A key WGI business strategy is to assist
educational institutions implement technology in the classroom. WGI
believes that one of the most important uses of information technology
is to improve education in institutional organizations—K-12, colleges
and universities, trade schools, and extended learning entities.
That’s why WGI developed a vision for technology in education . . . .Making
the Connection: Technology and Education—A Pathway to the Future.
With this vision in mind, WGI professionals enable schools to merge
computing and communication technologies into classrooms in a number
of ways from installing data cabling to connecting legacy computers to
newer systems.
WGI’s most recent
school cabling infrastructure installation was for Denton ISD (DISD).
The DISD project entailed the installation of over 1,000 voice and
high-speed data copper and fiber nodes encompassing five (5)
elementary school campuses. The project team included WGI’s T. J.
Ridout, Derrick Smith, Bob Marvel and Herman Manning with CAD
documentation support from Bob Skowronski.
“We are an educational institution entrusted with
safety of our community's children and we chose the Wilkins Group to
provide our network cable infrastructure to our schools. The Wilkins
Group earned our trust by providing timely and professional services
mostly after normal school hours. We use the Wilkins Group for our
cable needs,” says Ernie Stripling, Technology Information Officer,
DISD.
Additional education-related projects that WGI
has completed include providing data cabling infrastructure for
several schools and facilities for Magnolia ISD and Richardson ISD (RISD),
creating Plano ISD’s Web site, training PISD students on how to
maintain the site, training RISD teachers on Microsoft products, and
telecommunications connectivity for Paul Quinn University. WGI is also
a strong advocate for mentoring our community’s youth and speaking to
K-12 grade students regarding preparing for the job market, being a
good citizen, and preparing for college.
To assist WGI determine the best services for
schools, we have even created an advisory committee consisting of nine
education professionals that include superintendents, principals, city
council representatives, state officials, and a former secretary of
state aid. With assistance from this group, WGI provides the most
needed services to educational institutions. Most of the schools that
WGI provide service to take advantage of state technology grants, e.g.
Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF) and E-Rate. TIF Board
Member, and WGI CEO, Tom Wilkins says that TIF funding is enabling
schools to implement technology, thus raising Texas schools above any
other state.
Implementing current technologies and
applications into educational institutions is critical to providing
top education to students. Essentially, WGI services make it easier
than ever for students to learn in the 21st century. WGI
looks toward a time when all students, teachers, parents, and society
as a whole are joined in a global learning community that offers new
opportunities for education and lifelong learning. WGI is Making
the Connection: Technology and Education—A Pathway to the Future.
