Introduction
An efficient information system is inevitable in schools for effective and resourceful learning. The very foundation of the administration of schools depends on the information system available there. An effective information system keeps the students as well as the management updated. It can also meet the administrative and the instructional needs of the institution effectively. For the smooth running of any organization a powerful technology foundation is required.
The software applications that manage everything from admission to the issuance of final certificate at times cannot perform their whole work together. But many researchers in the field concerned have removed these drawbacks. Today one can notice a sudden development in almost all fields especially in information technology. These sophisticated changes in the field have an impact on the educational system as a whole.
Different applications have been introduced to cope with the existing situation. The adaptation of software, tailor-made to suit the needs and to meet the demands has had its desired results. Software engineers are in search of new and sophisticated applications to meet the possible demand that may arise at any point of time in the near future. This paper intends to bring out the salient features of an effective information system and its elements and functions with reference to the advancement in the field.
Main text
The information system which helps in every field to gather knowledge has gained prominence over the years. An effective information system is needed for the smooth running of any kind of organization in the modern world. The specialty of the period is that the information system plays a crucial role in every aspect of life. (Information System, 2008).
“An information system is an integrated set of components for collecting, storing, processing and communicating information.” (Information System, 2008). The information system plays an important role in almost all fields especially in the field of education. Many organizations business firms and individuals depend fully on information systems to control, manage and arrange things in a better manner. The dependence of modern man on computerized operations is getting increased day by day.
The modern workplace, educational institutions etc have fully been computerized to increase the quality as well as output. One of the main features of computer-based information is that it is more reliable and effective. System managers play an important role in the effective implementation of technology. The advent of information systems has caused revolutionary changes in all fields. Information system is always associated with computer and computer-based information. The information system plays a vital role in disseminating knowledge across the world without time interval.
“An effective information system has mainly five elements. These elements will vary according to the system of information that is in use. If the information system is a communication system the elements are the information source, transmitter, a channel, receiver and destination. Under a computer information system these elements are workload, response time, throughput, resource utilization, and resource service time.” (What are the Five Elements of Information System, 2007). The elements of an effective communication system have a wider role to play in disseminating knowledge across the world.
An effective information system has many functions to perform. It carries out multiple functions including dissemination of knowledge. An effective information system enables the users to be more information competent. With the help of an effective information system one can easily compile information without consuming much time. Searching for and analysis of information is prompt in an effective information system. It also enables to creation of new information from the old one. Anyhow the main function that an effective information system performs is nothing other than the spreading of knowledge.
In the modern network-based life, SIF compliance program has got a wider significance and acceptance.” SIF is an initiative driven by K-12 education technology and it helps the educators revolutionize the management and accessibility of data within schools and districts.” (Schools Interoperability Framework Launches SIF Compliance Program, 2003). SIF enables the users to handle multiple applications. It can effectively share data and is quite reliable and secure.
SIF has united more than 120 education technology providers, schools, districts etc. and has helped teachers as well as students to find more time for teaching and studies. SIF is actually school’s interoperability framework and is a nonprofit organization run by K-12 education technology providers. As Kelly Goodrich
suggests “Pearson Digital Learning has been a leading participant in the SIF movement from the very beginning, seamless data sharing between various programs will allow school systems to streamline operations through more efficient information management and increased data accuracy.” (Press releases). SASIxp is the widely used student information system which is available in the market. It is much comprehensive and it works with any SIF agent without any formatting and programming.
The education industry’s first independent SIF application integrator was Edustructures which enabled a comprehensive application integration solution and it provided independent application integration built on the SIF standard. Actually Pearson Digital Learning was the pioneer in the field of comprehensive digital technologies for pre-K-12 education; but now the place has been taken over by the Schools Interoperability Framework. Moreover SIF is an industry-supported technical blueprint rather than a product in the market and is important in the selection process in the information system of students.
“The Act No Child Left Behind was signed into law on January 8, 2002. It amends and reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, which includes most federal K-12 education programs.” (Resources About the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, 2008). The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is often abbreviated as NCLB and this Act reiterated the need for effective functioning of a number of federal programs aiming at the improvement of the performance of U.S primary and secondary schools. The Act stood for the increased need for the focus on reading and it reshuffled the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
The Act was passed in the House of Representatives on May 23, 2001 and was later signed into Law. It is the latest federal legislation that enacted the outcome-based education. A criterion was put forward by the authorities for the schools to receive federal funding by which the schools had to implement assessment in basic skills for all students up to a grade. With regard to the enactment of the law the Schools Interoperability Framework was brought in.
An effective information system keeps schools updated and inventive. Students get a number of gains from an effective information system. The round development of students depends upon the exposure that they can have at the time of their schooling.
Summary
To make it possible there must be an effective information system free from all pollutions. Children who are students today will be the masters tomorrow. In order to build a secure future they must be given such an education that will certainly cater to the demands of tomorrow. The information system in schools must be capable of giving immediate access to all school data including pieces of information that are in different systems.
The information system which is capable of enhancing efficiency and improving skills in learning is to be preferred. The information system that is chosen should suit the students. The information system which is capable of getting data updated in other applications when stored in one system is preferable as it saves money and time. More than everything the information system should befit students and they must be capable of improving themselves by enhancing knowledge and learning potential. As they are the masters to control the world tomorrow, students must have access to a better and improved information system.
Reference
Information System, (2008). Encyclopedia Britannica. Web.
Information System, (2008). Encyclopedia Britannica. Web.
What are the Five Elements of Information System, (2007). Blurtit. Web.
Schools Interoperability Framework Launches SIF Compliance Program, (2003). Edustructures. Web.
Resources About the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, (2008). NCELA. Web.
Press releases. Person. Web.