Back To School: How WiFi Is Improving Education
By John Oncea, Editor
WiFi has changed, well, everything and the world of education has benefited from its presence as much as any industry. Exactly how WiFi is being used – and will be used in the future – can make all the difference to a student, as well as the teachers guiding them.
Fall is here, hear the yell
Back to school, ring the bell
Brand new shoes, walking blues
Climb the fence, books, and pens
I can tell that we are gonna be friends
I can tell that we are gonna be friends
Released by the White Stripes in 2002, We Are Going to Be Friends tells the simple story of an unnamed boy and his friend, Suzy Lee, walking to school together, enjoying the simple things in life we as adults take for granted. It’s a beautiful little song, one that hits a little harder this time of year as children across the country walk through the park and by the tree and end up at school with dirt on their uniforms from chasing all the ants and worms.
In some districts, this occurs as early as the middle of July. In others, back-to-school comes in early September. But, regardless of when school starts, technology is becoming more and more prevalent. This includes WiFi, a technology that has significantly benefited education and is poised to continue transforming the learning landscape in the future.
The Integration Of Technology Into Education
Education is constantly evolving, incorporating technologies – including those from the 19th century – to transform both teaching methods and learning experiences. Smart classrooms have become increasingly common, featuring interactive whiteboards, educational apps, and various digital tools that teachers can utilize to enhance their lessons, writes Meraki. Teachers now use devices like laptops, tablets, and smartphones in the classroom for lesson planning and student observations.
eLearning Industry adds the internet has made education more individualized and adaptable to different learning styles. Online learning platforms and adaptive technologies can personalize learning experiences based on a student’s skills, weaknesses, and preferred learning methods.
In addition, students and researchers now have access to vast online resources, databases, and academic publications, revolutionizing the research process and enabling more in-depth exploration of topics. Internet connectivity has allowed for cultural exchange and collaboration between students and institutions worldwide, fostering a global perspective in education.
WiFi has been of critical importance as school districts have become more reliant on technology, enabling:
- Virtual classrooms and video conferencing for remote learning, which became especially crucial during school shutdowns
- Online testing and assessments
- Digital libraries where students can access e-books and online databases
- Collaborative learning platforms that allow students to work together on projects and engage in discussions, regardless of their physical location
Administrators are reaping the benefits of WiFi as well, using it to access and manage student records, as well as for scheduling, staff communication, and HR tasks more effectively. Because of WiFi, schools are safer because of the implementation of security cameras and surveillance devices, contactless entry systems, and online platforms for parent-teacher communication about student progress and school events.
Of course, like all technologies WiFi has come with its share of challenges and considerations. While it has brought numerous benefits, WiFi also presents challenges, including:
- Need for reliable, high-speed connectivity: Schools require business-grade WiFi to support the increased technological demands
- Cybersecurity: Educational institutions have become prime targets for cyberattacks due to the sensitive data they manage
- Digital literacy: Teachers and students need to develop skills to effectively use these technologies
- Equity concerns: Ensuring equal access to technology and internet connectivity for all students remains a challenge
Despite these challenges, WiFi is only going to become more integral to modern education, transforming teaching methods, expanding learning opportunities, and preparing students for a digital future. As a result, more attention is going to have to be given to ongoing investment in infrastructure, security, and digital skills development.
A Deeper Dive Into Current Uses Of WiFi In Schools
WiFi technology has come a long way since its inception, with each new generation offering faster speeds and improved connectivity. The latest WiFi 7 standard, formally approved in January 2024, brings groundbreaking advancements to wireless technology. While WiFi 7 devices are still emerging, WiFi 6 and 6E remain the most common standards supported by new equipment in 2024.
For students, these advancements mean faster download and upload speeds for research and assignments, improved performance in high-density environments like lecture halls and libraries, and better support for bandwidth-intensive applications such as video conferencing and virtual labs.
As students gear up for another academic year, WiFi is poised to play an increasingly crucial role in enhancing the educational experience. From high-speed internet connections to smart classrooms, these technologies are transforming how students learn and interact.
The internet has made education more individualized and adaptable to different learning styles. Online learning platforms and adaptive technologies can personalize learning experiences based on student's skills, weaknesses, and preferred learning methods. Other benefits provided by the increased usage of WiFi in education include:
- Increased Access to Learning Resources: WiFi has dramatically improved students’ access to online learning materials, research papers, and educational content. This wealth of information allows for more comprehensive and up-to-date learning experiences.
- Enhanced Collaboration: WiFi enables students to easily share documents, work on group projects, and communicate with peers and teachers, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
- Flexible Learning Environments: Wireless connectivity allows for more flexible classroom setups and enables learning to occur anywhere on campus, including outdoor spaces.
- Improved Student Engagement: WiFi-enabled devices and interactive learning tools have increased student engagement in the classroom.
- Personalized Learning: WiFi supports 1:1 learning initiatives, allowing for more personalized education experiences tailored to individual student needs.
- Enhanced Teacher Resources: Teachers benefit from improved access to lesson planning materials, student management systems, and professional development resources.
The benefits of WiFi are helping to enable a range of smart campus applications, too. These include RFID-enabled student ID cards for access control and attendance tracking, wireless sensors for energy management and building automation, and Bluetooth beacons for indoor navigation and location-based services. These solutions contribute to more efficient and interactive learning environments.
Future Benefits Of WiFi In Education
As educational technology continues to evolve, robust WiFi networks will be crucial for supporting emerging tools and applications, including AI-powered learning assistants and virtual reality experiences. Future WiFi-enabled systems may allow for better tracking of student progress and early intervention for those who may be struggling.
As education continues to blend in-person and remote experiences, high-performance WiFi will be essential for creating seamless hybrid learning environments. In addition, improved WiFi infrastructure will help bridge the digital divide, providing more equitable access to educational resources for all students.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is also likely to play a larger role in education, with WiFi supporting connected devices for everything from attendance tracking to building management. Robust WiFi networks will enable the collection and analysis of large amounts of data, helping educators and administrators make more informed decisions about curriculum, resource allocation, and student support.
WiFi has already revolutionized education by providing unprecedented access to information, fostering collaboration, and enabling new forms of learning. As technology continues to advance, WiFi will play an increasingly critical role in supporting innovative educational practices and ensuring that students have the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world.
Shout Out To All The Teachers Out There
WiFi and the internet it enables are recognized as revolutionary learning resources, providing vast amounts of information to students and teachers alike. However, it is primarily a source of information rather than a means of education itself.
While the internet can be likened to an electronic library, it generally cannot replace schools or teachers. Only a small minority of people may be able to educate themselves using the internet alone fully.
Research suggests that online college education, at best, produces outcomes comparable to average in-person instruction. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that mandatory online education across all age groups negatively impacted student achievement compared to in-person schooling.
The primary difference between internet-based learning and formal education is the role of human instructors. Teachers provide a structured curriculum, curate relevant materials, organize topics sequentially, and assess student learning.
Learning requires more than just access to information. It necessitates the ability to process and apply knowledge in a structured manner, which is typically guided by an instructor. Self-taught learning, while valuable, often lacks the comprehensiveness and rigor of formal education. It may leave knowledge gaps that the learner is unaware of.
The issue of misinformation on the internet highlights the importance of having qualified instructors to curate reliable information and guide learners. While the internet is an invaluable resource for learning, it complements rather than replaces traditional education systems. The human element in teaching remains crucial for providing structure, guidance, and comprehensive learning experiences.