There is little more that is disengaging for pupils than watching a screen buffer. In schools a speedy, reliable broadband service has become a must for excellent learning experiences. The first thing to check when it comes to broadband speed is what speed your internet service provider is offering. Your provider will work with you to calculate your requirements. This will depend upon factors such as the number of devices on the network and your school buildings’ physical layout. For example, a school with a few hundred pupils in a central building will have different requirements to a large school with multiple buildings.
The speed provided should ensure as a minimum, that every device can maintain a stable connection fast enough to stream video content. As web-based interactive learning support tools increase, the broadband in schools must be sufficient to support them. It is good practice to regularly check your broadband speed and several free sites will enable you to do this:
If you do notice a drop in your school’s broadband speed then here are 5 top tips for improving:
1. Turn off the Wi-Fi on devices you’re not using
The broadband speed is always divided between the devices that are accessing the network. By switching off wi-fi on tablets and computers, you are not using you free up more bandwidth for other devices.
2. Check your router
Your router needs to be positioned in the best place for your location. The location can hinder your router signal. It needs to be up on a shelf, off the floor and centrally located. Other electrical devices can interfere with the wi-fi signal, so it is better to place the router away from other electrical devices. If you have your router correctly positioned but experience broadband outages, then talk to your service provider about upgrading to the latest model.
3. Perform device maintenance
Simple tasks that can cause the broadband speed to be slow on your devices can be targeted at the device level. Routine computer maintenance such as ensuring that your browser is up-to-date and that you have cleared your cache can speed up your pupil’s experience.
4. Password protect your broadband network
Having unauthorised guests on your network will drain the bandwidth available. Keeping your broadband password protected and regularly updated is an excellent way of ensuring only authorised people can use it.
5. Consider boosting the network
For the best signal you should position your device as close to the router as possible. Where this is not possible you can increase the area that the signal covers. You can use wi–fi signal boosters to repeat the signal over a larger area. You can also set up a MIMO (multiple in, multiple out) hardware network that uses antenna technology to transmit the wi–fi signal.
6. Choose the right provider
Not all broadband and educational IT providers are equal. We provide solutions that are 200%-400% faster than almost all current offerings used by schools and in most cases reduce costs too!
A fast and safe school broadband network provides efficiency for your staff. It ensures that teachers can reliably incorporate access to online resources in lessons. It means that in this new way of remote schooling, children who are remote learning can have access to the same education as those who are physically at school.
Contact a Cloudhappi expert today and start your journey to affordable and super-fast broadband today.
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