No one knows what the future of education holds — but upgrading to WiFi 6 can help school districts be prepared for whatever comes next.
The world is changing fast — especially when it comes to technology. In order for the next generation of students to be able to keep up, schools need to prepare them for the increasingly tech-focused workforce they will be entering after they graduate.
We at Turn-key Technologies, Inc. (TTI) understand that children are our future. We believe that to give them the best possible leg up, we need to make sure their classrooms are prepared for the most advanced technologies possible. That’s why we’re proud to be partnering with educational institutions like the Octorara Area School District in Pennsylvania to implement the best of what network technology has to offer. With the help of Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, TTI is bringing WiFi 6 (802.11ax) to schools on the cutting-edge of progress.
How Schools Can Benefit From WiFi 6
WiFi 6 represents the newest generation of wireless network technology. As schools begin to see more WiFi-enabled devices incorporated into curricula, they will need stronger networks. Compared to WiFi 5, WiFi 6 networks will boost capacity, increase connectivity, and provide faster speeds — while also reducing energy consumption and costs. Altogether, updating to WiFi 6 is a great choice for schools looking to integrate technology into their classrooms.
The challenge with implementing WiFi 6 technology is that it can be difficult to overhaul existing wireless — especially when attempting to avoid downtime while school is in session. Luckily, schools that are working with TTI to bring Aruba’s WiFi 6 access points into their institutions are finding the process to be simple. TTI’s partnership with the Octorara Area School District highlights how schools can usher in the future of education.
Implementing a 1:1 Device Policy
The four schools in the Octorara Area School District have employed a 1:1 student-device initiative in which each student receives an iPad or Chromebook to be utilized for educational purposes. This allows teachers to use a “bring-your-own-device” policy to plan tech-enabled lessons in their classrooms. This is an exciting, progressive strategy that has been shown to positively impact student learning.
The 1:1 program boosts students’ 21st century skills to prepare them for an increasingly digital world. But not only does it improve technology fluency, it has also been shown to enhance students’ academic achievement in general — resulting in a statistically significant impact on students’ test scores in math, science, and writing. 1:1 also increases student engagement in the classroom, increases project-based and student-centered instruction, and helps build stronger relationships between teachers and students. Overall, it gives students a greater sense of ownership and personalization in their education, which can increase their excitement about learning.
A Trusted Partner for Next Generation Capabilities
For the Octorara Area School District, the benefits of WiFi 6 in supporting their 1:1 program were clear. Though district leaders were excited about the prospect of next generation educational policies, they understood that 1:1 required a serious investment on behalf of the district. To ensure their investments were in good hands, Octorara’s leaders turned to TTI to help them deploy Aruba’s new WiFi 6 APs.
Robert Czetli, director of IT for Octorara Area School District, knew it was the perfect time for Octorara to move to WiFi 6. “We had an opportunity to capitalize on eRate and district funding to future-proof our network with the latest technology on the market and to be amongst the first globally to do so,” he said. “My goals as a technology leader aligned perfectly with those of our Superintendent’s to provide our staff and students the chance to push and explore educational possibilities without limitations. While no one can really predict how our classroom needs might change, deploying the Aruba Wi-Fi 6 APs gives us the confidence that we can meet these challenges.”
In order to keep up with the rapidly changing education landscape, schools need to ensure that they have the best possible WiFi. To support that WiFi, they will need the best possible hardware. With nearly thirty years of experience deploying the latest network solutions in educational institutes, our experts can help prepare your school for the future. Whether your school is ready to make the move or simply beginning to consider a 1:1 initiative, the award-winning engineers at TTI can support your journey to provide your students with the best of what technology has to offer.
