Forsyth County Schools and The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce have partnered to create a Free Wi-Fi Directory for students. This online directory provides a list and interactive map of free Wi-Fi hotspots, sponsored by organizations and businesses in Cumming-Forsyth County. The Free Wi-Fi Directory is available at www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/wifi and also accessible from the school district and school websites.
“The Free Wi-Fi Directory for Students will be an invaluable resource to students that are learning on-the-go with their mobile devices or may not have internet access in their homes,” stated Buster Evans, Superintendent of Forsyth County Schools. “We have an extremely supportive network of organizations and businesses in Cumming-Forsyth County that understand how important it is for students to stay connected for continued learning opportunities. We encourage all of our Partners in Education to collaborate with the school district and the chamber to provide this free resource to our over 39,000 students, and to all residents and visitors of our community.”
Known as a national instructional technology leader, Forsyth County Schools formed a BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) Equity Task Force this school year to study the district’s current BYOT initiatives and provide solutions for achieving technology equity for all students. The Free Wi-Fi Directory is the first recommendation from the Task Force, which is comprised of school and district staff, parents, and business and community leaders. The Task Force identified that the majority of the district’s secondary students had mobile devices. However, students were unable to use their devices once they left the school’s wireless network and many did not have a home computer with broadband access for more complicated assignments.
“Creating a Free Wi-Fi Directory is a natural expansion of services that support our community’s high quality of life standard,” stated James McCoy, President and CEO of The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. “By working together to identify and map free Wi-Fi locations, we will create a cloud of coverage that not only benefits students, but those that also live and work in our community. We strive to be the most connected county along the GA 400 Technology Corridor, and the Free Wi-Fi Directory is a step in the right direction for continued development of our economic infrastructure.”
The three Forsyth County Public Libraries and The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce are the first free Wi-Fi sponsors. Business owners that want to be added to the Free Wi-Fi Directory can CLICK HERE or visit www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/signup to add their business to the Free Wi-Fi Directory. Forsyth County Schools will send sponsors a 5 x 7 "free Wi-Fi" static cling (similar to the graphic above) to display in a prominent location at their business.
CLICK HERE for an Interactive Wi-Fi Map!
CLICK HERE for a list of Free Wi-Fi Locations!
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