A method for associating handheld calculators with a network host system of a classroom network that includes receiving a service set identifier (SSID) of the classroom network by a handheld calculator, wherein the SSID includes a network mode indicator, and operating the handheld calculator according to the network mode indicator. The method may also include operating the handheld calculator in a configuration mode in which the handheld calculator sends a request for association to the network host system, wherein the request includes a unique identifier of the first handheld calculator, and acceptance of the request by the network host system, wherein authentication information for the handheld calculator is stored by the network host system to indicate that the first handheld calculator is associated with the classroom network.