COMPUTING & IT RESOURCES
The digital foundations of modern education: why connectivity is more than just internet access
M
odern-day connectivity goes far beyond just internet access. However, with budget cuts and a lack of awareness on what’s available on the market, education establishments are usually left behind in the network game. NICK SHEA, Director of Education at IT managed service provider Wavenet, shares the benefits that investing in strong connectivity brings to the classroom. In the last decade, education has experienced a seismic shift. With the introduction of digital tools, cloud-based resources, and hybrid learning models,
the way that both students learn, and educators teach has been transformed. Yet, underpinning all of these innovations is one often- overlooked factor: connectivity.
All too often, connectivity in education is reduced to a simple matter of broadband speeds and Wi-Fi coverage. But, in reality, it is far more than just internet access and is the umbrella term that keeps the network operating. It provides the foundation of modern learning, the enabler of digital equity, and is the key to unlocking the full potential of technology in education.
The real question is, how future proof is the connectivity infrastructure?
Beyond the basics: Rethinking connectivity in schools Schools have moved beyond traditional IT infrastructures. With cloud-based learning platforms, interactive content, and AI-powered educational tools becoming standard, the demands on school networks have never been greater. But a fast connection alone doesn’t quite cut it anymore.
At the core of an effective school network are the three Rs of connectivity: Robust, Reliable, and Resilient. A robust network ensures that schools can handle increasing digital demands without lagging or interruptions. Reliability is essential for maintaining seamless access to online resources, preventing disruptions that impact both students and teachers. Resilience ensures that networks can withstand unexpected failures, from cyber threats to physical damage, keeping digital learning environments operational at all times.
Today’s education environment requires networks that can handle: • Scalability. Overloading the network is a leading cause of downtime. As more devices and applications get introduced to the classroom, does the network have the ability to expand without performance taking a hit?
• Reliability. Connectivity issues significantly disrupt lessons, impact engagement, and create digital learning inequalities. Can teachers rely on the network to keep going, no matter what?
• Intelligent Network Management. Schools need networks that can prioritise traffic intelligently, ensuring critical applications like virtual lessons and exam platforms function seamlessly. Does the network ensure that teachers need not worry when accessing their documents?
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www.education-today.co.uk March 2025
Recognising these challenges, the UK government has committed to ensuring every school in England has high-speed internet by 2025 and is investing £150 million to upgrade Wi-Fi connections in schools. Additionally, up to 3,000 primary schools in rural England will receive gigabit broadband connections to future-proof their networks. However, meeting these standards requires expertise and strategic planning. The Department for Education’s updated digital and technology standards are in place to ensure that safe, reliable and cost-effective digital infrastructures are achievable – by implementing best practices, schools can create environments where digital education is truly seamless.
The hybrid learning reality: can connectivity keep up? The pandemic accelerated the adoption of hybrid and remote learning, but it also exposed significant gaps within the system. While some schools had the infrastructure to adapt, others struggled with bandwidth limitations, unreliable connections, and digital exclusion. Even as in-person learning has returned to normal, hybrid learning remains a key part of education today, whether through online homework portals, remote guest lessons, or collaborative projects across sites.
However, access to connectivity unfortunately remains deeply unequal. As reported by the Digital Youth Index, 15% of young people in the UK lack home broadband access, rising to 23% among those receiving free school meals. Even more shockingly, that same report reveals that nearly 570,000 young people lack both a learning device and home internet connection, making digital participation almost impossible.
The impact of lost teaching time
As is often the case, the positives and the negatives are usually the extremes. When it works well, it’s great, however, as soon as
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