The Triangle

Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Drexel Math Forum The "smartphone" was created as a part of Project K-Nect, a program that aims to help students who have a lack of Internet access. Students use the phone to work out math and science problems.

On Feb. 18, Drexel University's Math Forum held a demonstration Feb. 18 of a new cell phone that promises to help teens learn and have fun.

These new cell phones, called "smartphones," were created as a part of Project K-Nect, a program that aims to help students who have a lack of Internet access, underdeveloped "21st-century skills" and math and science deficits.

According to the Project K-Nect web site, the smartphones were created so "secondary at-risk students [could] focus on increasing their math skills through a common and popular technology [cell phones]."

The smartphones contain math content as well as animation, audio, and real-world examples. Drexel is the primary subject matter expert for Project K-Nect, and is responsible for the design of all the mathematics content, curriculum growth, adherence to standards and professional development, according to the Project K-Nect web site.

Stephen Weimar, director of the math forum, said he has teamed up with Project K-Nect to help students all around the country succeed in math.

The demonstration featured twin sisters Amber Brown and Ambriana Brown, eighth grade students at Richard Allen Preparatory Charter School, who tested out math problems on Alltel smartphones. The phones contain mp3 capability, text and instant messaging, and the Internet, in addition to math software. The Browns tested out mathematical problem sets on the cell phones and then created videos to help out other students.

Students can create their own videos, or write blogs to discuss problems. The Browns said they think the phones are a great resource for students.

"Some people in the class can be struggling, and too embarrassed to ask the teacher for help. The phones make it easier for students to communicate." Ambriana said.

Amber said she found the animations to be most helpful.

"Before you start the problem, the animation gives you an idea on how you can solve the problem," she said.

The only problem the girls had with the phones is that they said the program can run a little slowly.

The smartphone wasis designed to raise proficiency in state testing by enhancing math attainment and improving class performance, according to the said Project K-Nect web site. Also, the smartphones allow students in different academic and economic levels, as well as parents who may not be as technologically savvy as their children, to come together. "These students [the Browns] were selected because they have little access to the Internet at home," Weimar said.

The smartphone runs for about $500, and was launched Jan. 5 in North Carolina. If they are a success there, the Drexel Math Forum will extend this program to Philadelphia schools.

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