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Wireless Technology

To Wire or Not to Wire. . . That is the Question

Presentation by : Tracy Chapman

What is Wireless Technology?What is Wireless Technology? ““Wireless Technology” can refer to a myriad of Wireless Technology” can refer to a myriad of

wireless electronic devices (phones, palm pilots, wireless electronic devices (phones, palm pilots, keyboards, etc.).keyboards, etc.).

HoweverHowever. . . . . . The focus of this presentation is The focus of this presentation is the world of wireless computers. the world of wireless computers. More specifically,More specifically, laptops in the laptops in the classroom.classroom.

Imagine This. . .Imagine This. . .

There you are, sitting on a park bench There you are, sitting on a park bench enjoying the warm, spring, noonday enjoying the warm, spring, noonday sun on an extended lunch break sun on an extended lunch break .. All All

the while, you are accessing the the while, you are accessing the internet via a port placed internet via a port placed

strategically nearby for your strategically nearby for your convenience. convenience.

Too good to be true? Not anymore.Too good to be true? Not anymore.

““Oh, the Places It’ll Go”Oh, the Places It’ll Go” Kids on campus, Kids on campus,

folks at work, folks at work,

people in restaurants, people in restaurants,

latte-slurping jerks.latte-slurping jerks.

They all use wireless, They all use wireless,

use wireless I say. use wireless I say.

They all use wireless, They all use wireless,

use wireless today!use wireless today!

Kids on Campus. . .Kids on Campus. . .• Many universities are requiring incoming Many universities are requiring incoming

freshmen to have wireless capable laptop freshmen to have wireless capable laptop computers. Whether on campus or at nearby computers. Whether on campus or at nearby locations, students are able to access the campus locations, students are able to access the campus network via the internet.network via the internet.

• Restaurants and coffee Restaurants and coffee houses are also catering to houses are also catering to the wireless savvy public by the wireless savvy public by installing ports that make installing ports that make internet access possible from internet access possible from wireless laptop computers.wireless laptop computers.

Top Ten Reasons to Top Ten Reasons to Use Laptops in the ClassroomUse Laptops in the Classroom10. Portable network/internet access10. Portable network/internet access 9. Socio-economic status is not a factor.9. Socio-economic status is not a factor. 8. More project based, hands on learning8. More project based, hands on learning 7. Writing has more appeal.7. Writing has more appeal. 6. Integrated lessons in all subject areas6. Integrated lessons in all subject areas 5. Teachers lecture less.5. Teachers lecture less. 4. Students gain competitive advantage.4. Students gain competitive advantage. 3. Paperless3. Paperless 2. High time on task2. High time on task 1. No Wires!1. No Wires!

Look Before You LeapLook Before You LeapPrior to implementation, consider the Prior to implementation, consider the

following:following: Resistance to changeResistance to change Cost for implementationCost for implementation Staff DevelopmentStaff Development Alignment to your school’s missionAlignment to your school’s mission Information/privacy securityInformation/privacy security Hardware managementHardware management Staff commitment to use of technology for Staff commitment to use of technology for

meaningful meaningful lessonslessons

Can You Put a Price on Can You Put a Price on Learning?Learning?

Infrastructure - Wireless Infrastructure - Wireless has to include some has to include some wires.wires.

Hardware/SoftwareHardware/Software Ports (access points) Ports (access points)

need to be installed. The need to be installed. The number of ports depends number of ports depends on the size and on the size and availability to the school availability to the school population.population.

Staff development could Staff development could involve upwards of 120 involve upwards of 120 hours (Will they be paid a hours (Will they be paid a stipend?).stipend?).

Technical supportTechnical support

The School Library Media Specialist’s The School Library Media Specialist’s RoleRole

Essentially, the SLMS’s job would be to manage Essentially, the SLMS’s job would be to manage hardware and assist with staff development.hardware and assist with staff development.

Management of Hardware:Management of Hardware: Assign bar codes to Assign bar codes to

laptopslaptops Devise a checkout system Devise a checkout system

for teachersfor teachers Conduct inventoryConduct inventory Store materialsStore materials Call for technical support Call for technical support

as neededas needed

Staff Development: Assess needs Plan/organize workshops Monitor technology trends Serve as wireless liaison Encourage usage Assist in lesson planning

Research Says. . .Research Says. . . The research that I have found suggests that the The research that I have found suggests that the

best way to make the most of wireless best way to make the most of wireless technology is to marry your current wired technology is to marry your current wired facilities with a rolling lab, which would include facilities with a rolling lab, which would include enough laptops for each student in a classroom enough laptops for each student in a classroom setting.setting.

Also, teachers MUST be willing to change the Also, teachers MUST be willing to change the way they teach in order to best utilize these way they teach in order to best utilize these resources.resources.

A major emphasis in schools that implement A major emphasis in schools that implement wireless technology is the use of effective wireless technology is the use of effective integrated units, not just using technology for integrated units, not just using technology for technology’s sake.technology’s sake.

To Wire or Not to Wire?To Wire or Not to Wire? As a classroom teacher, I see As a classroom teacher, I see

wireless technology as having wireless technology as having endless possibilities. Students are endless possibilities. Students are more engaged in learning and more engaged in learning and better prepared for the ever better prepared for the ever changing world of technology. I changing world of technology. I would be “Pro Wireless” because I would be “Pro Wireless” because I see myself as a flexible teacher, see myself as a flexible teacher, computer literate, and willing to go computer literate, and willing to go the extra mile if it means success the extra mile if it means success for my students.for my students.

To Wire or Not to Wire?To Wire or Not to Wire? If I were the SLMS, I would If I were the SLMS, I would

again be “Pro Wireless”. It is again be “Pro Wireless”. It is important for the SLMS to be important for the SLMS to be capable of functioning in a capable of functioning in a technology rich environment. technology rich environment. However, I feel strongly about However, I feel strongly about merging a wired system with merging a wired system with several wireless labs. Issues several wireless labs. Issues such as funding and staff such as funding and staff resistance make this solution resistance make this solution more feasible.more feasible.

While wireless is an attractive option, it must be While wireless is an attractive option, it must be carefully considered. Your site must be willing to carefully considered. Your site must be willing to invest a considerable amount of cost and time in invest a considerable amount of cost and time in

order to have a successful implementation.order to have a successful implementation.

“Science and technology multiply around us. To an increasing extent they dictate the languages in which we speak and think. Either we use those

languages, or we remain mute.” - J.G. Ballard, British novelist