Are your pupils falling behind in the digital divide? If your students need to access remote learning but don’t have internet access at home, it can severely hinder their progress. If you want all your pupils to have an equal opportunity at success, then you need to know how to get them online.
One solution that many schools are employing is mobile routers for students, known as WiFi buses. Read on for our must-know guide on how they can transform remote learning in your educational facility.
Communication
One benefit of internet access from a bus is increased communication in your school. Start by letting parents and children know when the WiFi bus will be available for use. You can do this through notices, telephone calls, letters home, or SMS.
Once they have WiFi access, you can provide them with a plethora of school internet learning activities. Homework portals can be used, to share after-school education with parents. Online learning platforms can be used to supplement existing subjects.
Solving the Digital Divide
Not all children in your school may have internet access at home, particularly if you have pupils from a low socio-economic background. This puts them at a disadvantage in terms of home learning. School internet through WiFi buses helps bridge the digital divide.
Pupils can be given their own passwords and logins, so only they can use the network. Buses can be parked in neighborhoods and local areas, so they can use faster internet even while away from the premises.
Prevents Bad Behavior
Anyone who has taken school children on a bus trip will know how troublesome behavior becomes. Excitement, apprehension, and boredom all play a part. This can result in bullying, harassment, and a number of other undesirable behaviors.
Technological advancements that allow pupils to access the internet on a bus journey can help prevent this. Pupils can watch videos, listen to music, or browse the internet instead of taking part in unwanted actions.
Learning On the Move
In fact, one major benefit is that pupils can use the time traveling to learn. While on the bus they may be able to do homework assignments or utilize online learning platforms.
If you have extremely long bus routes or live in remote, rural locations, then this can be a huge help. The time that would usually be wasted traveling becomes an extension of the learning experience. If pupils use this time wisely, it allows them more free time at home relieved of the burden of homework.
Safety
One of the main reasons is that in the current COVID climate, WiFi buses encourage safety. You can have up to 65 devices connected on an average bus, with a radius of between 150 to 300 feet from the bus itself. This means that students, staff, and parents using the bus do not have to crowd around a router or pack into a room to get a signal.
Transforming Remote Learning
Now you know the benefits of WiFi buses for remote learning, you can begin to bridge the gap. Set up a schedule of where the bus will be and for how long, or integrate them into your current school systems. Soon, you will see a positive impact on your pupils.
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