Reader Forum: School of tech

Editor’s Note: Welcome to our weekly Reader Forum section. In an attempt to broaden our interaction with our readers we have created this forum for those with something meaningful to say to the wireless industry. We want to keep this as open as possible, but maintain some editorial control so as to keep it free of commercials or attacks. Please send along submissions for this section to our editors at: [email protected] [email protected].
Recent developments in technology are rapidly changing the way that educators teach and create curriculums and how students process information and communicate with each other. Students and teachers are increasingly using mobile devices – such as smartphones, the Kindle and iPad – in addition to their desktop and laptop computers for their academic interests.
Recent reports from the top universities have shown that campuses are investigating how to best incorporate the latest technologies, specifically mobile devices, into their curriculums. With devices like the Kindle and iPad poised to potentially revolutionize education, schools will need to prepare themselves to support increased Internet bandwidth demands both on and off campus. The Illinois Institute of Technology recently announced that all incoming freshman will receive the Apple iPad and instructors will build applications specific to their courses. NPR reported a few weeks ago that an Arizona school district installed wireless routers in their school buses for students who have long commutes.
Schools will continue to face the challenge of implementing high-speed Internet access for students and faculty without requiring major infrastructural build-out and additional costs. One solution that many schools have found to be particularly useful is setting up a wireless Internet connection, as it adapts to the existing campus set-up, does not require heavy installation and can be turned up in a matter of minutes if more bandwidth is needed.
Our mobile devices are only as good as the Internet connection that supports them, so my advice to schools that are contemplating adopting e-readers for their students, would be to make sure that the Internet capabilities of the campus are ready to support a massive influx of data requirements.