KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Learning from home is like working from home — it may sound fun at first, but it takes focus and discipline to be successful at it. It also takes a laptop and an internet connection.
So, the University of Tennessee is giving away laptops to students who need them. Some students may not have access to a computer at home, so UT wants to make sure that they don't miss out on the rest of the semester.
Students can fill out an online form to apply for a laptop. The university expects them to return the computer in good condition at a later date, according to a press release from the university.
The university has around 200 laptops it can give to students and around 215 hotspots. It also ordered more than 500 more to help accommodate students who may need them.
Hotspots are devices that allow students to connect to the internet through a service provider. They should give students a chance to log into their classrooms even if they don't have internet service at home.
The university recommends students use a wired connection whenever possible since it is usually more stable than wireless ones.
“Use a headset when doing video-audio conferencing,” Joel Reeves, chief information officer at the University of Tennessee, also recommended in a press release. “Work in an area that allows you to concentrate and pace yourself. Online learning requires discipline, and we’re here to help you succeed.”