Why Consider School-Wide Networking?

A school-wide network can be defined as a network connecting computers throughout the school, providing communication between those computers, and giving each computer access to all of the resources on the network.

• Access for everyone -- any time, anywhere
• Security and control
• Ease of maintenance

Uses for a School-Wide Network

• Networks for student learning
• Network access to the Internet
• Networks for school administration
  

Keys to successful School-Wide Networks

• develop long-term and short-term plans
• involve the school staff
• has a realistic vision
• define goals and objectives
• determine the needs of the users
• focus what should be done, not the technology
• allow future flexibility while meeting present needs
• learn from those who have designed school networks before
• plan for the support for teachers and students, office staff and administrators, and technical support for hardware and software
  

Required Resources for a School-Wide Network

• hardware
• software
• physical facilities
• furniture
• supplies