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SchoolHow many students have expressed that they have low quality or no Internet access?Please share some of the reasons that students/families have shared for having low quality or no Internet access?Any other anecdotal comments about student internet access?How many Teachers, if any, have expressed that they have low quality or no internet access?How many support staff, if any, have expressed that they have low quality or no internet access?Please share some of the reasons that staff have shared for having low quality or no Internet access?Any other anecdotal comments about staff internet access?Entry Date
SMBA18

Some of the families do not have high speed internet. There internet is very slow and spotty. They cannot watch videos. Four of these student do not have internet. In some cases this is because of finances and in others it is the remote area they live in.

11

It is largely due to the remote area they live in.

April 7, 2020
SRHS48

- an issue of cost to have access at home
- staying with friends/family members and rely on data on their phones
- lack of availability of high-speed internet in their area
- some rely on a pay-per-use service for internet
- issues of internet slowing down considerably during high-use times
- issues of many people in the house trying to access the internet at the same time

See answer above

10

For the teacher, they have a pay-per-use service and it is becoming costly with participating in virtual staff meetings, collaborative meetings, and now teaching.

Some have talked about the increased data use on their personal phones and the increased cost associated with that.

April 7, 2020
BMHS28

Slow
Financial reasons
Rural internet
Poor service

Some don’t have the financial
Means

41

Internet is capped
Poor service, lines need upgrade
Not reliable
Slow, difficult to do google meetings and hangouts

April 7, 2020
ERMES19

Internet is always very slow. When they have access it is low quality, some line drops during use. There are limited options for internet choices.
2 students did not have any internet. 2 students did not have computers.

Shag Harbour/Woods Harbour area has always had low quality internet access as well as cell phone problems. At our school cell phone service does not have reliable reception.
A few students have chosen to use the print materials.

20

two staff members said the internet was low quality/not good at all. One staff member has to use an older laptop which is making it hard to use internet as the there are problems with the cord, plug in. So there is an equipment issue as well as low quality service.

April 7, 2020
PMCS500April 7, 2020
YCMHS87

Very slow
Just do not have internet
Some have a phone and that is it
Works one week and not the next
Dial up
Several families have not called back after many calls from us to have cinversation.

00April 7, 2020
CHES37

No internet, or spotty, no tech or limiting screen time.

I suspect the ones that are limiting screen time may change over to Elearning but that is very few.

20

Grade 4- Jannah Symonds
The only internet that is offered in my area is Rural Connect (Cape Island). This internet is only good for basic needs, emailing general web-browsing and some videos. The download speeds are not fast and the weather and the amount of people that is on the internet can affect it. It allows me 15 GB and 2 dollars per GB applies thereafter (up to a maximum of $20). Most times I use the data on my phone, so I can get faster internet.

Primary/One-Melissa Barron
I wanted to reach out to you with my concerns with adequately supporting students through our eLearning option. Where I live in Shag Harbour, there is no high speed internet, and we use a rural internet service called explore net. This internet is spotty at best and does not allow me to as you know, connect through video during staff meetings on Google Meet, it often lags video, and I'm worried if I have to upload videos to my online platform. I often need to use my data in order to send emails, go on social media, and to watch videos (i.e., live video of updates from our Premier). I also struggle with when I am using data, my cell service isn't always reliable. The weather impacts my cell service and Wi-Fi such as on days when it's raining and windy. I believe in order to support students to my full potential, I will need to purchase additional data to ensure I am always able to support and reach my kids and their families.

I have two other teachers concerned, but have been able to do the tasks so far. They are going to try eLearning and let me know if any issues arise.

Nope, says it all above!

April 7, 2020
Regional Staff4

1. data cap on usage
2. poor quality-cuts in an out
3. low quality router
4. slows down because of the number of people in the household using it.

if we could get some clarity about folks being charged for data usage that would be good. some are very concerned with the bill they may receive.

April 7, 2020
ICS18

The internet for both islands, servicing ICS families, is satellite delivered and not connected via a wired connection. Some places on the island do not receive a signal from the main telecommunication provider Mainland Telecommunications. Xploprenet for example, provides service to these people, however, there are data caps (although the business is providing additional access at this time in the crisis) with their plans.

It has been expressed, that since more people are at home and using the internet the connection has been slowed throughout the islands communities. Additionally power outages or extreme weather such as ice/snow build up on the internet towers seems to prevent, throttle the speed of the internet signal.

Anecdotally speaking, the data indicated two additional issues: families expressed that they only have old technology at home, no computer, or only handheld devices, they expressed that this caused them worry when thinking about moving into this eLearning climate, and the second that the adults in the families were nervous about helping their children use the internet for learning when they might not feel comfortable with it themselves.

51

Data caps.

Satellite internet- this was explicitly expressed by three teachers, however, every islander would be faced with this to some extent..

April 7, 2020
YES45

-Lack of financial Resources.
-Cell phones being primary internet access.
-Lack of Technology in the household.

The Low internet access is related to the the data usage on the cell phones. Some parents have said that data is an issue and videos, conferencing and large flies could potentially use up data.

10

Lack of internet access and cellphone service outside the town of Yarmouth.

April 7, 2020
WCS54

Using data and having multiple users,
Living in areas of no internet access

This is the reality of the geographical layout of Weymouth, there are areas where internet providers do not reach, or the reception is very weak.

20

Living in areas where internet providers do not offer cable, fiber-op or DSL. Some have Explore Net but still it isn’t strong for multiple users, as well as video stresming.

Creates expensive video meetings when on Data.

April 7, 2020
LES11

Service area, do not pay for home wifi plans (cost)

10

Location

April 7, 2020
CCES37

Many opted for the paper package as internet was not good and “too expensive.” (Specific comments: Poor Internet Service. Cannot afford Internet. Spotty service. Does not have consistent strong internet. Internet is not strong. Internet was spotty, slow at times and not reliable.)

Reasons why they opted for the paper work packages (or both paper and E-Learning option):
Wanted both options for extra practice. Didn’t want to feel extra-pressure of logging on for school work. Wants paper because computer is broken. Wanted both options because they may not be keeping their Internet service. Wanted both options because she may not be able to get Notebooks working & for extra practice. Wants paper because older sibling will be working with younger sibling. Not Tech access. Wants paper because older siblings will be using computer for E-learning. May only have limited access to tablet or Chromebook. Student prefers paper based. Parent has no email but using a using a texting app. Split family. Internet at his grandmothers but only there on weekends. Internet speed for downloads
Dad is not tech savvy to be able to help. Internet at both houses but mom works-online so thought work packages would work best. 3 kids at home and 1 laptop for them all. Mom is working and worried that she will not have a lot of time to help. Several parents indicated they had older siblings who needed access to technology.

20

The signal is week. Inability to download certain programs/ Apps. During Google Hangout meets, the signal gets weak and device will freeze up. (Rainy weather will effect signal quality.)

Teachers have kids who are at home from university who are finishing term doing distance on-line learning. Although family members try to "Book a time" so they have sole access to the Internet, sometimes the time of class, assessments or meetings come in conflict and put a slow strian and drain on the Internet feed.

April 7, 2020
DHCS12

No Internet
Unreliable
Satellite and capped
Very slow

Lack of availability of quality internet

10

No access to reliable high speed

April 7, 2020
MCS35

We have not been able to contact all of our families so my number could be higher. Parents shared that it as slow, and not reliable- cuts out at times. One family has internet but it is capped.

12

Slow speed and one is capped (lack of availability so needs satellite?)

April 6, 2020
DES25

Most have said they have slow internet but it may be suitable for what they will be doing. Some do not have internet access at all. There were a few who said they would prefer not to use internet but do have access - those numbers were not included above.

20

Both have metered data and have exceeded their allotted amount.

April 6, 2020
DRHS30

Rural locations, low socio economic etc..

32

Rural locations

April 6, 2020
MGEC68

Living in rural areas where the internet speed is very slow. Some students do not have internet access at home as it has not been a priority monthly expense. Outside of school they have largely relied on the public library to access internet for school and gaming but the CAP sites are also closed. This is a barrier for these students.

In our town, nearly 50% of our families are low income. As a result, some of our families are not able to afford internet. That is a "urban" barrier for our students.

Rural internet in some areas is slow and unreliable. This is a rural barrier for our students.

47

Rural internet issues.

Some support staff have indicated that it is expensive.

April 6, 2020
HIA61

Not available
Poor service and now has become worse with more people on.
No high speed available until January 2021
No high speed available until fall 2020
No device and can not afford it or monthly bill

45

Not available.
Only allowed so much time and then billed above monthly cost.
Most of the Municipality won't have good internet until January 2021.

April 5, 2020
Regional Staff0

NA

NA

00

NA

This is the literacy team (English). We are all good.

April 3, 2020
Regional Staff1

Shaunda - has internet but it isn't great and on rainy days its pretty much not usable. She has been joining some meetings by phone to at least hear us.

April 3, 2020
LRHS30

Students are saying that the internet service in their areas is very slow and not very reliable. Quite often get booted out of sessions because too many people on at the same time.

31

Students are saying that the internet service in their areas is very slow and not very reliable. Quite often get booted out of sessions because too many people on at the same time. Many areas that internet service/signal is weak.

April 3, 2020
FRA39

Explornet Dish internet - doesn't work well in the rain and not consistent signal
Living in rural areas of the community with no high speed at the moment.

A few families have internet but still wish to use package.
Limited or dated devices at home.

11

Both living in an area with limited high speed options.

April 3, 2020
DNCS9

Service for internet is poor on Digby Neck

10

Teacher is having trouble with her tablet. not able to access the provincial elearning link error 404
Teacher has good internet access

April 3, 2020
PS48

No data
No technology
Slow internet service
Devices needed for working parents
Broken devices
Cannot afford Internet

20

I am not trying to be difficult, but I have a few issues with having to teach concepts through videos. I am on a capped data plan via satellite, due to where I live, which is also weather dependent so it is very difficult to make videos and upload them as it chews up a lot of my data . I did one to say to "hi" to my students and another one to demonstrate a writing lesson and it took a few hours to upload this. Uploading videos and spending time viewing you tube videos to teach concepts will result in me paying significant costs if I go over my capped amount. I won't be the only teacher in this situation and I'm sure there are parents in my situation, as well. Given the financial crisis some parents may be facing, I don't think it's fair to expect them to view videos. I could do a few you tube videos here and there, but using pictures and descriptions is an option that would work best for me.

April 3, 2020
SchoolHow many students have expressed that they have low quality or no Internet access?Please share some of the reasons that students/families have shared for having low quality or no Internet access?Any other anecdotal comments about student internet access?How many Teachers, if any, have expressed that they have low quality or no internet access?How many support staff, if any, have expressed that they have low quality or no internet access?Please share some of the reasons that staff have shared for having low quality or no Internet access?Any other anecdotal comments about staff internet access?Entry Date