Satellite Internet access and curricula improves High School SAT test scores by 38%

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PINE VALLEY, Calif., October 5, 2000 --- The Classroom for the 21st Century, located at Mt. Empire High School, within an underrepresented minority school district in San Diego County, was the site of a unique project in high-speed Internet connectivity and classroom modernization. Students in grades 10-12 were given access to cutting edge telecommunications with a goal of enrichment through science and technology. The results were dramatic. For those students who fall at the bottom third of their class, recently released test scores were 38 percent higher on the annual Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) than their non-Classroom 21 counterparts.

"These scores are an indication that the program helped those students most in need of academic enrichment," said Greg Ryan, school superintendent for the Mountain Empire district.

A new era in education

World Wide Wireless Web Corporation's (W4) high-speed Internet access satellite delivery system made it practical to bring advanced technology to Mt. Empire High School.

Providing internet connectivity for remote sites throughout the world, W4 joined the San Diego Supercomputer Center's (SDSC) Science & Technology Outreach program in 1999 to employ SDSC's advanced high-performance computing and communications (HPCC) infrastructure, including a satellite dish to link SDSC's networks with W4's Internet Satellite Access Program.

Fully equipped by W4 with new personal computers, printers, computer-friendly desks, and whiteboards, Classroom 21 offered classes ranging from English, government, and history to intermediate algebra and chemistry. The students spent approximately an hour per subject: conducting research via the Internet, learning how to use various software packages, and honing their typing and general research skills. In an effort to improve the students' communication and organization skills, they often convened their laboratory exercises in small groups and then summarized their team's research efforts in class presentations.

Participating students indicated that the first year of Classroom 21 was successful, as most of the high schoolers felt that their research, typing, communication, and overall academic skills had greatly improved. Several students reported an increase in their grades; for instance, one student said that she had a C in English and a D in History last year, while this year's grades increased to Bs in both subjects.

"A specific goal of this project was to determine if specific subjects could be taught better from the Web or from a standard classroom," said science teacher Roger Wynn, who served as Classroom 21 coordinator at Mountain Empire this year. "Our determination was that the Web access definitely benefited the majority of all participating students, particularly in the areas of history and English. One of our English teachers actually said that he could not imagine conducting his class without the Web now and hopes to have access again next year."

For more information on Classroom 21 and the outreach program, contact Steve Napear, SDSC Associate Director for Science & Technology Outreach, 619-534-8302 napear@sdsc.edu and/or Walt Johnson, President of W4 walt@w4.net

About W4

W4 is a San Diego, California-based company providing high-performance Internet access and value-added content services to schools, universities, and researchers. With its W4.NET, ISP affiliates reach under-served regions of the world using satellite, wireless local loop, and proprietary distribution technologies. The goal of W4 is to provide high-quality, reliable broadband Internet access to disenfranchised users. W4's remote Internet access offers users the necessary high-speed Internet access without waiting for the local service providers' infrastructure investments.

For more information about W4, please visit http://www.w4.net

Editorial Contacts
Walter Johnson
W4 Satellite Center
9670 Aero Drive
San Diego, California 92123
Tel: (858) 627-9994
Fax: (858) 627-9996
Email: gnbacon@w4.net

Administration: infoW4@W4.Net
Corporate Inquiries: bob@W4.Net
Investor Relations: court@W4.Net