This Associated Press article provides a great example of what is possible with high-speed broadband access in schools. The story outlines the transition of a rural Louisiana high school to a fiber optic network, which has allowed the students in the school to engage in new learning opportunities, such as access to streaming high-definition video, lessons taught by experts, as well as virtual field trips.
The high school is one of the first in the state to be hooked up to the network with the goal of eventually including all K-12 schools in the state, according to officials at Louisiana Public Broadcasting, which is helping spearhead the initiative. Students at the school are also taking part in a program called FiberKids, which encourages them to explore new ways of learning through fiber optic technologies.
This story is a really great example of the way that schools can tap into high-speed broadband technologies by partnering with organizations to build out already-existing networks. As I’ve heard many times before from ed-tech broadband advocates, when looking into how to secure a high-speed Internet connection for schools, it’s a good idea to explore the broadband initiatives in your area, including higher ed. institutions, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, as well as coalitions that are working on expanding broadband access.