Week Thirteen Reflection Question

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

Wireless networking enables two or more computers to communicate using standard network protocols. Wireless networks utilize radio waves instead of network cables to maintain communication channels. The analogy the textbook uses is the connection between cell phones and the telephone company (although it does point out that the technologies are different).Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can fit through the connection at one time. Bandwidth is expressed in bits per second (bps). Broad bandwidth allows a large amount of data to travel through the connection. Currently, broad bandwidth id categorized as 512kbps upload and 256 kbps download. However, this will continue to change as technology increases. The best way to understand bandwidth is to use the analogy of a highway. Narrow bandwidth is your standard two lane road. Mid bandwidth is your four lane highway, but broad bandwidth is a 20 lane superhighway.

The first advantage to wireless networks is the mobility provided. Previously, data had to travel over network cabling. This required schools to spend large amounts of money retrofitting their buildings, and allowed network access only at specified points. But wireless technology allows connections anywhere. It would be impossible to run cabling to a moving car or an in flight airplane. But this limitation no longer exists in the wireless world. In the school setting, this means the teacher is not restricted by the location of the cable nodes. This allows for greater flexibility and capability to arrange the instructional environment. In conjunction with the wireless networks, broad bandwidth significantly increases our ability to communicate. The ability to broadcast to homebound students, or to connect live to other classrooms are relatively new advances directly related to improvements in wireless and broadband technologies. Audio-conferencing and especially video-conferencing were unheard of twenty years ago. Now, we have the capability to connect to anyone at anytime. Imagine teaching a science class on igneous and sedimentary rocks, and being able to connect to the foremost expert in the world on the subject. The ability to ask direct questions and receive direct feedback increases the educational experience exponentially. Wireless and broadband technologies give teachers access to instructional videos and live broadcasts instantaneously. Large files no longer take three hours to download. Videos are no longer so grainy (low resolution) that you almost have to guess at what is happening. While these are some of the advantages to wireless and broadband technologies, the biggest advantage is the potential for limitless connections. As technology continues to improve, so will the gains in education.

Presently, there are two technologies available for wireless connectivity. The first is WiFi (wireless fidelity). WiFi is based on the 802.11 standard, the standard set for wireless local area network (LAN) technology. Using radio frequencies set aside for consumer use, WiFi can offer connectivity across a school campus in hardware barely larger than a textbook. The other technology is Bluetooth, which allows diverse types of electronic devices to communicate with one another. Using Bluetooth compliant devices, a personal area network (PAN) is automatically established, operating in the short range, usually up to 30 feet. Within the PAN, devices can share data or interconnect, so that one device controls another. In the classroom, all the computers can print to a single printer, the students can gather or record data on their PDAs, take digital picture, and then transfer the data to computers, without the need of cables.