Hardware & Infrastructure

Computer systems, major hardware & school/district facilities news


Closing the U.S. Homework Gap Using Unlicensed Spectrum

Almost 17 million students had no access to the internet in their homes at the start of the pandemic, while many more were impeded by unreliable internet connectivity and slow speeds. This divide wasn’t only restricted to rural locations; it was mirrored in towns and cities too.

Experts: Schools Will Have to Step It Up, Pay More to Get Cyberinsurance This Year

Cyberinsurance premiums are expected to skyrocket this year as insurers crack down on the amount of risk they’ll accept — and they’re starting to require organizations requesting a quote to prove that their network security is in tip-top shape, industry experts said.

Endpoint Malware and Ransomware in First Three Quarters of 2021 Topped All of 2020, WatchGuard Reports

WatchGuard Technologies, a global network security and intelligence provider, said in a new Internet Security Report released today that endpoint malware and ransomware attacks during the first three quarters of 2021 totaled more than in all of 2020.

Verizon Donates $10M+ to Heart of America Program to Expand Innovative Learning Labs

National education nonprofit Heart of America on Monday announced a landmark grant of over $10 million from Verizon, which will dramatically expand the organization’s partnership with Verizon aimed at infusing technology in some of the nation's most under-resourced schools.

Wyebot Launches WiFi Network Solution Platform

The company’s Wireless Intelligence Platform uses artificial intelligence identify potential WiFi connection threats and actionable steps to optimize performance.

InterVision Acquires Fotis Networks

InterVision, a strategic IT service provider, is strengthening its consulting business through the acquisition of Fotis Networks.

Baking Interoperability Functions into Classroom Management Tools

CoSN’s new resource provides schools with language to incorporate interoperability into RFPs to ensure that system connectivity is a key component of all bids to develop and build new management platforms for educators.

Cost to Connect Rural America: $19 Billion or Less

The report comes on the heels of a Trump administration infrastructure plan that includes $50 billion set aside for rural projects, distributed to states in the form of block grants, and another $20 billion for unspecified "transformative projects"; both reference the possibility of increasing broadband facilities alongside road, bridge, rail, port and water initiatives.

Report: InfoSec Spending to Grow 7 Percent in 2017

Global spending on information security is expected to hit $86.4 billion in 2017, according to a new forecast from market research firm Gartner.

You've Been Hacked! Explaining Cybersecurity to Students in an Interconnected Era

Computer hackers, also known as cybercriminals, are infiltrating our world with ever-increasing sophistication. It is critical that students understand both the benefits and risks of their devices — especially their smartphones. Educators have an important role to play in helping students understand and safely navigate an internet-connected world.

Featured Mobility Articles

Masters of Learning

I had the delightful privilege of moderating the FETC Virtual Conference this past May. One of the events was a Q&A with Elliot Soloway, of the University of Michigan, and Cathleen Norris, of the University of North Texas, regarding their mobile learning research initiatives. Their strong contention is that students will bring their mobile phones to school to learn — and it will happen a lot sooner than we think. It's inevitable, they say, and educators need to get with the picture. By Therese Mageau.

Principals Call for Mobile and Social Technologies in Schools

The National Association of Secondary School Principals is looking to change the conversation about mobile computing and social media in schools.

The ABCs of BYOL

A bring-your-own-laptop pilot program puts an Ohio district closer to its goal of getting a computer into the hands of each of its students.

New York Educators Get Cross-Platform Tablet Training

NYSCATE, the New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education, will be training teachers on Android- and Windows-based tablets this summer.

Classroom Walkthrough Comes to Android

Teacher professional development provider Teachscape has brought Classroom Walkthrough to the Android platform.

Using iPods To Increase Reading Comprehension

As a middle school reading specialist in Oregon's Eugene School District 4j, Marilyn Williams found that many of her middle school students weren't finishing their reading or remembering what they read. So she decided to tackle the problem with the help of iPod touch devices.

Student Engagement on the Go

Assistant Principal Patrick McGee explains that whatever the other advantages of adopting iPads and iPods in the classroom, the key is student engagement.

Drill Down: Mobile Devices in Education

As educators continue to weigh the many considerations attached to allowing student-owned handheld devices on campus, Speak Up asked parents what good they think the use of mobile technologies would have on their children's education.

An App for That ... and That ... and That

The mobile technology market is blooming with powerful applications that have the ability to transform education with the ease of a download to any number of handheld devices. To learn what apps educators are finding most valuable to teaching and learning, we asked presenters from this month's Florida Education Technology Conference (FETC) to share some of their favorites.

NEA Program To Award Smart Phone Grants

The NEA Foundation is expanding the focus of its Challenge to Innovate (C2i) grant program. In the latest phase, the foundation will award five grants to support innovative ideas for using smart phones in the classroom.

6 Technologies That Will Change Education

Over the next five years, six technologies will have a profound impact on teaching and learning--and some are already beginning to have an impact.

When Social Networking Goes 'Live'

An English teacher in Iowa talks about how she parlayed Twitter interactions into a class trip halfway around the world.

Philadelphia Elementary School Students Treated to a New iPad Lab

Students at Philadelphia’s Stephen Decatur Elementary school will have access to a new iPad lab when they return to class in the fall.

Accelerated Reader Student App Comes to iOS

Renaissance Learning has released a free iOS app that lets students take their Accelerated Reader quizzes on their iPads, iPhones, and iPods.

ActiveCloud for iOS Enables Seamless Management of Local and Cloud-Based Files

Mobile software company Pocket Watch has released its cloud storage management application, ActiveCloud 1.0, for iOS.

Mobility Webinar

  • How to Select a Tablet Webinar screen capture

    Learn 10 essential criteria that organizations should consider when choosing a tablet computer.

Mobility Podcast

About GovConnection

GovConnection, Inc. is a leading provider of IT products and services to the K–12 and higher education marketplace.

Backed by years of experience and extensive vendor partnerships, our Account Managers are focused on helping you connect with the latest, most effective technology to support education.

With more than 150,000 products, a nationwide network of service partners, and teams of certified technical experts, GovConnection has the resources to help you achieve your IT goals—on time and on budget.

From digital signage in the campus cafeteria to servers in the core of your data center, GovConnection is ready to design, build, and support IT solutions that meet your every need. If you’re looking for an IT provider with the tools to accelerate learning and enhance collaboration, GovConnection is here to put technology to work for you. More Information

Mobility Resources

  • Adobe® Acrobat® X Pro in K–12 education PDF Screenshot

    K-12 educators are using Acrobat to enhance workflows, to improve collaboration, to create e-Portfolios of classroom activities, and even provide documents that are accessible to people with disabilities. Download PDF

  • Laptop Lessons PDF Screenshot

    While you may hear more about iPad’s impact in schools in the news lately, The Peddie School in Hightstown, NJ demonstrates how having a program with netbooks and laptops have benefitted the students. Download PDF

  • Case Study: Archdiocese of Philadelphia PDF Screenshot

    The Archdiocese of Philadelphia needed high-performance devices that offered both great savings and strong warranty to serve over 68,000 students. Acer provided rugged, fast netbooks with large keyboards that could stand up to long-term student use. Download PDF

  • Case Study: Lorain City Schools, OH PDF Screenshot

    The Challenge: Lorain City Schools in Lorain, OH serves 19 different schools and programs with a diverse student population. The Solution: Find out how Acer helped a large school system on a tight budget build a bridge to the 21st century classroom. Download PDF

GovConnection K-12 Overview

  • GovConnection PDF: Experience the GovConnection Difference Today Experience the GovConnection Difference Today

    Download PDF

About GovConnection

GovConnection, Inc. is a leading provider of IT products and services to the K–12 and higher education marketplace.

Backed by years of experience and extensive vendor partnerships, our Account Managers are focused on helping you connect with the latest, most effective technology to support education.

With more than 150,000 products, a nationwide network of service partners, and teams of certified technical experts, GovConnection has the resources to help you achieve your IT goals—on time and on budget.

From digital signage in the campus cafeteria to servers in the core of your data center, GovConnection is ready to design, build, and support IT solutions that meet your every need. If you’re looking for an IT provider with the tools to accelerate learning and enhance collaboration, GovConnection is here to put technology to work for you. More Information