MOBILITY, CONNECTIVITY

Transcription

1 EDUCATION PLAYBOOK MOBILITY, CONNECTIVITY ESSENTIAL FOR SCHOOL 1:1 DEPLOYMENTS sponsor Education

2 For school 1:1 programs, mobility and connectivity are essential for educating students for the future. Students today grow up accustomed to having information at their fingertips: A study from the Pew Research Center shows that by the teenage years, almost 80% of students have a cell phone and a quarter of students have a tablet computer. 1 Because the world today is connected and mobile, students have high expectations when it comes to technology at school. The ubiquity of technology means that students are eager to communicate using online tools and learn with the help of apps and videos. Mobile devices and high-speed Internet access in schools open a world of possibilities for students allowing them to access high-quality educational content online and learn at their own pace, for example. Mobile devices and connectivity have already helped improve education in dramatic ways, preparing students for the digital workforce of the future. 1 Pew Research Center Teens and Privacy. Retrieved from pewinternet.org/2013/03/13/teens-and-technology-2013/ Education 2

3 Mobile devices allow students to learn in a contemporary way, with the many tools and resources of the Internet at their disposal much in the same way that adults work in their jobs today. - Douglas Levin Mobile devices allow for anytime, VIRTUAL learning. When robust wireless Internet access is combined with mobile devices such as notebook or netbook computers, tablets, or smartphones, students have the opportunity to learn virtually wherever they are at home, in school, over breaks, and even during their commutes. Tablets in particular are quickly being adopted by schools across the country. Schools have had computer labs for decades, but mobility is now an option, and at a price point where it s affordable for some schools to provide devices for all students, says Douglas Levin, executive director of the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA). Mobile devices allow students to learn in a contemporary way, with the many tools and resources of the Internet at their disposal much in the same way that adults work in their jobs today. Mobile devices also give teachers freedom to move around a classroom with ease, offering individual help to students as they learn. Education 3

4 Connectivity accelerates learning at school and at home. High-speed wireless Internet access can take learning to a new level, giving students and teachers access to a plethora of educational content that s now available online (and often for free!). More than half of students in grade six through 12 use the Internet at home to help them with their homework, according to a recent study. 2 That s why, as more classrooms shift to online learning, it s critical for schools to address the digital divide and help as many students as possible attain Internet access both at home and at school. High-speed Internet access is about equity, says Zach Leverenz, CEO of EveryoneOn.org, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing affordable, high-speed Internet access to Americans who don t have it. We re in the midst of a national transition to digital learning. There s an assumption that students will have 24/7 access to the Internet, and it s becoming a necessity. In its 2012 report, The Broadband Imperative, SETDA called high-speed broadband as vital a component of K-12 school infrastructure as electricity, plumbing, air conditioning, and heating. Dr. Matthew Conway, superintendent of Connecticut s Derby Public Schools, which recently began working with Sprint to roll out a 1:1 laptop program for students in grades six through 12, explains, When you switch over to digital learning, you can unintentionally widen the achievement gap by making it difficult for students who don t have Internet at home to access school curriculum. Derby s program includes a strong, reliable wireless network at school and a mobile data plan for each device, allowing students to access the Internet when they re outside of school. Sprint provided the devices, and worked with the school to prepare its Wifi This program gives all students 100% connectivity virtually wherever they are, so it really levels the playing field. - Matthew Conway 2 Project Tomorrow Things Everyone Should Know About K-12 Students Views on Digital Learning. Retrieved from Education 4

5 network for the increased demand that comes with a fleet of mobile devices. Outside of school, the Sprint network made it possible for the students to have access to the Sprint 3G and 4G LTE networks, where available, when at home, while maintaining the school s safety filtering off-campus. Sprint s Wireless Campus Manager made it easy for the school to manage the devices, establish safety filtering for the entire fleet and help ensure their security. We provide the devices and the network that are the core of a successful 1:1 program, says Rob Nugent, senior product marketing manager at Sprint. Once those elements are in place, the school community has access to the incredible stores of educational content that are online. The WiFi connectivity is designed around the school s traffic and number of users, so the school is prepared to make a smooth transition to 1:1. And with a wireless data plan, when school closes, learning doesn t stop. Conway says, This program gives all students 100% connectivity virtually wherever they are, so it really levels the playing field. The level of rigor has gone way up, and we re more in touch with our students needs than we ever have been. - Matthew Conway The devices and connectivity have had a major impact on learning. The level of rigor has gone way up, and we re more in touch with our students needs than we ever have been, stated Conway. Teachers can see what students are doing in real time, and where they re struggling, so then the teachers adapt their approaches accordingly. Yet, schools often run into roadblocks when preparing their wireless networks to handle more devices. Major infrastructure upgrades are often required before rolling out a 1:1 program, and these upgrades put schools Education 5

6 small IT staffs under significant stress. The majority of districts do not have a full-time technology leader. If the network isn t properly equipped, it can render the school s new mobile devices useless and bring learning to a standstill. Working with a wireless provider that can provide a turnkey solution including a robust wireless network at school and outside of school through a 3G or 4G network off-campus can be a convenient option for schools. Conway states, Without a network provider, we would not have been able to do the 1:1 program, because we are a small district with only two people in our tech department, and almost 1,000 devices to manage. Mobile device management (MDM) ensures data is secure and content is educational. With wireless 3G or 4G access at home, students can continue the digitally powered learning that started during their schools days whether it s watching an educational video, doing research on teacher-approved websites, or collaborating with classmates using online tools. We provide the devices and the network that are the core of a successful 1:1 program. - Rob Nugent When a school sets up a wireless network for 1:1, security is always a top priority. Students need access to approved websites and apps, and inappropriate content needs to be blocked. This requires advanced filtering technology that will work both at school and at home. Schools are required to comply with both the Children s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), Education 6

7 A good MDM system allows a school or district to control an entire fleet of devices from a single computer. which requires that schools block access to harmful and obscene content, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which protects the privacy of students educational records. 3-4 To simplify compliance with both of these laws, schools need a mobile device management (MDM) system that is secure and reliable. A good MDM system allows a school or district to control an entire fleet of devices from a single computer. CIPA-compliant filtering is built in, and teachers and IT personnel can create customized blocked and approved lists for websites. While a student is on campus, advanced filtering blocks social media sites. With location technology, these restrictions are lifted when the student leaves. Software and curriculum updates can easily be sent out to all mobile devices. With an MDM, the flexibility in filtering is fantastic, Conways says. Staff can have access to different sites than students do, for instance. When students are carrying mobile devices between home and school, loss and theft are always an issue. The MDM allows a school or district administrator to remotely wipe any mobile device, keeping the student s data safe. 3 Children s Internet Protection Act, Pub. L. No , Print. 4 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Pub. L. No. 34, 99. Print. Education 7

8 ConnectED prepares U.S. schools for learning in the digital age. In February, 2014 Sprint joined the White House and other leaders in the technology and telecommunications community to announce its participation in the ConnectED initiative a collaborative effort designed to reduce the digital divide. Sprint has committed to provide high-speed wireless broadband service for up to 50,000 students at schools across the country starting in August, 2014 and over the next four years. These students will have access to Sprint s high-speed wireless broadband Spark service outside the classroom allowing them to take advantage of the mobile learning curriculum and resources of their educational institutions. Learn more about ConnectED and Sprint by visiting: Sprint.com/connectED Education 8

9 CONCLUSION School leaders, teachers, and parents are all concerned about preparing students for the future a future in which the Internet and mobile technology will undoubtedly play important roles. Mobile devices in schools prepare students for this connected, mobile future, helping them learn in ways that feel relevant, engaging, and up-to-date. Online educational resources such as videos and apps have exploded in recent years, and connected, mobile devices give students access to these tools. At the same time, mobile learning can present challenges for school districts, such as funding, infrastructure, and security. There are an increasing number of solutions that address these challenges and help school districts make a smooth transition to 1:1. With the right supports in place, mobile learning can transform the way students learn. Education 9

10 Sprint offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers and businesses. Wireless connections and information technology are woven into our daily lives. With these connections come power, and possibilities. At Sprint, we strive to connect people to what they want and dream of. School districts are constantly searching for business solution providers who can handle their demanding and distributed environments. By choosing Sprint, you get a complete package of tailored solutions and innovations from a company with a strong history of supporting K-12 education. Find out why so many schools have chosen Sprint to meet their unique needs. Sprint.com/k12 Solutions: Available on select devices and may require add l plans/fees. Other Terms: Coverage not available everywhere. Sprint 3G network reaches over 282 million people. Sprint 4G LTE network reaches over 260 million people. Restrictions apply Sprint. All rights reserved. Sprint and the logo are trademarks of Sprint. Other marks are the property of their respective owners.