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06/27/2007Wireless and Education: Unrelated or Inseparable?
At first glance, wireless broadband and education may seem unrelated. On closer look, however, they are intertwined and perhaps inseparable. In my first post on W2i.com, I will frame out some of the relationships and programs that shape the dialogue, leaving plenty of runway to deepen the discussion over the coming months. For K-12, libraries, and higher education, wireless broadband is an educational tool, like a pencil and paper for taking notes; like a book or a whole library of reference resources. it is the new blackboard for PowerPoint presentations and blogs. It is the portable calculator for higher-level math, but with tools that support every subject taught. And it an art department of glue and supplies for creating digital and physical masterpieces. Wireless can also support increased collaboration for schools that strongly align technology with educational goals. Fairfax County Public Schools has leveraged broadband, software, systems and the entire educational community to create a collaboration tool — the 24x7 Learning System — that allows students access to school resources and each other 24/7. Students belong to collaboration groups where they can participate in a book talk, work on a project, or stay current on intramural sports schedules. The impact that portable broadband and portable computing will have on K-12 education is only beginning to be shaped by educational leaders. While only a tool supporting strong curriculum leadership and teaching, wireless computing is a tool without bounds. For broadband and more generally for Information and Communication Technology (ICT), educators are opening the world of computing and the Web to students and families with programs like Boston's Technology Goes Home , which makes technology education a family affair. Technology Goes Home provides students the opportunity for students to take twenty-five hours of computer literacy training with their parent or guardian. Graduates have the opportunity to purchase a PC at preferred rates and with a zero-interest loan. 87% of participants report a significant increase in the connection to the community as a direct result of the program. Schools are anchor tenants in broadband and wireless-broadband projects. Examples include the emerging OpenCape program in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and the more established OneCommunity program, a regional initiative covering Cleveland and northeast Ohio that aggregates demand from nonprofits and other community organizations to increase affordable wireless bandwidth and create a platform for innovation. Higher education is the hub of the totally mobile user, making college students leading consumers of Wi-Fi services. At Arizona State University in Tempe, students provide the foundation of the business case for Kite Networks, where ASU, the City of Tempe, and MetroFi joined together to launch a citywide network . In Philadelphia, EarthLink and Drexel University just inked a deal to offer students a preferred-access rate on the EarthLink Wireless Philadelphia network as an extension of Drexel's Dragonfly network. Programs that push the boundaries in virtual teaching or distance learning are being pioneered around the country. One leading example is the Rio Rancho Cyber Academy in New Mexico. By combing a traditional bricks-and-mortar school with a rich set of virtual classes, Rio Rancho has created a rich, flexible and very individualized learning opportunity that supports students who want enrichment courses, who need remediation programs, who are in rural districts, who have disabilities, and who have intense sports or personal schedules. Online curriculum partnered with faculty support provides an option that works for many Sandoval County students. In additional to driving technical innovation, universities are driving business innovation around wireless programs. In advance of the wireless deployment in Forsyth County, Wake Forest University partnered with WinstonNet to create an MBA course, titled Creativity and Feasibility of a Wireless Community Network. Student teams explored issues and developed white papers and program concepts related to sustainablity and cultural, social and economic development for pervasive wireless. Professors and students are our lead researchers in quantifying the gaps and measuring progress toward addressing digital inclusion and access. Researchers at the California State University at Los Angles recently completed an extensive analysis of the geography of technology isolation in Los Angeles. Wireless and Education - integrated learning, lead customers, anchor tenants, distance learning, community leaders and educators, innovators, market researchers, community partners... we'll have plenty to blog about. Add your comments to suggest topics to explore and watch for upcoming entries. Karen Archer Perry is founder and principal of Karacomm, based in New Jersey. She chaired the Wireless in Education Roundtable at the Digital Cities Convention in Chicago , May 22–23, 2007.
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Related Items:
• Maine InfoNet
• Duke University Plans Record 802.11n Deployment
• Four Wireless-Enabled Applications at the Metropolitan Scale
• Wireless in Education Roundtable: Discovery Session 2 Summary
Comments
Lynda Goff
Karen has done a great job of laying the foundation for discussions on how technology and education go hand in hand. Her vast experience and insight in this field gives us a great perspective about what is going on around the US. WinstonNet collaborates with many educational institutions, both higher ed and K12, on our technology projects and in particular - Wireless Winston. We believe that Internet connectivity is only the first step - the real goal is education and providing the opportunities for all citizens to be life long learners.
Lynda Goff, Executive Director, WinstonNet, Inc.
11:47 AM, 06/28/2007
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