Qualcomm through its Wireless Reach initiative, and
Renaissance Academy a private correspondence high school in Daigo-cho, Ibaraki,
announced the launch of the 3G Smartphone x Digital Textbook project to help
high school dropouts, habitual absentees and students seeking vocational
training earn diplomas.
In Japan, the unemployment rate for high school dropouts
is significantly higher than the average, and even for those who are employed,
full-time employment is relatively low.
The high unemployment and part-time employment levels for
dropout’s places a strain on Japan’s social welfare system, and the government
is working to implement measures to aid high school dropouts attain jobs.
Meanwhile, many Japanese high school students are
dissatisfied with the inflexible, uniform content of their education and often
suffer from loss of motivation, though this may not be as apparent because
these students continue to attend school.
According to the Renaissance Academy, the desire to learn
the traditional curriculum among Japanese high school students is among the
lowest in the world, and an increasing number of students each year express
their desire to focus on study areas that are of personal interest or a
potential profession.
Supporting such students is an important responsibility
for a private correspondence high school like the Renaissance Academy.
The Renaissance Academy provides
opportunities in specialized and vocational training for aspiring professionals
and a second chance for high school absentees and dropouts. At the Renaissance
Academy, the majority of students spend their day participating in professional
training or studying outside of the classroom.
In addition, most work part-time and lead highly mobile
lives, leaving limited opportunity to study their textbooks while at home, so
they benefit from the ability to access their coursework no matter the
location.
With a grant from Qualcomm’s Wireless Reach initiative,
the 3G Smartphone x Digital Textbook project will provide 500 smartphones,
mobile educational content and 3G wireless connectivity to Renaissance Academy
students.
The students will use Snapdragon processor-enabled
smartphones to access educational content and resources through a 3G wireless
network. Students also will be able to download educational applications
and take lessons or tests anytime and anywhere using their smartphones.
Offering smartphone-based courses is expected to help
increase the rate of students completing programs while staying interested in
learning. Having ubiquitous access to educational materials gives
students an opportunity to study, catch up with lessons and take tests outside
the hours of a typical school day.
Renaissance Academy’s goal is to have as many students as
possible receive a high school education and earn a diploma. This project
marks the school’s first time offering a smartphone-based course for credit.
By Telecomlead.com Team
editor@telecomlead.com
