Wireless Network Upgrade in Schools to Provide High-Density, Long-Term Solution to Support Students, Teachers & Guests

August 4, 2009

2008 Technology Bond Update

All Plano schools will be equipped with new high-speed wireless network access, a powerful improvement that will provide new capabilities to students using laptops and other devices in classrooms.

This summer, schools are being outfitted with Wi-Fi Array Antenna technology, replacing the more cumbersome "access point" technology that has been in place. The new devices will provide high-density, reliable access and a long-term solution for students, teachers, parents and other guests who access technology networks within Plano schools.

All Plano schools will be equipped with new high-speed wireless network access, a powerful improvement that will be fairly invisible to students.

School board members were briefed on the project during their August 4 meeting by Jim Hirsch, associate superintendent for academic and technology services, who noted that the voter-approved 2008 bond initiative puts campus-wide wireless networks within schools to allow for greater mobility and better delivery of the district's instructional program as well as the assessment of that instructional program.

Mr. Hirsch reported that the new array devices are being installed this summer in the district's middle schools, high schools and senior high schools by Plano ISD and partners Verizon and Xirrus. Elementary school installations will be underway this fall with completion scheduled for early 2010.

High-Speed, High-Density Solution

Like most corporations looking at long term solutions, Plano ISD is cutting back on the amount of cable installed in buildings while increasing wireless capacity with new technology such as wi-fi arrays. Plano ISD has had wireless networks in place for a number of years, but, using early technology, they were not campus-wide.

Prior to these upgrades, typical school configurations were an access point on a cart, and the wireless network followed the cart around the building.

The new wireless network access being installed in Plano schools operates like a series of spotlights arrayed in a circular configuration, providing access at about 6 times the distance of a typical "access point" system.

A solution for the school district involved studying the size of schools, the number of students served in schools and, ultimately, the number of devices the network must support.

An example of a high-density school is Plano Senior High School, where the wi-fi network will ultimately support devices used by up to 3,000 students. High schools will support an average of 1,500 students and their wireless devices. And, at a typical elementary school, the design will support up to 750 students accessing the wireless technology.

"That density is different than your typical wireless network," said Mr. Hirsch. "If you have one in your homes, you may realize that, once you get two or three devices going, things may slow down a bit. That was the experience we were having in our schools and the reason the community supported this wireless network upgrade project in the 2008 bond."

Instructional Support

One of Plano ISD's large pushes is the instructional program within the buildings as well as the assessment of that instructional program. For example, the MAP program, which the district uses to assess test scores, is administered to a large number of students simultaneously. "Without the wireless access, we can’t be successful while we’re moving forward with this district initiative," noted Mr. Hirsch. Laptops weren’t able to support that many assessments at one time and at a high speed.

Wi-Fi Array Technology vs. 'Access Point' Stations

The concept of an “array” is that, rather than having an access point, which has to run back over wire to a network closet to take care of security and other network focal points, the technology is within the array itself.

An access point is like a light bulb. It shines only a small distance, but it shines in all directions. The array is more like a series of spotlights arrayed in a circular configuration so that’s throwing that out at a greater distance, about 6 times the distance.

By moving to an array system, Plano ISD will cut down significantly on the number of devices installed at each school. A typical wireless network would take many access points to get the density needed in Plano ISD's schools.

By moving to an array system, Plano ISD will cut down significantly on the number of devices installed at each school. A typical wireless network would take many access points to get the density needed in Plano ISD's schools.

The array system provides a two-channel network with both a secure internal connection as well as a public connection that will be used by parents and students with non-school provided devices.. So, the district has a secure network that mimics its own existing wired network, but there is also a second channel that offers more of a public network within each school facility.

The wi-fi arrays are installed in school ceilings with a fairly innocuous cover that's flush against the ceiling and protected. At a school the size of Vines High School, for example, 20 devices were installed on the first and second floors to support approximately 1,500 students.

Regarding this latest technology initiative, Mr. Hirsch said, "It’s been a quick project in terms of implementation, and part of that speed is due to the technology that we adopted; the wi-fi array vs. the traditional access points.

Protecting & Expanding Technology Investments

The Plano ISD community and school board invested in more than 4,000 wireless laptop devices that will all connect through the secure network. The school district has about 400 netbooks and a variety of pilot programs in school buildings that will also use the wireless network.

In addition, school principals will have wireless access during teacher observations in classrooms. Approximately 200 iPod Touch devices will be used as part of that new initiative.

In the long-term, as the district looks at future purchases, according to Mr. Hirsch, "The wireless network will support not only the latest wireless standards but will also accommodate a wide variety of wireless devices that the district, students and parents may put to good use in learning and teaching."

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