Genachowski announces programs to connect students to the Web

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski announced new programs on Tuesday aimed at keeping students connected to the Web both inside and outside the classroom.

Speaking at a public forum on education technology at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, Calif., Genachowski announced a pilot program that will give students wireless access to the Internet after they leave school grounds. The Learning-On-the-Go program will enable digital textbooks, iPads and other wireless devices to connect to the Web outside of school at no cost to the students.

"Digital textbooks and other innovative wireless devices allow students to learn in a real-world context, inside the classroom and beyond. Because of their low cost and accessibility, these mobile devices can also help advance digital equity, particularly for children from economically disadvantaged communities," said the FCC in a statement.

Genachowski also said schools and libraries participating in the E-Rate program will be allowed to take advantage of unused fiber optic lines in their areas in an effort to boost the connection speeds available to students and members of the public.

"With these fiber networks, schools and libraries can provide students and communities with cutting-edge connectivity, while at the same time saving millions of dollars by bypassing more expensive options," the FCC said.

Finally, Genachowski said the FCC will consider expanding the "School Spots" program, where schools can choose to provide Internet access to the surrounding community after students go home. The National Broadband Plan includes a goal of connecting a school or library in every community to an affordable, high-speed broadband pipe. The School Spots program would allow local users to take advantage of that high-speed connection when it isn't being used by students.