Presentation on the need for legislation and regulations in relation to technology in Jamaica's educational system.

1. Implications for Technology in Education
Legislative Mandates and
Government Regulations

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

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

4. 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

5. 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?

6. 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?

7. 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

8. 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 2000. (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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13.  Merriam-Webster. (2015). Definition of Mandate. Retrieved from:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mandate
 e-Learning Jamaica. (n.d.). The Company. Retrieved from:
http://www.elearnja.org/?page_id=1196
 e-Learning Jamaica. (n.d.). 10 Things you should know about
the e-Learning Jamaica High School Project. Retrieved from:
http://www.elearnja.org/?page_id=1693
 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