The importance of a Computer Network in a School

Many types of networks exist, but essentially a network is a group of linked computers.

The little bit of history.
Talking about computers in schools, schools started with single standalone computers and these were basically for official use. Numbers slowly grew, but limited by cost because computers were much more expensive than in this era where they are drastically decreasing in prices. In some schools special rooms for computers were set-up during this time.
As computer technology went on diversifying entering in our everyday life, there was a need for every citizen to know how to use a computer so, the government decided that computers be taught in schools as subjects and be included on the national education curriculum.
A purchasing frenzy of computers began mostly noticeable in urban areas to meet government targets.
Schools began to develop basic peer-to-peer networks to share resource like storage media and printers.
The need for bring computers in a classroom environment emerged to help in the teaching-learning process.
The internet appeared in schools.
The increasing numbers of computers meant a move to client server networks.
Broadband internet connections, issues with filtering and security were then a great concern.
As in everyday networking infrastructures, technical support became a major issue as networks grew in size and numbers.

Now

Assuming your school has already got some computers hanging around the place, is there any reason to connect them up to create a network? Obviously it costs a bit and requires expertise.

That’s one reason why SETITechnologies is here. We are here to help establish a good quality and secure computer network.  We think that this is almost always worth doing. For a start you are likely to save money spent on cabling and a server by sharing hardware, reducing license costs and saving time. Establishing a good quality network in schools allows:


Students learn to use the internet.

Students develop communication skills by using electronic tools such as email, and instant messages.

Sharing of hardware devices among teachers, administration and students like printers, scanners.

Wireless networking eliminates expenses of cabling and also reduces the physical constraints associated with computer use.

Networks open up access to tools and resources which can have strong positive effects in areas such as self-esteem, motivation, interest and focus of students and teachers.

There are available opportunities to address school work and progress to external audience.

Students have opportunities to collaborate on assignments with people outside or inside school.

The internet avails access to online course resources for both teachers and students. This increases chances for incidental learning to students and refreshment on the side of teachers.

Students and teachers stay up-dated with subject matter and news around the world.

The excessive use of chalk boards can be eliminated because notes and tests are uploaded onto the network and can be downloaded and used by individual students or groups. This also is economical because chalk and or flip charts are spared.

Where wireless networking is used, there is convenience and mobility. Teachers can use the network resources even while in classrooms and students can work and read from anywhere within and around the school campus.

Development and strengthening of the relationship between the school and the outside community can be witnessed due to constant intact through the network.

There is easy update of administrative records & data bases and security & privacy can be provided to sensitive school files so that they are accessed by only the intended groups or individuals.
Software management, installation and updating is easy, cheap and time saving since all these can be done on the server alone and the rest of the computers get duplicates.