Buena Vista University in Storm Lake has developed the first campuswide wireless computer network that allows students to access the Internet from virtually anywhere on campus at any time.

“It benefits the students in millions of ways,” said Paul Bowers, assistant professor of mass communication and director of teaching and learning with technology at Buena Vista. “No one ever, ever has to wait in line for a computer. No one ever says, `I have to go over there to write a paper.’ They just find a comfortable spot, sit down and go to work.”

Bowers, member of the developmental team “eBVyou,” the first wireless educational community in the nation, spoke to ISU students and faculty Thursday in the Communications Building about discovery-based learning in a wireless environment.

“Wireless networking to the Internet is here to stay,” Bowers said. “Just as the Internet gained popularity, in the not too distant future people are going to demand this type of technology.”

In order to complete the network, the university gave a laptop computer to all of the students and replaces them every two years as part of tuition costs, which increases by approximately $2,000 every other semester.

“Because of our size and that we are a private college, we don’t have to go to the federal legislature or board of trustees to raise tuition,” Bower said. “The actual four-year cost of this program is a lot less then what you could go out and buy two laptops for, which makes [this] very, very cost effective.”

The idea of having campuswide wireless networks has become more widespread across the nation, Bower said.

Currently there are numerous buildings on the ISU campus where students are able to use this technology.

“In the end, it’s something you won’t want a computer without,” said Steve Schallehn, telecommunications network engineer. “I personally take my laptop to many of the meetings I go to, and like you students, I sit there and check my e-mail while someone is giving a report.”

Although the study seemed promising, Iowa State’s chances of having a campuswide network are not likely to happen.

“It probably wouldn’t work well at ISU because of the large number of students,” Bower said. “It might be something that would work in selected programs, but the simple fact is that it’s much easier for smaller, private institutions to do this kind of thing.”