Implications for Technology in Education Legislative Mandates and Government Regulations

Andrene Miller Audrey Clarke Donnette Turner Esmie Muschette Precious Heron Norman Wright Presented By

 Introduction  What are Legislative Mandates?  Technology Regulation in Education.  The Importance of Legislations for Technology in Education.  Conclusion  References Content

In recent years we have seen an increase in the use of technology within Jamaican schools. The integration of technology in schools will give students access to the internet, educational resources and a broader scope of information. This progression requires thorough analysis in order to be successful as we can identify various issues that adversely affect the use of technology in education. As a result, legislative mandates and government regulations are necessary in order to regulate as well as monitor the effective implementation and use of technology in education. Introduction

According to Merriam-Webster (2015) a mandate is “an official order to do something, or the power to act that voters give to their elected leaders”. Legislative mandates relate to how government representatives enact policies that address issues affecting the country. The use of technology in education requires thorough analysis before implementation, ongoing assessments of issues affecting how technology is being used, and facilitating a means for improvement What are Legislative Mandates?

The Government of Jamaica has developed several mandates for technology in education in Jamaica. These projections are clearly stated in the Vision 2030 policy. This vision is for the continued enhancement of the legal and regulatory framework to promote industry development, transparency, true competition, consumer protection and quality standards, based on the dynamic nature of Information Communications Technology sector. What are Legislative Mandates?

Technology use in education and in general is guided by laws in many countries. There needs to be legal guidelines to effectively regulate technology use in order to maximize benefits and to deter negative implications. The Information Communications Technology sector in Jamaica is governed by several pieces of legislation including the: Telecommunications Act (2000), Electronic Transactions Act (2006), Fair Competition Act (1993), Consumer Protection Act (2005), and the Office of Utilities Regulations Act (1995). Technology Regulation in Education

As it relates to technology in education, the regulatory body is the e-Learning Jamaica Co. Ltd. which was established in 2005 as the Agency of the Ministry with responsibility for the Telecommunication portfolio. They act as the implementation arm for approved interventions funded through the Universal Access Fund under the Telecommunications Act (e-Learning Jamaica, n.d.) They also promote the integration and infusion of technology in the education system, and are responsible for implementing the e-Learning Project. Technology Regulation in Education

The main goals of the e-Learning Jamaica Project are to: improve the quality of education, enhance the learning experience and ensure high levels of passes in the CXC Exams. (e-Learning Jamaica, n.d.) The e-Learning Project provides instructional materials, technology infrastructure, teacher training, remedial education and continuous assessment as it relates to the use of technology in high schools. (e-Learning Jamaica, n.d.) Technology Regulation in Education

While the e-Learning Jamaica project operates under standard policies and procedures, there needs to be national legislations to further monitor and regulate technology in education. These legislations are needed so as to hold school administrators and practitioners accountable for quality utilization of technology in education. It is important for the government to put controls and standards in place as it relates to technology in education in Jamaica. The Importance of Legislations for Technology in Education

These policies would help to raise standards and aide in the improvement in the Information Communications Technology sector in Jamaica. Legislation can also contribute to equity in technology access in the education system. The Importance of Legislations for Technology in Education

The policies of the Ministry of Education for technology in education are going in the right direction. The eLearning project in the Secondary Schools is quite positive and productive. This initiative only needs to be extended in order to impact the entire education system in Jamaica. Policies need to be developed in order to address issues such as equitable access, current technologies, screening of the technology and budgeting. Jamaica needs to take examples from productive first world countries and implement established best practices. Conclusion

 Merriam-Webster. (2015). Definition of Mandate. Retrieved from:  e-Learning Jamaica. (n.d.). The Company. Retrieved from:  e-Learning Jamaica. (n.d.). 10 Things you should know about the e-Learning Jamaica High School Project. Retrieved from:  Means, B., Roschelle, R., Penuel, W., Sabelli, N., and Haertel, G. (2004). Technology’s contribution to teaching and policy: Efficiency, standardization, or transformation? In: Floden, R. (ed.), Review of Research in Education, Vol. 27. Washington, DC, American Educational Research Association. References