“Classroom on Wheels” Provides Students with Extended Connectivity

In an effort to provide students with new, affordable, learning experiences, AT&T and Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise have teamed up to offer “Connected Buses” to K-12 school districts. The technology aims to turn the traditional school-bus experience into a learning opportunity that also helps improve student safety. It combines wireless technology, AT&T’s 4G LTE, and a variety of devices to increase students’ access to information.

Each Connected Bus has onboard WiFi, allowing students to access the Internet on their own devices. They can then communicate with friends or family, complete homework, or access information on their way to a field trip. The buses also offer real-time streaming video and broadcast speakers to allow schools to deliver individual or district-wide broadcast announcements. In terms of safety, the buses allow for the remote monitoring of both driver and student behavior to limit the potential for accidents and bullying.

Previously, AT&T had pledged $100 million to ConnectED, a White House initiative to connect 99% of classrooms by 2017. The money will provide 50,000 middle and high school students in Title 1 schools with free Internet connectivity for educational devices over the 4G mobile broadband network.