The Consortium for School Networking Publishes 'Emerging Technologies Report: A Guide to Wireless LANs in K-12 Schools'

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 4, 2003--

In-depth report examines the implementation of wireless LAN technologies in K-12 schools

“rare and wonderful example of the public and private sectors working together.”

The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), a national nonprofit organization that promotes the use of information technologies and the Internet in K-12 education, today introduced Emerging Technologies Report: A Guide to Wireless LANs in K-12 Schools.

"Wireless local area networks have been around for some time, but only recently have the costs and benefits met at the magical point that propels a new technology into the mainstream," the report notes. "New standards, faster speeds and decreasing costs are combining to make wireless networking an ever-more appealing solution for school campus connectivity needs."

The report, from CoSN's Emerging Technologies Committee, examines the implementation of wireless LAN technologies in K-12 schools and identifies challenges, options, and lessons learned. Critical issues addressed in the report include standards and compatibility, planning and implementation, security, and total cost of ownership (TCO).

"The report provides a practical road map for CTOs, CIOs, school administrators, technology coordinators, and other decision makers charged with planning wireless implementation," said Steve Rappaport, chair of CoSN's Emerging Technologies Committee. "Some of the most compelling reasons schools give for purchasing wireless LANs are mobility, flexibility, savings and expandability. From learning about the components of a wireless LAN to understanding the complex wireless standards, through deciding when and where to jump to designing the wireless network, the report provides step-by-step guidelines for school technology leaders."

Emerging Technologies Report: A Guide to Wireless LANs in K-12 Schools is made possible through the generous support of PLATO Learning, Inc. (www.plato.com; Nasdaq: TUTR), SpectraLink Corporation (www.spectralink.com; Nasdaq: SLNK), and Editorial Projects in Education Inc., publishers of Education Week (www.edweek.org). The report was compiled by the Emerging Technologies Committee and edited by Judy Salpeter, editor-at-large for Technology & Learning magazine and the Consortium for School Networking.

One of the most widely held concerns about wireless networking is the security challenge it presents, the report notes. In addition to securing equipment from tampering and theft - a natural concern given the portability of laptops and mobile access points - education leaders need to think about securing the district's data and infrastructure from hackers and unauthorized use.

"An important starting point is to develop an overall security strategy based on an evaluation of the potential risks at your school or district," said Keith Krueger, CoSN's CEO. "The deployment of wireless technology involves a considerable amount of work on the part of technology coordinators, network managers, and support staff. While one or two access points are relatively easy to install, the challenges escalate quickly when a school considers a more comprehensive wireless solution. New management tasks include security monitoring, maintaining and scheduling the use of mobile labs, analyzing the total cost of ownership, and developing a training program for educators and staff."

Krueger added that the Emerging Technologies Committee is a "rare and wonderful example of the public and private sectors working together." The Committee has more than 50 members, with one-third from school districts, one-third from the private sector, and one-third from educational and nonprofit organizations.

The 24-page Emerging Technologies Report: A Guide to Wireless LANs for K-12 Schools includes profiles of eight wireless-using districts: Kearney Public Schools in Nebraska; Clark County School District in Georgia; Amarillo Independent School District in Texas; Cache County School District in Utah; Hampton City Schools in Virginia; Poway Unified School District in California ; Henry County Public Schools in Virginia; and Westside Community Schools in Nebraska.

The report is $19.95 for CoSN members and $24.95 to non-members and can be downloaded at www.cosn.org/store. A $5 charge for shipping and handling, for up to five copies, is added to print orders.

Future reports from CoSN's Emerging Technologies Committee will examine the use of handheld devices and the wireless connectivity issues associated with them.

About the Consortium for School Networking

Founded in 1992, the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), a national non-profit organization, is the premier voice in education technology leadership. Its mission is to advance the K-12 education community's capacity to effectively use technology to improve learning through advocacy, policy and leadership development. CoSN members represent school districts, state and local education agencies, nonprofits, companies and individuals who share this vision.

CoSN leadership initiatives include: Cyber Security for the Digital District (www.securedistrict.org); Data-Driven Decision Making (www.3d2know.org); Safeguarding the Wired Schoolhouse (www.safewiredschools.org); Taking Total Cost of Ownership to the Classroom (www.classroomtco.org); and the development of the Council of School District Chief Technology Officers (CTO).

In addition, CoSN sponsors an annual conference at which school technology leaders, national policy makers, researchers, and practitioners explore how technology can be leveraged to improve student achievement. CoSN's 9th Annual School Networking Conference will be held March 2-3, 2004, in Crystal City, Va. Visit www.k12schoolnetworking.org for more program and registration information.

Visit www.cosn.org or call 202-861-2676 to find out more about CoSN's programs and activities that support leadership development to ensure that information technology has a direct and positive impact on student learning in elementary and secondary schools.

About Editorial Projects in Education

Editorial Projects in Education, publisher of Education Week, is a nonprofit news and research organization. Our mission is to raise the level of awareness and understanding among district level decision-makers regarding important issues in American education. From technology and funding, to curriculum and administration, Education Week covers the news, trends and events affecting K-12 education. Published 44 times a year, Education Week is read by over 205,000 leading educators and policymakers. No other publication provides more trusted and far-ranging coverage than Education Week, American education's independent newspaper of record.

About SpectraLink

SpectraLink Corporation (Nasdaq: SLNK) is the leading U.S. manufacturer and provider of wireless telephone systems for the workplace. SpectraLink distributes its products through industry-leading service, equipment, and application providers, cultivating a vast customer base among industries including retail, education, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, information systems and telecommunications. For more information, visit www.spectralink.com.

About PLATO Learning

PLATO Learning, Inc. is a leading provider of computer-based and e-learning instruction for Kindergarten through adult learners, offering curricula in reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and life and job skills. The company also offers innovative online assessment and accountability solutions and standards-based professional development services. With over 4,000 hours of objective-based, problem-solving courseware, plus assessment, alignment and curriculum management tools, we create standards-based curricula that facilitate learning and school improvement.

With trailing 12-month revenues of about $78 million, PLATO Learning, Inc. is a publicly held company traded as TUTR on the NASDAQ-NMS. PLATO Learning educational software is marketed to K-12 schools, colleges, job training programs, correctional institutions, military education programs, corporations and individuals and delivered via networks, CD-ROM, the Internet and private intranets. It is available for immediate purchase and electronic download on the company's Web site.

PLATO Learning is headquartered at 10801 Nesbitt Avenue South, Bloomington, Minnesota 55437, [phone] or [phone]. The Company has domestic offices throughout the United States and international offices in the United Kingdom and Canada. International distributors are located in Puerto Rico, Singapore, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The company's Web address is http://www.plato.com.

EDITOR'S NOTE: To receive a copy of the Emerging Technologies Report: A Guide to Wireless LANs in K-12 Schools, contact Charlene Blohm at [e-mail], 210-656-2324 (office) or 210-602-1444 (mobile).