CHAPTER 6 Networks and Networking: Linking the World
Wi-Fi: the Global, Wireless LAN Standard The term "Wi-Fi" is used in place of IEEE 802.11b HR, as "Ethernet" is used instead of IEEE 802.3. Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA) certifies interoperability of Wi-Fi products and promotes Wi-Fi as the global, wireless LAN standard. WECA announced that 54 wireless products from such companies as 3Com, Cisco, Compaq, Intel and Nokia have passed the Wi-Fi certification testing requirements, making Wi-Fi the world's leading wireless LAN (local area network) standard. What this means is that any product designated with a Wi-Fi logo will have interoperability with any other Wi-Fi certified device, such as PC wireless LAN cards or PCMCIA cards for notebooks. The lack of consensus wireless communications standards has posed a major problem to growth in the use of wireless communications devices. Perhaps Wi-Fi will emerge as the de facto standard.
The Personal Response System in the Classroom" This may be a glimpse at the college classroom of the near future. The PRS system made by Educue provides each student with a wireless remote control, similar to a TV remote. Each remote a specific ID number. At the front of the classroom a standard notebook computer is connected to a set of sensors and a projector. The students are asked a question and work together through peer instruction to answer it using their individual remotes in a specified amount of time. Once the question period is over, the entire classroom sees the histogram of the results projected onto a screen using a standard computer projector. The student's responses to each question is also saved in a file from which points and attendance can be tabulated toward a course grade. The student responses provide the teacher with just-in-time feedback to see to what degree they are grasping the material, which allows the lecturer to focus on the least understood areas. Obviously, because their grade is affected, it is the best interest of each student to attend class and participate. This technology gives the students almost daily feedback as to how they are performing in the class instead of having to wait until the first exam. It has dramatically improved learning at many universities.