Tech company Asurion offers free tech support hotline for Metro Schools students, teachers doing virtual learning

With thousands of students and teachers online this semester, technology problems can quickly lead to a host of issues for students trying to access academic instruction and teachers leading classrooms.

Nashville-based global tech company Asurion launched its own "Tech Sanity Hotline" this week to help ensure teachers, students and parents can stay connected.

Metro Nashville Public Schools students have been learning remotely from home since the school year began on Aug. 4 and will continue learning virtually until at least October. At least 1 in 4 Tennessee students are learning online, and like Metro Schools saw on the first day of school, tech woes can have a significant impact. 

“A quick look across social media and parents’ groups, and you see how parents and teachers are struggling. The tech challenges really hit home, with one parent even offering to pay someone to log their kids in each morning,” said Sarah Day, vice president of marketing at Asurion, in a news release. “This is what Asurion does every day through our Home+ service. We have thousands of experts helping people.  We understand that many parents and teachers aren’t tech experts, and our team can make sure tech is working for our hometown students and teachers.”

Students, teachers and parents can visit Asurion.com/SchoolTechHelp or call 1-866-463-3773 six days a week (Monday through Saturday) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for free help with any home tech issues.

Experts will be available to assist with how-to instructions, questions and tips for boosting your internet connection, using WiFi hot spots, troubleshooting slow internet speeds and adding parental controls to a laptop or tablet.

Families can also take advantage of a special partnership with nine uBreakiFix stores that are offering free diagnostic reviews and discounts off laptop, computer or tablet repairs through fall break.

Metro Schools' more than 86,000 students are slated to begin returning in-person to classrooms after fall break, with students in grades K-2 returning starting on Oct. 12 as long as the spread of the coronavirus continues to decrease in Nashville, according to the district's current plan. 

Director of Schools Adrienne Battle praised Asurion's commitment to supporting students.

“We appreciate the added level of support offered by Asurion for our students, who may experience the same technical difficulties and challenges that all of us face from time to time in our homes," Battle said in a statement Wednesday. "Community support for families is a critical component for success in our district, whether virtual or in-person, and we are grateful for Asurion’s partnership in our city.”

The district is also offering in-person tech support until Sept. 18 at five school locations.

Families can visit Robert Churchwell Elementary, Glenview Elementary, Mt. View Elementary, Tusculum Elementary or Jere Baxter Middle School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for help with equipment, software or other online learning questions.

Metro Schools issued more than 44,800 laptops to students to use at home this fall, as well as more than 13,000 mobile internet hotspots for those without access to the internet at home. 

Individuals visiting an in-person tech support location must wear a mask, get their temperature checked and maintain social distance.

Metro Schools families can also call the MNPS Help Desk at 615-269-5956 from 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. five days a week (Monday through Friday) to speak to a tech support representative. 

For more information, visit www.mnps.org/tech-support/ or Asurion.com/SchoolTechHelp.

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Meghan Mangrum covers education in Nashville for the USA TODAY NETWORK — Tennessee. Contact her at mmangrum@tennessean.com. Follow her on Twitter @memangrum.