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Wireless Networks

Notes in the system are incredibly disruptive and are not an option. With Meru's built in QoS, the
on-line SOL testing process has gone very smoothly; the system has reliably supported this
and all the other bandwidth-intensive applications we use it for.”
According to Dale Herring, “We've had a lot of positive feedback and increased use of
the wireless system because connectivity is now a more seamless, transparent process.
Disruptions to the teaching process in our classrooms are minimal; plus we were able to
easily segregate access for students and the public from the private portion of the network.
Everyone in the IT department loves the flexibility and we don't worry the way we used
to about adding more devices or new applications. We are all definitely benefiting rom
having a pervasive system that provides access wherever and whenever it's needed; both
inside and outside of the school buildings.”

New Opportunities with a Meru Solution
The 2008/2009 school year brought forth new opportunities for GCPS to improve the
learning environment using their state-of-the-art Meru wireless network. Students and
school personnel alike are reaping the benefits of being able to successfully run applications
over the air including web-based assessments, instructional videos and presentations,
along with Internet-based learning and staff training.
Opportunities on the horizon are all about learning and teaching processes. The technology
and cost/benefit analysis of implementing an e-reader program is now under consideration.
The GCPS' IT department is currently piloting e-reader technology to support the County's
reading program in the Middle School. If successful, the program will be expanded to all
schools. According to Dale Herring, “We considered the option of e-readers before the
Meru installation. But now since we have the technology to effectively support this kind of
program, the concept has gained a lot of traction and taken on a new meaning. Students are
now able to access the most up to date material throughout the facility, not just in certain
designated locations.” With the number of electronic formats consolidating and significant
improvements in device battery life, the use of hand-held devices containing e-books
has grown significantly within the educational market. Herring added, “The concept of
e-readers appeals to students and school administrators alike. Students already lug around
enough laptops and heavy books. On the other side, books are expensive and quickly fall
out of date which makes it challenging for schools to stay current.”
As part of the teacher development and evaluation process, GCPS administrators are using
iPod's to wirelessly connect to a web portal to run their classroom observation software. So
far this year, over 1000 informal classroom observations have been conducted and recorded.
That data collected is used to insure that best instructional practice is being followed, to
provided specific feedback to teachers, and to help administrators stay in touch with what
is going on in the classrooms. According to Herring, “Using a secure wireless/web-based
system, we've made big strides in recording evaluation info in real time and keeping it
secure. We essentially eliminated the need to keep data on a device which could get lost
or stolen and need for any further data transfer.” Purchased with private enterprise grant
funds, the implementation of these mobile devices has had a significant, positive impact on
the collection, storage and utilization of this vital information.
Plans for the Future
GCPS has plans to expand the implementation of Meru products in its primary school
and school board office in the near future. Further out on the horizon are plans for a VoIP
telephony solution which could ultimately also be run over their Meru wireless network.
About Greene County Public Schools Greene County is located in central Virginia at the
foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with the Shenandoah National Park and the Skyline
Drive forming its western boundary. Although rural in nature, this picturesque County is
part of the Charlottesville metropolitan region which includes the University of Virginia.
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