Week 13 Reflection, Chapters 11 and 12.

2. What advantages can broad bandwidth and wireless networking offer schools? Describe the current technologies available for wireless connectivity.


Probably the largest advantage that broadband wireless networking offers to schools is cost efficiency. Currently, schools are spending tons of money retrofitting their buildings and offices with broadband internet via cable-based LAN. With the use of wireless technology, all of the retrofitting of buildings with necessary wires and cables will be obsolete. Through the use of a centralized source and wireless routers, a device comparable to the size of a textbook, wireless broadband can be broadcast across an entire campus for all students and faculty who are within range to use. This wireless internet, or Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) allows access to the internet for any student using laptop or desktop computers equipped with wireless network cards or those using devices which support Wi-Fi, such as PDAs and smart phones. Wi-Fi allows classrooms to become borderless, facilitating resources outside of textbooks and communications with other classes around the nation, or even the world. However, Wi-Fi is not perfect. Unlike wired LAN networks, Wi-Fi networks are not as secure and can be broken into by hackers through their personal computers. While security methods for Wi-Fi networks exist, it is important that schools take all necessary precautions in efforts to keep student information safe and private.

Along with Wi-Fi, schools are now beginning to outfit their computers, printers, scanners and other technologies with bluetooth. Bluetooth is a wireless communication technology that allows two or more devices to interact with each other without the use of cables or wires. For example, through a bluetooth connection, one could send a document from a computer to a printer without actually having the two devices connected physically. This allows for an entire class to share one printer or similar devices without having ten or twenty or thirty cables for each computer strewn about the room. However, bluetooth is still a new technology and not all devices come equipped with bluetooth capabilities out of the box. Separate devices are sold to allow a computer or printer or cell phone blue tooth capable, but having to buy enough of these individual devices for an entire school simply isn't currently cost effective.