Forgetting the most impactful back to school tool?

Monday, August 19, 2024

Fiber Internet!

It's Back to School season, and children all over the U.S. are loading up their backpacks for a new year. As parents hustle to pick up notebooks, calculators and pencils, they might be forgetting one of the most important contributors to academic success: fiber internet.

Research shows that reliable broadband has a significant positive impact on educational outcomes for children in the U.S., regardless of income. (Learn more about the Lifeline program, and check with your school district for local programs for low-income households).

Just a few of the reasons why upgrading to fiber internet should be part of your back-to-school plan:

Better internet = better resources

With fiber, students' options for educational resources expands. Sure, you can read an article with slower speeds, but online textbooks and educational videos take up a lot more bandwidth. Beyond that, interactive learning platforms often need higher upload speeds than cable can provide. Better tools go a long way in improving academic success.

Better collaboration

Students with more reliable internet have an easier time communicating with their teachers, peers, and study groups, allowing for more collaboration that fosters deeper understanding of course materials.

Better support for distance learning

Covid closed nearly every school in the U.S., but it did open up new opportunities for distance learning, which require reliable connections, like those provided by fiber, to ensure students don't miss a lesson. For students with disabilities, compromised immune systems, or just looking for educational programming not available to them locally, remote learning can be a critical tool in ensuring equitable educational access.

Better internet access enhances educational outcomes for children by providing access to resources, facilitating communication and collaboration, and supporting distance learning.