Tag: Examining

Compared to home and business environments, computers in elementary and secondary schools are networked with little buzz or fanfare. School networks offer advantages to teachers and students, but this powerful tool comes with a price tag. Do schools use their networks effectively? Should all schools be fully networked, or are taxpayers not getting fair value from the effort to “get wired?”

The Promise

Schools can profit from computer networking in many of the same ways as corporations or families. Potential benefits include:

• Faster access to more information
• Improved communication and collaboration
• More convenient access to software tools

Theoretically, students exposed to a networked environment in school will be better prepared for future jobs in the industry. Networks can help teachers complete better online lesson plans and forms from various locations—multiple classrooms, staff lounges, and their homes. In short, the promise of school networks seems almost unlimited.