2 New Jersey Schools Deploy WiFi for Online Education

##AUTHORSPLIT##<--->

Two schools in New Jersey's Cresskill Public Schools are deploying a wireless network from Meru Networks to provide mobile Internet access and to enable access to online educational materials.

According to the district, students in the two schools--Creskill Junior High and Cresskill Senior High--needed to be able to access the Internet via their laptops, some of which are supplied by the school, others brought from home and used in school as part of a special initiative in the district. The district also wanted to provide easy access to its open source learning management system, Moodle, to allow teachers to design online instructional programs and distribute assignments.

"When a cart with 25 laptops rolls into the classroom, everyone expects to log on immediately and begin doing research for their projects," said Kevin Whitney, district technology coordinator for Cresskill Public Schools, in a statement released this week. "With our old system, half the class often wasn't able to authenticate and get access, and even then there were lots of timeouts. I kept coming across references in the trade press to Meru's ability to handle high density very well, and it's true. Now everyone can connect at once, no matter what kind of laptop they're using, and our wireless network is incredibly reliable."

Cresskill's deployment includes AP201 single-radio IEEE 802.11a/b/g access points and an MC3000-series controller with Air Traffic Control technology for centralized RF management.

Cresskill Public Schools serves about 1,500 students in three schools. The senior and junior high schools include 800 students and teachers.

Get daily news from THE Journal's RSS News Feed


About the author: David Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's online education technology publications, including THE Journal and Campus Technology. He can be reached at [email protected].

Proposals for articles and tips for news stories, as well as questions and comments about this publication, should be submitted to David Nagel, executive editor, at [email protected].

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • AI-powered individual working calmly on one side and a burnt-out person slumped over a laptop on the other

    AI's Productivity Gains Come at a Cost

    A recent academic study found that as companies adopt AI tools, they're not just streamlining workflows — they're piling on new demands. Researchers determined that "AI technostress" is driving burnout and disrupting personal lives, even as organizations hail productivity gains.

  • three silhouetted education technology leaders with thought bubbles containing AI-related icons

    Ed Tech Leaders Rank Generative AI as Top Tech Priority

    In a recent CoSN survey, an overwhelming majority of ed tech leaders (94%) said they see AI as having a positive impact on education. Respondents ranked generative AI as their top tech priority, with 80% reporting their districts have gen AI initiatives underway, or plan to in the current school year.

  • blue AI cloud connected to circuit lines, a server stack, and a shield with a padlock icon

    Report: AI Security Controls Lag Behind Adoption of AI Cloud Services

    According to a recent report from cybersecurity firm Wiz, nearly nine out of 10 organizations are already using AI services in the cloud — but fewer than one in seven have implemented AI-specific security controls.

  • lightbulb

    Call for Speakers Now Open for Tech Tactics in Education: Overcoming Roadblocks to Innovation

    The annual virtual conference from the producers of Campus Technology and THE Journal will return on Sept. 25, 2025, with a focus on emerging trends in cybersecurity, data privacy, AI implementation, IT leadership, building resilience, and more.