COVID-19 impact on NYC education & the IBM solution
Mayor of NYC, Bill De Blasio, recognizing this effort by IBM
As an IBMer, I took immense pride in the fact that our company shouldered the responsibility of assisting during the COVID-19 crisis.
The 15th of March, 2020 — The City of New York has closed all schools due to the on-going pandemic. This decision has posed a significant challenge in terms of providing remote education for students (grades K-12).
Unfortunately, this challenge is further exacerbated by the fact that there are more than 300,000 NYC students who did not have access to suitable devices or internet connectivity, making it difficult for them to participate in remote learning.
The IBM solution assisted with the student’s learning needs during this emergency. Through a collaborative effort involving IBM, T-Mobile, and Apple, the NYC Department of Education has successfully mobilized and implemented this solution, enabling students in need to access essential educational resources.
Thanks to the support of IBM Global Technology Services, the logistics of distributing 300,000 cellular-enabled devices had been efficiently handled.
Additionally, 4 sites have been established to provision more than 25,000 devices per week. These efforts enabled virtual learning for over 1 million students and 75,000 teachers in New York City.
Doing my part to help
I have never been more proud to be an IBMer, especially since I was given the opportunity to contribute value to this exceptionally crucial emergency response.
Banner graphics
The emergency response task force, who was responsible for leading this effort, assigned me the urgent task of designing a website in response to the escalating concerns surrounding COVID-19.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, I swiftly started on the design process to ensure the availability of crucial information in a timely manner..
Timeline progression graphics
Finalized banner
Given the profound impacts of COVID-19, it is crucial to ensure that the website effectively conveys a message of seriousness and unity.
Through the carefully thought out design choices and compelling content, I sought to inspire a sense of solidarity among visitors, encouraging them to come together and face the challenges posed by the pandemic as a united front.
Remote Learning site hand out (digital page 1)
Remote Learning site hand out (digital pages 2 and 3)
I had the privilege of my website being presented to Ginni Rometty, the former President and CEO of IBM, along with other esteemed leaders within the company, including vice presidents and general managers.
This opportunity allowed me to showcase the website's design, its messaging, and its potential impact in addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic.
My work was also recognized by the new IBM CEO, Arvind Krishna.
“...I’m really proud of of the work we are doing with the City of New York. Working for the state, we have delivered 300,000 tablets with educational software and free cellular connections to help students learn remotely.”
Presenting to such influential figures within IBM provided valuable insights and feedback, further enriching the project and enhancing its potential to make a difference.