WiFi WOWs Coventry School

Media Release 24/04/03

Jane Lovell with Year 2 pupils, looking up facts on Christopher Columbus

Davenport Lodge Pre-preparatory School are the latest to exploit WiFi technology for their new ICT suite. Supplied by Daconi, based at the University of Warwick Science Park, the WiFi solution provides broadband internet without the need for plugs or wires.

WiFi or Wireless Fidelity provides a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), allowing desktop or laptop PC users to move freely around a school without the need for cabling. This freedom is achieved by connecting computers using radio signals. Daconi provides a turnkey solution to Midlands’ schools by surveying sites, installing the unobtrusive equipment and providing training, maintenance and support services.

“The children have really taken to the technology and are absorbed by the wealth of online learning material available to them,” explains Maureen Martin, Principal of Davenport Lodge. She adds “It is wonderful the way that our older computers in each classroom were easily added to the wireless network without putting any wires around the school."

The technology is especially relevant to schools, colleges and universities. When coupled with the falling cost of broadband Internet access, WiFi provides mobile ICT access throughout buildings and across a campus. Keith Jones, Daconi’s Director emphasises, “The mission of Daconi is to install WiFi zones to liberate educational establishments, enabling the ease of use of ICT within lessons and increasing the access that pupils and students have to the expanding range of online learning resources.” He adds “That is the WOW – the Wonder Of Wireless – and typifies the reaction of our customers.”

JISC, in their wireless LAN advisory paper for schools advise, “Wireless LANs allow computers to be integrated into education rather than education fitting around computers”