November 15, 2004
Turning Cell Phones Into Study Buddies
ABCNews looks into a high-tech way U.S. teenagers can prepare themselves for their SATs - while on the move.
"Princeton Review, a New York publishing company, has recently introduced a specialized version of its renowned SAT preparatory course work that can be delivered to students via the cell phone.
"The Prep for the SAT service downloads practice exams and questions that drill the student subscribers in sentence comprehension, critical reading, arithmetic, algebra, geometry and vocabulary.
Students can drill using a quick "Flashcard" mode which involves only two to six various questions of reading, vocabulary or math. Correct answers are acknowledged by a chime. An incorrect answer causes the phone to vibrate and pops up an explanation of the right answer.
In addition to quick drills, the service also has a Test option which offers practice exams modeled after the real SAT. Each downloaded test features two sections — one Math and one Reading and Writing — and takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
The Prep for SAT service is currently available on the Verizon wireless network for $6.95 per month. Raskin says the company hopes to add other cell phone service providers soon.
Related services and articles:
-- College Test Preparations Go Mobile - Looking to give college-bound students an edge, Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions has teamed with Handmark to develop a wirelessly accessible test preparation application.
-- Turning a Cellphone Into an SAT-Prep Tool - A new service from the Princeton Review and wireless-application publisher Vocel, called "Prep for the SAT," beams SAT practice questions to cellphones so kids can brush up during idle moments in the day -- say, while waiting for the school bus.
-- M-Learning - Using mobile phones and handheld computers to teach basic skills could help a generation of youngsters turned off by traditional education. That is the hope of those involved in the 4.5m euro (£3m) m-learning project, an EU-backed initiative taking place in the UK, Sweden and Italy.
-- SMS used to break student apathy - To hold the attention of his four classes aged 15-16 years, an Italian high school teacher has been trying out innovative new teaching methods by testing his students by SMS.
-- Setting the tone for new way to learn - A new system using the same technology that allows people to download ringtones or get the latest football scores on their mobile, will allows pupils to do their homework using their Nokias and Ericssons, thanks to an Edinburgh art tutor's brainwave.
The Permanent Link to this page is: http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2004/11/006028.htm
| Tweet |
