Free Wi-Fi now available on bus route to Pine Trail Elementary, Hinson Middle and Mainland High

Ormond Beach Observer
News

Students on bus route 131 will have the opportunity for mobile learning during their commute starting April 3.

Approximately 80 students who attend Pine Trail Elementary, Hinson Middle and Mainland High will be the first students in Volusia to be able to access to digital classroom materials and complete assignments online through the free BYOT network while on the school bus.

Bus rules for student use of technology on route 131:

Students must use their own technology. No sharing or passing around devices.
Students must use their own earbuds or earphones for any online activity that has sound.
Students must not be engaged in any bullying behavior that involves the technology.

According to a press release from the Volusia County School Board, the impact of this pilot program will be measured through the collection monthly information on bus-related behavior referral data, the number of students accessing the network, student completion of digital assignments and time-on-task for students accessing the digital curriculum.

Five additional bus routes will be added later this spring. By providing a structured roll-out of Wi-Fi on school buses, the district will be able to extend learning beyond the classroom walls and close the “homework gap” that is present for students who do not have access to Wi-Fi at home.

Many students endure a commute of up to 60 minutes one way, and those hours add up over the year. Students end up spending hundreds of hours on the school bus during the school year. In addition to daily commutes, educational Wi-Fi on buses provides an opportunity for student-athletes traveling to away games or students on field trips to take advantage of travel time and extend learning beyond the classroom.