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ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. – Some Onslow County schools are acting as test sites for project K-nect, a program that gives smart phones to algebra students. The success of the program has led to an even bigger expansion of technology into the schools.

“They create videos, post pictures of problems they’ve done, we actually have them post problems to a blog,” algebra teacher Steve Clarke said.

In class, Clarke can post a math questions. Students will solve the problem and submit an answer using special software that displays the answers in real time.

“It gives us instant feedback on how they’re doing on that type of problem,” Clarke said.

Students also use instant messaging, text messages and blogs to solve problems.

“I like it because if I need help, I can communicate with someone else in the classroom,” student Kendall Sorrell said.

The smart phone program has been so successful that the schools applied for and received a large grant to bring even more technology in.

Students will get netbooks, which are mini laptop computers. The $2.5 million grant will provide 2,200 netbooks to algebra students.

“We’re going to look at a software set,” Onslow County schools Assistant Superintendent Lesley Eason said. “We’re going to look at a teacher monitor tool. We’re going to look at those social connections.”

Administrators say the technology is making a big impact.

The netbook grant is from the Department of Defense. Students will begin receiving the computers in January.

All the technology used by students has monitoring software on it to ensure that students are using it appropriately.