EIPS schools have gone wireless

Using school laptops, students can access the Internet wirelessly from anywhere on their school’s campus

Posted By Michael Di Massa News Staff

Posted 21 days ago

All Elk Island Public Schools have officially gone wireless.

Beginning last year, more than 40 EIPS schools have been retrofitted to allow for Internet access anywhere on campus through a wireless local area network.

Schools have also received three smartboards each and 16 laptops stationed on rolling carts in a $3 million upgrade project under the EIPS 21st Century Technology Initiative.

As a result of the initiative, "A student working on a research assignment in the library could continue that research in the classroom, lunchroom or even in a shady corner of the courtyard," said Edna Dach, EIPS director of technology services.

Dach said the wireless access also opens up the opportunity for teachers to access the Internet in their classrooms for a lesson without having to rely on access to computer labs.

Additionally, improved access to the Internet will help teach students about critical thinking and inquiry skills when researching projects or subjects, she said.

According to EIPS, the district is one of a few school divisions in Alberta that offers wireless Internet access to students.

Currently, EIPS students cannot connect their own electronic devices to their school's Internet service, but there are plans for them to be able to do that under a guest account in the future, Dach said.

Should that aspect of the wireless initiative go live, Dach said EIPS schools will teach students about digital citizenship to ensure they don't access questionable content while at school.

"I think it's very similar to when students bring other devices into our schools," Dach said of enforcement, noting that students can be disciplined.

She pointed to a pilot program at Lakeland school where students in Grades 7 through 9 were given access to school laptops and allowed to take them home at night. "And we haven't had an issue."

She noted students could also use their iPods or other electronic devices to download educational video clips and that teachers will monitor Internet activity while in the classroom.

"I think what we're doing is providing the infrastructure with the wireless access so students can be use the technology to meet their schools in all subject areas and no matter at what age level," Dach said. "We're pretty excited."

mdimassa@sherwoodparknews.com