Pay Bill
A Homework Power-up
CEO/General Manager
Fast Internet Helps Students Win the Game
Do you remember when homework meant pulling out textbooks and maybe heading to the library? Those days are long gone. Instead, students need internet access just as much as they need pencils and paper, if not more. And it’s a resource Sandhill is excited to provide.
I’ve often mentioned the digital divide, describing how the performance and reliability of internet service in some rural communities lag behind the options found in metropolitan areas. Bridging that gap is a fundamental reason for our commitment to create and maintain a vibrant network to serve you.
With the school year in full swing, it’s an opportunity to reflect on 1 example of just how deeply these services benefit families and students throughout our area. It’s transformative, right down to something as fundamental and necessary as homework.
Not only must students master today’s digital tools, but they’re also on the edge of a new frontier. Artificial intelligence is becoming more robust and far more common, and its use will only expand. The students of today will depend on these tools, which are as different from pen and paper are from the internet.
Every parent or guardian must choose how best to guide a child. But let me offer a few humble suggestions for making the best use of these amazing resources.
Don’t be intimidated by AI tools like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot—dive in with your student. Try asking the same question in a Google search and then through an AI platform. Compare the answers, spot the differences, and discover what each tool does best. This hands-on exploration helps both you and your child understand how these technologies work. Where they excel. And where more work is needed.
Of course, with great digital power comes the need for smart safety practices. Consider establishing clear household rules about internet use. Emphasize why personal information should never be shared online and make sure everyone in your family knows how to spot suspicious links or downloads. October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and we regularly share cybersecurity tips in this newsletter. Please pass that knowledge along to your children.
No matter what career path your children eventually choose, digital fluency will be part of their daily reality. Today’s doctors manage patient records through sophisticated software systems. Auto mechanics diagnose engine problems using online databases and diagnostic tools. Small-business owners run everything from payroll to customer relationships through cloud-based platforms. Digital literacy isn’t optional anymore—it’s foundational.
When students have dependable internet access and understand how to harness its power effectively, everything else falls into place more naturally. They have the opportunity to tap into educational resources that spark their curiosity and keep them engaged with learning in ways that seemed impossible just a generation ago.
That’s the future we’re building together, one reliable connection at a time.