December 2002 — ConnectEd
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Case Study: Metropolitan Area Network Helps University City Schools Raise Test Scores
In October 2001, University City schools, with the help of local systems integrator EduTec Resources Inc., deployed a 3Com Switch 4007 Gigabit Ethernet Switch in each of our 11 buildings. Today, the switches have fiber links to each other, as well as to 67 of 3Com’s Fast Ethernet edge switches, which deliver 10/100 Mbps connections to 1,600 desktops. The district also deployed the 3Com SuperStack 3 Firewall solution to protect its network from hacking attempts and easily control students’ Internet access.
Invaluable Investment
University City schools now use a 3Com MAN to boost students’ academic performance. The district’s middle school students participate in writing, social studies and science videoconferences. The 3Com solution also enables elementary students to sharpen their math skills using McGraw-Hill’s “Math Tool Chest,” and allows middle school students to advance their reading comprehension via AutoSkill International’s “Academy of Reading.” In addition, writing-lab instructors use numerous Web-based tutorials to guide research strategies and improve report writing capabilities of students. To bolster their creative writing skills, students also utilize Inspiration Software. District staff benefit from the high-speed access to the Novell’s GroupWise e-mail system, which they use to maintain contact with each other and parents. Furthermore, administrators and authorized staff of one of University City’s private schools plan to access the city’s occupancy database to quickly identify residents eligible for municipal services.
Clearly, our MAN is an invaluable investment in our children’s future. With the power we now have to enrich their educational experience, our students will graduate with the skills to excel in both higher education and the workforce. And that’s a return on an investment that any school district would be proud to achieve.
For more information on the The School District of University City, visit www.ucityschools.org.
Karol Walters, Ph.D.
Director of Information Systems
The School District of University City
Contact Information
3Com Corp.
Santa Clara, CA
(408) 326-5000
www.3com.com
