December 2001 / January 2002 Edition

Wireless Lab   By Barbara A. Laudicina (Board of Education Technology Resource Specialist)   In a cooperative initiative between the Fair Lawn Public Schools and the Fair Lawn Community School, a wireless lab has been installed at Warren Point School. Mr. Joseph Tedeschi, Community School Manager and Mr. Ken Bratspies, Principal of Warren Point School gave birth to this innovative project designed to serve students during the day and community residents after school and in the evening.    The wireless lab, including an access point, cart, 15 laptops, and 13 classroom network drops has been financed by unencumbered surplus funds of the Fair Lawn Community School. The Community School will also subsidize teacher training.     The wireless lab is a portable unit that can be wheeled from classroom to classroom. Once the access point is plugged into a network drop it begins to transmit a signal to the 15 laptops. Each laptop receives the signal through its wireless card making it an integrated part of the hardwired network. As a result, teachers can not only offer demonstration in network use and software application to support learning, but can also provide Internet access for each user. This technology will allow teachers to guide full class instruction using a hands-on approach.    The District Technology Resource Specialist will serve as the project coordinator to develop lessons and projects for students to engage through the wireless technology. Staff members will be trained to effectively maximize this medium and programs will be developed for the community school. One type of course offering being explored for the Community School is an intergenerational class in Internet use. Mr. Tedeschi intends to offer these technology courses to senior citizens for a minimal fee. He also hopes that the success of this pilot will allow the replication of this project in the other Fair Lawn elementary schools.