Do Smarter Networks Mean Successful Students?

If you asked 5 people for definitions of "smart" or "success," you would likely receive responses with similarities and differences. Webster's definition of "smart" includes "showing intelligence," "mentally alert," and/or "witty, clever." Likewise, Webster's definition of "success" includes "having the desired result" or "having gotten or achieved wealth, respect, or fame." Using these definitions, let's dive deeper into the smarter networks = successful students question.

Smarter Networks

Smart networks that "show intelligence," or are "mentally alert," are those with insight into what is taking place on the network. They can adapt and be predictive. If they are "witty/clever," then they are intuitive and can integrate network tools and resources to meet the needs of individual users. The ability to support/block applications, deliver content at various bandwidths, use Wi-Fi, leverage existing low-bandwidth cabling, conduct Wi-Fi tests prior to a new use case, securely deploy, support IoT-enabled environments, and be able to do all of this in a BYOD culture, is surely evidence of a smart network. But what is a smart network's connection to successful students?

Successful Students

You might agree that "success" is relative to the individual. A "desired result" or "achieved wealth" may mean different things to different people. It is a personal measurement. According to recent studies, just as success is personal to each individual, so too must be learning. Say what?! How can Higher Education possibly individualize learning? For a variety of valid reasons, teachers do what they are comfortable with (lecture, for example), what they are confident in (possibly low-tech), and within the boundaries of 24 hours in a day (they can't find time to individualize teaching). Learners must then adapt to each individual instructor. Although adaptation is a great life lesson, research indicates students are most successful when they have personalized learning experiences. Can learning management systems track student's progress and guide them towards "individual" learning paths? Can assessments baseline a student's knowledge and suggest a course of learning? Can data sources give awareness to what is best for a student? Sure! But setting a digital footprint and map for personalized learning is only part of the picture…the network must do its job.

Smarter Networks = Successful Students?

那么，网络与个性化学习和学生成功有什么关系？如果机构选择从顶部下来采用个性化学习，或通过基层努力，网络必须支持它，这意味着智能，精神警报和聪明！就像房子的基础一样，顶部的坐姿只是和下面的东西一样好。那么，更聪明的网络意味着成功的学生？让我们保持真实。无法保证更智能的网络将产生100％的成功学生。但为什么不确保网络支持学习者达到其全部潜力，无论使用技术。没有达到全面潜在的成功迹象吗？

To learn more, read thelatest Educause review on personalized learningand thenew Aruba solutions that support "smart" networks.