With each passing academic year, technology is playing a larger and larger role in education, as teachers and administrators seek to improve teaching and learning by making effective use of the latest computing devices and online tools. In some cases, they have little choice, as some regions and countries are adopting mandatory tests offered online, forcing schools to ensure students have appropriate devices and Internet access.
All of this activity is causing schools to take a fresh look at their technology infrastructure. In many cases, they find that infrastructure needs a significant refresh, to increase overall bandwidth and reliability. The good news is that some governments help subsidize the cost. For instance, in the United States, the federal E-rate program reimburses up to 90% of the services and infrastructure related to providing Internet and telecommunications services.
Such funds provide welcome relief to schools dealing with trends including the move to 1:1 computing, use of online resources in the classroom, and the advent of online standardized tests. Read more