Wireless Reach/Qualcomm

As we explore the potential of mobile learning, especially as it relates to reaching out to disenfranchised students, the most recent results from Project K-Nect seem that much more relevant.

The pilot program based in North Carolina, which we covered here on MindShift, was designed to make math more engaging for low-income kids with the use of mobile phones in Onslow County School System.

In its third year, the program has more than proven successful. Some stats from the most recent report, released last month, quoted here:

• By the end of the fall 2010 semester, 89 percent of the Algebra I students reported they are more motivated to learn math compared to 76 percent at the beginning of the semester.

• 90 percent of the Project K-Nect students in Algebra I and 100 percent of the Algebra II students demonstrated proficiency on their end of course exams.

• By the end of the fall 2010 semester, 89 percent of the Algebra I students reported they are more motivated to learn math compared to 76 percent at the beginning of the semester.
• The majority of students reported they are also more comfortable learning math (83 percent), felt more successful (72 percent) and better prepared to take the end-of course exam (72 percent).
• By the end of the semester, the number of students who thought, “math is easy” more than doubled from 29 percent to 61 percent.

• The first cohort of Project K-Nect students successfully completing the college level AP Calculus college curriculum and took the AP exam last month.

• Algebra I students expressed an interest in taking additional math classes, including Advanced Placement courses.
• They also said they are more interested in attending college (56 percent) or pursuing a degree or career that would use their math skills (33 percent).

What’s more, the report states that “students’ increased use of and familiarity with technology through Project K-Nect helps students easily integrate the use of technology to other curricular areas.”

Students in the program use smart phones to solve math problems, and collaborate with each other through blogs, instant messaging and email. They use photos and videos to “capture their problem-solving strategies and post them to the Project K-Nect site” for review.

And this is just a math program. Imagine how it could play out with other subjects.

This video, produced by Qualcomm’s Wireless Reach Division, provides a perspective of how it works.