STUDENT INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Student Information Management Systems



Student Information Management Systems

Introduction

Student Information System (SIS) is web-based application software designed to introduce a conducive and structured information exchange environment for integrating students, parents, teachers and the administration of a school or college (Stebbins, 2006). Some of the other software packages available for this purpose include Student Management System (SMS), Student Information Management System (SIMS) and Student Records System (SRS). These software systems enable educational institutions to supervise student-related activities such as keeping records of tests or examinations conducted, attendance, appraisal on performance including details of marks scored, particulars of everyday school attendance, and all other institution-related activities; in short, they provide a complete student records system (Franklin, 2007).

Objective of the Student information System

Enable self-service for students to perform basic administrative functions and tasks in a “one-stop” service and access environment.

Integrate data sources and process them through a single function that supports one-time entry of student data.

Support the retention and recruitment of students and encourage a strong and positive relationship with the university, alumni, donors, and other constituencies.

Integrate and support new learning and teaching opportunities and technologies for students and faculty.

Support open interfaces and integration with other campus applications and database systems.

Ensure data integrity, privacy, and security in an open-access environment.

Support faculty and staff who perform both basic and complex functions through simplified work processes and procedures (Bugler, 1995).

Features of Students Information Systems

Admission of students to the institution

Using an auto reply feature and a standard format, a student information system replies all the admission-related queries of students who may want to apply. Similarly, during the admission, the created database is used for sending admission letters or regret letters to the prospective students. During the enrolment of students the system stores all the main subject and optional subject details. This information is further used for automatic creation of subject classes and assignments to teachers (Eisenberg, 2004).

Availability of information from a single source

Most of the student information systems are created with an objective to store details of quality information and make them available as an integrated system. Use of such online administrative and student information systems increases the functional efficiency of an institution and improves timely decision-making processes at all levels. Availability of a student records system containing all information details at a single source enables easy percolation of the right information (McLeod, 2007).

Centralised information sourcing and management

Although the very objective of this ...