Compared to home and corporate environments, computers in elementary and middle schools are networked with little buzz or fanfare. School networking offers benefits for teachers and students, but this powerful tool comes at a price. Are schools using their networks effectively? Should all schools be fully networked, or are taxpayers not getting their fair share of the effort to “get wired”?
Introduction to Computer Networks
Schools can benefit from computer networks in many of the same ways as businesses or families. Potential benefits include:
Theoretically, students who are exposed to a networked environment in school are better prepared for future jobs in the industry. Networks can help teachers create better online lesson plans and forms from a variety of locations: multiple classrooms, staff lounges, and their homes. In short, the promise of school networking seems almost limitless.
Students and teachers are interested in working with network software applications such as Web browsers and e-mail clients. To support these applications, schools must first implement several other technologies. Collectively, these components are sometimes referred to as the architecture, framework, or infrastructure required to support end-user networks:
