartphones. It would be important to monitor correct usage of the phones. It is great that the students see it as a privilege to use the phones. The phones have created a possitive learning environment. It is great that struggling students can success in math and build thier self-esteem at the same time. Kliewer summed up the entire article in her last statement.
JulieM
August 3, 2010 at 8:33 pm
(Julie F.) Every school strives to increase acheivement. The K-Nect project has seemed to accomplished that goal. The math curriculum is based on “real-world” examples. Sounds to me like the K-Nects program prepares students for the “real world”. The students learn through a great set of motivators, peers and smartphones. It would be important to monitor correct usage of the phones. It is great that the students see it as a privilege to use the phones. The phones have created a possitive learning environment. It is great that struggling students can success in math and build thier self-esteem at the same time. Kliewer summed up the entire article in her last statement.