In California, Wi-fi Minivans Help Disadvantaged Students
Daniyal Sohail Published September 19, 2020 | 02:52 PM
A minivan with a Wi-fi router attached to the dashboard and a satellite antenna on the roof is helping 200 disadvantaged students in Santa Ana, close to Los Angeles, cope with the rigors of distance learning during the coronavirus pandemic
Santa Ana (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Sep, 2020 ) :A minivan with a Wi-fi router attached to the dashboard and a satellite antenna on the roof is helping 200 disadvantaged students in Santa Ana, close to Los Angeles, cope with the rigors of distance learning during the coronavirus pandemic.
"When the school district launched the new school year last month, some of the parents had challenges," said Roman Reyna, who is overseeing the "Wi-fi on wheels" project launched by JFK Transportation, which organizes school runs in the district.
"A lot of our students don't have access to Wi-fi. So it's difficult for them to hear some of the messages or learning lessons behind the computer," Reyna said.
As many schools began the year with teaching online, the head of the company, Kevin Watson, came up with the idea of equipping some of his vans with internet relays and parking them at strategic points in the city where students with no Internet at home can stay on top of their school work.
"We park the van, and we're here about eight hours to ensure that the students are connected during the day," Watson said. "The Wi-fi signal will reach approximately three and a half football fields, that's about 350 yards (350 meters)." The connection is secured via a password and accessible only to students, he added.
"The Wi-fi routers are 5G, it's one of the best and very quick," said Watson, who is African-American and grew up in neighborhoods of Santa Ana where many immigrant families live and often struggle to make ends meet.
Each van is able to connect some 200 students, and seven have already been deployed as part of the project.
Watson said financial negotiations are ongoing with the school district and the hope is to have a fleet of about 50 of the vehicles.
Recent Stories
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
More Stories From Technology
-
PITB HR Wing organizes Eid Milan celebration for children at PITB Day Care Center located in ASTP
13 hours ago -
SONY x TECNO - is this for real?
13 hours ago -
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
3 days ago -
Pro Tips: How to Capture Stunning Portraits with the Aura Light Portrait of vivo V30 5G
5 days ago -
Itel celebrates launch of S24—a new brand identity
5 days ago -
Realme C53 Price Slash: High-Tech Meets High Style at New Low Price!
7 days ago
-
Take Charge, Live Free: Empower Your Life with Infinix NOTE 40 Series
9 days ago -
PTA Undertakes Consultation with All Pakistan Network Association (APNA) on Proposed Class Value Add ..
9 days ago -
Vivo V30 5G: The Perfect Blend of Enhanced Photography and Premium Design
10 days ago -
PITB's Regional Plan 9 invites applications for its newly launched incubation centers in Rawalpindi, ..
11 days ago -
Pakistan calls for enhanced information integrity on digital platforms
11 days ago -
Infinix NOTE 40 Series vs. the Competition: Why It Stands Out
12 days ago