CALABASAS, Calif. / DALLAS — AT&T and Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise have teamed up to make the school bus a classroom on wheels, introducing a “Connected Bus” solution that helps K-12 school districts deliver new, affordable learning experiences and other capabilities to students, teachers and bus drivers across their school transportation system.
Available nationwide today, Connected Bus supports various technology-in-education initiatives in the U.S. by using wireless technology, AT&T’s 4G LTE network and devices to increase students’ access to information, instruction and teachers. Designed to perform on the move, Connected Bus provides new options for school districts to extend the school day from the time students board the school bus, until they arrive at home.
Connected Bus offers a comprehensive way for school systems to address many of the issues they face in pupil transportation. The solution:
• makes it easier than ever to extend Internet connectivity on buses. With onboard Wi-Fi, students can access the Internet on their own devices. They can communicate with family or friends, complete homework or access information on the way to a field trip.
• offers real-time streaming video and broadcast speakers, enabling schools to deliver individual or districtwide broadcast announcements.
• is a student safety tool. The solution allows remote monitoring of driver and student behavior to limit the potential for accidents and bullying.
An interactive demonstration will be shown at the 2014 ISTE Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA, from June 29 to July 1 (AT&T booth #3348).
“Today’s education climate has increased pressures not only to keep students safe, but meet students’ digital expectations,” said Neal Tilley, Education Solutions development, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise. “We recognize technology can create solutions that offer students a safe and successful school experience. Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise is excited to be working with AT&T to deliver this level of extended learning and offer connectivity where others have failed.”
“Mobility is a key factor to ensure high-quality digital learning resources and materials are available to students and teachers,” said John Irwin, Senior Vice-President of Government, Education and Healthcare. “Connected Bus from AT&T and Alcatel-Lucent provides a comprehensive way to unlock potential solutions for schools in many ways. It’s just one more way that technology is evolving the student experience inside — and now outside — of the classroom.”
Today’s announcement builds upon AT&T’s ongoing commitment to using technology to transform education. Recently, AT&T pledged $100 million to ConnectED, a White House initiative to connect 99 percent of classrooms to next-generation digital learning by 2017. The funds will provide 50,000 middle and high school students in Title 1 schools free Internet connectivity for educational devices over the company’s 4G mobile broadband network.
Additionally, AT&T is working with Udacity to create nanodegree — efficient, accessible, affordable online training for high-demand tech jobs. Courses will be on-line, self-paced and taught by leaders in tech, with personalized, coaches, career counselling and access to industry experts every step of the way. Both programs are a part of AT&T Aspire, the company’s ongoing commitment to prepare learners for success in school and the 21(st) Century workforce
