Schools need great WiFi and strong security to support digital learning initiatives. But they also face budget constraints.
IT network infrastructure solutions like routers, switches and access points allow schools to stay connected and meet students’ demands. They can scale bandwidth and securely manage devices to improve performance.
Enhanced Learning Experience
The digital learning environment requires networking technologies to support on-demand information, collaborative projects and media-rich teaching methods. However, these new tools can often strain the capacity of school networks and create bandwidth bottlenecks for students using bandwidth-heavy applications.
Education IT teams must provide a reliable, high-performing network that can accommodate the needs of students and teachers while keeping costs down. They need a solution to deliver reliable connectivity and security for wired and wireless networks while providing a platform for future technological advances.
For instance, schools may deploy BYOD programs to support mobile devices in classrooms or implement new ed techs such as augmented reality and virtual reality. These technologies increase student engagement and improve academic outcomes. Still, they can also tax existing network infrastructure or overwhelm wireless networks with user traffic, causing applications to slow down for everyone.
These challenges can be solved by a cloud-managed networking solution that includes routers, switches and access points. By deploying an integrated solution with Cisco DNA, schools can ensure strong WiFi signals for students and teachers and use the platform to add new services easily. For example, the programmability of Cisco ACI means schools can automate configuration changes and even spin up infrastructure, such as load balancers, with one program.
Enhanced Collaboration
Educators can collaborate with their peers on new projects and curricula using network tools that provide the reliable high-speed access necessary. With a robust network, educators can personalize learning experiences for students to target their weaknesses through software tools and educational resources.
Collaboration supports all students, especially the 1 in 5 who struggle with learning and attention issues. Studies show that schools with collaborative structures perform better than those without them.
The asynchronous nature of higher education demands that networks have three key characteristics: openness, awareness, and automation. In addition, security is a primary concern. Educators want to know that their data and devices are secure from cyber-attacks.
A good network allows educators to connect with their colleagues in different locations worldwide, allowing them to share ideas and information. It also makes it easy for students to learn from various sources, breaking down barriers that would otherwise limit learning opportunities.
School network infrastructure typically consists of local area networks (LANs) that connect computers within the same school building and wide area networks that connect computers across different structures and even on the Internet. By upgrading to an SD-WAN solution, schools can eliminate dead zones and allow students to use bandwidth-heavy applications without slowing down everyone else. This will enable teachers to focus on their teaching and students to get the full benefits of digital tools to help them achieve more.
Enhanced Security
Today’s educational organizations use networking technologies in a broad spectrum of ways to improve learning. Technology is also helping them with collaboration and efficiency. However, these technology innovations can expose them to risks such as operational disruption, data breaches and increased liabilities if security isn’t properly addressed.
Educators seek reliable, scalable and secure network solutions offering mobility, flexibility, high performance, and cost-effectiveness. With the right IT networking solution, education institutions can optimize internal digital tools to support staff, students, and parents.
For example, a reliable WiFi network can enable educators to use video conferencing applications to connect with remote students and teachers to deliver high-quality lessons. It allows students to learn anywhere and anytime by giving them access to bandwidth-heavy educational apps. It can help them personalize their learning experience and work towards their strengths by providing software tools to track student progress and identify weaknesses.
Schools need a high-performing network infrastructure that can handle hundreds, if not thousands, of simultaneous connections – both wired and wireless. They must also provide their students with a consistent and reliable wireless experience that is easy to manage. TP-Link’s educational solutions for WiFi are designed to deliver the Gigabit speeds that schools need while simplifying the management of their school’s networks. Its SafeStream routers and Jetstream switches are combined with Omada software to offer centralized management and ensure the system is configured according to the school’s requirements.
Enhanced Efficiency
With high-speed, reliable networks, educators can tailor the learning experience for each student. They can offer software tools to help students overcome weaknesses and improve their strengths. Students can also collaborate remotely with their peers and teachers using smartphones, tablets or computers. This allows them to learn from anywhere at any time and creates an immersive learning experience that increases motivation and engagement.
A stable and fast network can also help with the behind-the-scenes tasks that keep a school running like a well-oiled machine. Accounts, events, marketing, PR, and student/ staff/ parent communications can all be optimized with the tools available via a steady high-speed network.
Without a scalable and intelligent network solution for schools, there is a risk that the IT teams supporting it are overwhelmed with routine management work and lose focus on more important activities. Modernized network architecture is required to have three key features: It must be open, it must be aware, and it must have some level of automation.
A smarter and more scalable network is possible by replacing legacy routers, switches and access points with cloud-managed devices. This makes it easy to deploy Gigabit WiFi and ensures the signal can reach every corner of campus without adding additional cabling. It also allows IT teams to implement dynamic routing and path optimization based on specific user groups.
