Technology in Education in NYC - Assignment Example

Technology in education in NYC The use of technology in the NYC education system Introduction The modern education system has embraced the full use of technology in almost all levels of studies. The New York City is a practical example where the use of modern technology in the school system has taken roots. The increased use of modern technology in the education system exposes the education sector to a number of challenges such as hacking and damaging of the learning devices used by students. To mitigate challenges such as hacking and damaging of learning devices, the NYC local government should implement a total quality management (TQM) on education to monitor the efficiency of the use of modern technology by both the educators and learners (An, Alon, & Fuentes, 2015). The TQM approach should consist of training workshops for parents, teachers and the community as a whole, so as to impact them with the sufficient knowledge on how to monitor the students learning, and implement adequate solutions in case of deviations. Approach to the problem There are numerous methods that can be employed to ensure efficient implementation of a TQM. For instance, the NYC local government should enhance the use of effective techniques such as the Learning Analytics to assess the progress of education. The learning analytics policy approaches facilitates measurement of various elements that affect education. Learning Analytics facilitates the collection of useful information about the students, parents, and the community that can be used to regulate the use of technology in schools. In essence, the use of Learning Analytics facilitates impromptu research on learning institutions to evaluate the functionality of technology in the education field. In this regard, all the stakeholders in the education sectors should be involved in the research in order to decide the most effective means of solving the challenges facing use of technology in education. (An, Alon, & Fuentes, 2015). Another approach that the NYC education department can use to develop an effective Technology Quality Management is the use of SAM (Student activity monitor) and eSpark. Basically, eSpark is a special software that facilitates monitoring the content shared between various modern technology devices such as iPads and tablets. The Student Activity Monitor and eSpark aids in the prevention of hacking since the two software are effective for filtering online contents (eSpark, 2010). Hacking of the learning systems is a problem that has been discovered in many schools around the NYC. The use of online content filtering computer programs such as eSpark and SAM can aid in reducing hacking cases and promote security of valuable education documents. In essence, the two security soft-wares are highly effective and can curb instances of unauthorized access to important documents. The approach used to address the issue of hacking and damaging of education devices presently in the NYC presently is ineffective. Even though hacking is monitored via online platforms, the infrastructure is not convenient for complex soft-wares such as the eSpark. In addition, the mechanisms used to monitor the usage of learning devices are defective. For instance, parents are not involved fully in the monitoring devices monitoring process. Therefore, the NYC education sector should consider adopting the changes discussed above to improve the security of education documents and longevity of learning devices. Empirical Data The use of modern technology by schools in the NYC has risen at a rapid pace in the recent years. The use of NYC program regarding the use of modern technology in education covers all the institution, both the public and private learning institution. In essence, over 70% of the schools in NYC have established full equipped modern technology infrastructure in the education system. Essentially, most of the learning activities in the NYC are done online, and students can attend school from wherever they are so long as there is internet coverage. The most commonly used modern technology tools of learning include the iPhones, tablets, smartphones, and laptop computers. The NYC state government has enhanced the installation of internet facilities in schools to facilitate eLearning and to give room for the full use of modern technology devices in schools (NYC, 2015). According to New York Times, the NYC education department has facilitated the distribution of over 2000 iPad to public learning institutions to promote full use of the modern technology. A few months ago, the NYC local government initiated a $50 million project whose primary aim is to equip over 30,000 students with iPads. The projections of the project were to provide every student with an iPad to boost the quality of education in public schools. The mayor, Mr. Bloomberg, stated that the project was meant to develop the students’ intellectual ability as well as social capacities in the learning process. Winnie (2011) points out that the government has embarked on equipping classrooms with the modern technology equipment such as projectors, tablets, and interactive smart boards. Above all, the educational sector in NYC has developed teaching platforms such as e-learning, multimedia learning, and other online-supported learning platforms to facilitate easy access to education. The available data regarding the use of technology in schools portrays that the use of modern technology in education has contributed significantly to the promotion of education quality in the NYC. Research has shown that appropriate use of educational technology supports the students’ cognitive, communication, emotional and social developments during their elementary education. The traditional learning systems did not enhance conducive studying environment for the learners. Basically, educational technology has numerous benefits to students. Many students in the US usually have prior knowledge on the use of the modern technology devices before attending school. A recent research on the use of technology in elementary institutions revealed that most pupils joined the schools with some knowledge on the use at least one modern technology gadget. Essentially, many children can operate a cell phones as young as the age of 5 years old. At least 77% of the parents believe that tablets and other modern technology devices improve the children’s creativity and learning capacity. Moreover, 72% of Apple’s hot-selling applications are typically designed for elementary and preschooler pupils. From the available statistics, it can be noted that technology is not just influencing the tertiary scholars but also the elementary pupils. The educational technology encompasses all the technological theories that enhance learning in schools. Educators have confirmed that the embracement of modem technology in schools have promoted the engagement of students during learning. The use of the advanced technologies devices such mobile photos and computers has created a fun atmosphere for learning. Students have varied styles of learning and, therefore, technology provides a convenient learning environment. IPads, tablets and desktop computers assist the parents and the teachers in providing a personalized environment for learning as well as interactively with the installed apps and games. The devices come with a range of online tools, games and storytelling applications that enable the students to engage effectively than the traditional system. The educators also have easier times teaching since the technologies consist of presentations and animations that make facilitation simpler and easier than the traditional blackboards and textbooks (Kats, 2013). Conclusion In summary, the use of modern technology the NYC’s education sector should be regulated to enhance the security of import document and information. Some information can be very disastrous when it leaks to the students. In the regard, the education department in the NYC should establish effective security measures to mitigate the cases of hacking and to reduce damaging of learning devices by students. In essence, all stakeholders in the education sector should join hands to improve the security of the use of technology in learning. The use of technology in education bears positive outcomes when used appropriately. However, unsecured use of technology in education can result in huge losses for the government and the community as a whole. References: An, H., Alon, S., & Fuentes, D. (2015). Tablets in K-12 education: Integrated experiences and implications. Hershey, PA. eSpark, 2010. Technology in the Classroom at Mineola. Retrieved on 26th Apr 2015 from: http://www.esparklearning.com/results/technology-in-the-classroom-at-mineola.html Kats, Y. (2013). Learning management systems and instructional design: Best practices in online education. Hershey, PA. NYC. (2015). Data & technology tools. Retrieved on 26th Apr 2015 from: http://www.nyc.gov/html/truancy/html/tfi/tools.shtml Winnie, H. 2011. Math That Moves: Schools embrace the iPads. Retrieved on 26th Apr 2015 from: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/education/05tablets.html?_r=0 Read More