The use of the Internet has certainly made completing schoolwork quicker, and allows students to keep up with a fast-paced world. As young adults in today's digital age, students embrace new technologies faster than they can come out. Montgomery County strives to make the fullest of technology in its education system, so that any implements will have a positive net effect on MCPS progress. In an interview, Student Member of the Board Tim Hwang disclosed information regarding MCPS’s upcoming Wi-Fi plan.

Q: What are the basic components of the upcoming Wi-Fi plan?
A: The plan is simple: any student (or member of the community for that matter) can walk in and access the internet through Wi-Fi - similar to that of the library. However, unlike the library, MCPS has very sensitive information that should be protected from the public and from hackers. Similarly, MCPS is interested in protecting its legal status - as with any organization.

Q: What are potential drawbacks of this plan?
A: There are of course problems that arise from allowing Wi-Fi access:
1) We have to make sure that all computers under the Wi-Fi system are protected from other malicious computers and vice-versa. Any and all infractions to this could possibly result in a legal liability for MCPS.
2) We have to protect students’ and staff’s vital academic information from malicious attacks from hackers. Under the new myMCPS system, administrators, teachers, etc. have access to student's test scores, grades, schedules, and personal information under one system.
3) MCPS has to develop the right regulations to ensure that we are not promoting cheating, pornography use, chatting, and bullying (as seen recently at JFK High School via Facebook) in schools. Not only is this a liability for the system, but it is also a detriment to the learning and safety of students.

Q: When will this plan be launched?
A: Once those three problems are solved, we will have it ready. We have two options until then: wait for the technology to catch up so that security systems can be updated, or buy laptops for every student in MCPS immediately with internet security. Clearly, in our budget situation, it will probably take a couple years before we see this Wi-Fi system up in place.

Q: What are your hopes and expectations of the plan once it is launched?
A: I honestly hope that this plan will be implemented, if not by me, then by future SMOBs. I have already met with supervisors and with the MCPS Chief Technology Officer, Sherwin Collette, in the hopes of getting this up and running. MCPS has the project in the pipeline; we're just waiting for the funds and the technology to implement it.