The region’s wireless deployment in 2010 for its schools had become outdated – relying on only a small number of access points in hallways. Since the initial deployment, the numbers and complexity of technologies that students used, the schools invested in, and classroom expectations had evolved tremendously. Following COVID, when hybrid learning came about, video streaming and digital learning entered West Lothian’s classrooms and the demand on the few, dated APs became overwhelming. With the growing hinderance on the wireless network, teachers began to experience unintended countereffects in their classrooms; rather than technology supporting and enabling teaching, network downtime began to negatively impact engagement and eat away at teachers’ already limited class time.
The requirement from WLC was therefore three fold:
Increased network capacity for growing number of devices and services used by students and faculty
Improved wireless connectivity to eliminate downtime in classrooms and enable teachers to maximize class time
Scalable, futureproof solution that will grow with the schools and their needs as education and technology continue to evolve and advance