After revisiting the course readings, one topic stood out to me the most. The reason for that is because I have seen this system being utilized across the school system. From the classroom to central office, databases have become important means of storage that can assist teachers with identifying skills to be taught or keeping demographics of a school system to apply for grants.
What is a database? The term database refers to a system of complete, easily retrievable and organized information that is accessible electronically and easily manipulated. (retrieved from: http://searchsqlserver.techtarget.com/definition/database)
A school’s effective use of data can enable the successful identification and implementation of appropriate strategies ultimately leading to standards attainment and student learning increase.
However, many schools do not use data to promote increased student learning or standards implementation. The reasons for this varies. One prominent reason is due to an inadequate way of formulating data and effectively inputting and storing the data.
In the case study reviewed in Educational Leadership and Planning for Technology, One of the recommendations for the district was to streamline the database for each school/campus and make it more user-friendly for each particular school/campus. This is important to have access to students' information for that one particular campus versus access to all students within the district.
In addition to streamlining the database for per campus access, streamlining the database can also protect the wide area network from a possible security breach that could affect the entire database. The database will be connected yet be each campus will have its on firewall and-and security software in place to ensure safety of the students' private information.
In addition to streamlining the database for per campus access, streamlining the database can also protect the wide area network from a possible security breach that could affect the entire database. The database will be connected yet be each campus will have its on firewall and-and security software in place to ensure safety of the students' private information.
1. THE News Update. (n.d.). Retrieved February 24, 2016, from https://thejournal.com/Articles/2015/10/06/2-School-Systems-Opt-for-Database-Management-Tools-To-Analyze-Performance.aspx
2. Picciano, A. G., & Picciano, A. G. (1998). Educational leadership and planning for technology. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.
3. http://www.edutopia.org/blog/online-resources-primary-source-documents-monica-burns retrieved March 1, 2016
3. http://www.edutopia.org/blog/online-resources-primary-source-documents-monica-burns retrieved March 1, 2016
4. https://www.google.com/search?q=database+clipart&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiJ2OXVqqbLAhWrm4MKHdpkCSQQ_AUIBygB&biw=1366&bih=599#imgrc=axegzcZQIEcszM%3A, retrieved March 1, 2016
I enjoyed reading your blog! I also appealed to the Database aspect during the reading. Databases are very important but should remain protected, as they contain valuable information to all stakeholders. When I read your blog, I was reminded of the recent database breach at Jacksonville State University. http://www.al.com/news/anniston-gadsden/index.ssf/2016/02/report_suspect_being_questione.html AL.com reported a great deal on this issue. Databases must be protected for all stakeholders and must be maintained in order to be effective! Thank you again for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJessica, your blog post touches on a very relevant issue going on in America. Data breach occur daily and it is vital that our students' information is protected with the upmost security. LIke Emily, I also recall reading about the Jacksonville State University database breach. In a recent article, the author states, "Typically, the greatest security weaknesses of school districts is a lack of IT resources coupled with the need to provide greater access to the network. With most of their IT dollars focused on meeting their educational mission, many schools look to educational service agencies or state-level education departments to meet their cybersecurity needs. In general, K-12 IT systems tend to spend less on sophisticated protections than those of large corporations, making them easier to penetrate." I have to agree with this author because at least once a mouth I receive an email from out IT department warning us not to open a particular email because it is a "virus". Thanks for bring a very important topic to the forefront of our minds.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.plantemoran.com/perspectives/articles/2015/pages/avoiding-a-data-breach-cybersecurity-at-k12-institutions.aspx