WiFi and other wireless technologies are touted as a cost-effective and efficient systems for schools looking to provide always-on Internet access to campuses. But anyone who has waved a laptop around an airport lounge can attest, wireless networks can also be fickle. Do you have it? 

We are a very small private elem. school in Cupertino (Apple HQ). Our system once we refined it works great (We have one for the school and one for our church sponsor and there is a high school across the street). One problem we faced was the enormous amount of networks within the 500 ft range (If my network goes down, we can ride someone else's for internet access) so monitoring of channel assignment is occasionally needed. We do use 2 interconnected units 60 ft apart to help with this. —Paul Muratroyd

Our wi-fi is about 90% covered throughout the campus. It is very helpful when you hold a wireless device and are able to take roll anywhere on campus during out of class activities. The downside is having a wireless hub not under our (school's) control that displays a network name that may not be appropriate. For example, we have an apartment/townhome complex near our school that broadcasts the netword id "BigSexy" While this is not totally inappropriate it makes me aware of the potential of worse ids and the lack of control one has over the airwaves near our school. But the infrastructure of the wireless realm is welcomed in my class anytime along with the expanded potential for my students and teachers. —L Murphy