The internet is the greatest invention man has ever conceived, a culmination of knowledge and communication that has put a infinite amount of information one push of a button away. When connection is slow, however, the world’s most advanced system of information quickly becomes the world’s biggest hassle.
The internet connection at Bowling Green High has been a frequent source of frustration for students, whether for the excruciatingly long login time on library computers or having websites such as Netflix blocked from student access. The connection varies depending on device and location, but the general consensus is that school Wi-Fi is subpar.
Without getting too technical, Wi-Fi is measured in megabits per second (mbps). According to The Brookings Institute, the average mbps for schools across America doesn’t meet the expected standards. Bowling Green High School sits at about half of that with 1.2 mbps whereas the average household in the US contains ten or more mbps.
Although slower connections are expected with so many people using the Wi-Fi at once, the problem stems from the lack of any attempt to improve upon it. Ask any senior, and they’ll say that the Wi-Fi has either stayed the same or worsened over the years. Mitchell Klutsy, a senior at BGHS, says that this issue is due to “the chromebooks they give the freshman each year, which take up the bandwidth and slow the internet.”
When the seniors were freshmen, there was about one phone per person, and all the computers in computer labs connected to the Wi-Fi. Now, that includes all the laptops that the student population, with the exception of the seniors, has. Although more devices have been added, the total bandwidth the district provides has remained constant or decreased.
Next year, all the students at BGHS will have chromebooks at their disposal, and with the current mbps, it will prove to be difficult to keep up with. With the addition of the new school building, it’s likely that the district will update the connection speeds enough to sustain its student body. Nothing is concrete and if there is to be any advancement in the Wi-Fi, student outcry must remain persistent and adamant.
Bowling Green High School has lasted as long as it has because its ability to adapt with the changing times. And while the district is doing its best to keep up, there is always room for improvement. Although it’s likely too late for the class of 2019 to have better Wi-Fi, hopefully underclassmen will see a better connection.
The internet connection at Bowling Green High has been a frequent source of frustration for students, whether for the excruciatingly long login time on library computers or having websites such as Netflix blocked from student access. The connection varies depending on device and location, but the general consensus is that school Wi-Fi is subpar.
Without getting too technical, Wi-Fi is measured in megabits per second (mbps). According to The Brookings Institute, the average mbps for schools across America doesn’t meet the expected standards. Bowling Green High School sits at about half of that with 1.2 mbps whereas the average household in the US contains ten or more mbps.
Although slower connections are expected with so many people using the Wi-Fi at once, the problem stems from the lack of any attempt to improve upon it. Ask any senior, and they’ll say that the Wi-Fi has either stayed the same or worsened over the years. Mitchell Klutsy, a senior at BGHS, says that this issue is due to “the chromebooks they give the freshman each year, which take up the bandwidth and slow the internet.”
When the seniors were freshmen, there was about one phone per person, and all the computers in computer labs connected to the Wi-Fi. Now, that includes all the laptops that the student population, with the exception of the seniors, has. Although more devices have been added, the total bandwidth the district provides has remained constant or decreased.
Next year, all the students at BGHS will have chromebooks at their disposal, and with the current mbps, it will prove to be difficult to keep up with. With the addition of the new school building, it’s likely that the district will update the connection speeds enough to sustain its student body. Nothing is concrete and if there is to be any advancement in the Wi-Fi, student outcry must remain persistent and adamant.
Bowling Green High School has lasted as long as it has because its ability to adapt with the changing times. And while the district is doing its best to keep up, there is always room for improvement. Although it’s likely too late for the class of 2019 to have better Wi-Fi, hopefully underclassmen will see a better connection.
By Carlos Quintanilla