What services are being made available to students?
Student have access to supplemental multimedia content, primarily authored in Flash
to support access to materials through Flash Lite. Additionally, students have access
to a closed social networking utility allows them to create blogs. This utility allows
students to author, post and view video, audio, digital images and text exclusively from the
mobile device.
Is any of the content locally cached on the devices and also stored at the server
level?
Weekly content available to the students is downloaded onto the devices and stored
in the local memory card which has a 2 GB storage capacity. If the user is disconnected
from the network, the device and/or the server will store the data to avoid the potential for
data loss. As an option, when the user logs back into K-Nect, they are returned to the
active screen they were working on when the network was disconnected.
Are students permitted to bring devices to school?
Yes
How do you ensure the devices are not a disruption to instructional time?
MobiControl enables teacher and administrators to restrict students
from using the voice capabilities and instant messaging capabilities of the phone during
primary instructional time. Additionally, the devices route all requests for access to
external Web sites via a Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) compliant content filter.
Finally, all text-based communication through the closed social networking system are
monitored to ensure appropriate use. Students also are required to attend a training
session related to an acceptable use policy under which a zero tolerance policy will be
applied.
How does the approach of distributing mobile Smartphones differ from utilizing laptop computers from an instructional perspective?
The Smartphone’s size is ideal for students. Students are able to access personalized
content wherever and whenever using an EV-DO wireless mobile broadband connection.
Smartphones enable students who have limited access to the Internet to acquire
digital resources only available to those with Internet access outside of school. Finally,
the device permits students to have access to their peers to get immediate support and
feedback.
What training programs are made available to students?
Students are offered training on the Windows Mobile device, instructional services,
support services and the acceptable use policy.
What staff development programs are made available to teacher and administrators?
Teachers are provided with training sessions that include understanding Microsoft
Windows Mobile 6.0, overview of the mLearning system, support processes,
administration and utilization of the system, and monitoring and evaluating student usage
patterns.
Was an acceptable use policy document created?
Yes. If it is determined that a student breaches the acceptable use policies, theyare
either temporarily or permanently removed from the sample population. The severity
of the breach determines if the student is either temporarily or permanently banned
from the Project.
What are the primary objectives for Project K-Nect?
The primary objectives for Project K-Nect are to determine the practicality and
effectiveness of using familiar mobile phone technology and social networking to improve
test scores for students who failed to achieve proficiency on state standards exams, and
who have limited or no computer and Internet access at home.
What is the start and end date for the pilot project?
Phase 1 ran January 2008 – June 2008. Phase 2 started September 2008 and is currently ongoing.
How doesl the system protect students from online social predators?
Students are only given access rights to communicate with individuals participating
within Project K-Nect. Other social networking sites are blocked and all text based
communication is monitored.
