Computer Information Systems in Education/Chapter 3/Section 5 -- Business/Teacher/Student Information Systems

= GSM =

Chapter Objectives:
1. List and define the phases of the System Development Cycle.

2. Describe the difference between a Parallel run and a Pilot run.

Keywords

 * 1.     Pentamation


 * 2.     Planning


 * 3.     Analysis


 * 4.     Design


 * 5.     Implementation


 * 6.     SIF Compliant


 * 7.     Parallel Run


 * 8.     Pilot Run

Concept Map for M.E.I.S (click here for larger Image)



PLANNING
Planning is the first step of the System Development Cycle, which establishes an overview of the intended project and determines goals for the project. In planning to integrate an Information System that would affect everyone in the school district it would be important to create a committee to include administrators, teachers, parents, students, and paraprofessionals.

To integrate M.E.I.S, the committee would include representatives from each of the school districts major administrative areas, schools and programs. The planning should also involve attendance clerks, scheduling clerks, registrars, counselors, and assistant principals. They are the ones who will be affected by the integration of M.E.I.S, and their input will be most valuable.

The first part of the planning process would be spent researching and identifying national, state and future trends and summarizing a set of philosophies and beliefs for the district. Then, the committee would develop a vision, mission, and at least four major goals. Once this is completed, the committee would then divide into subgroups for each of the goals that were created. Each subgroup will develop objectives for its goal and identify strategies needed to accomplish these objectives. Each strategy included a responsible party, a timeline, resources needed, assessment and date. Some goals in integrating an Information System would be:


 * For students, teachers, and staff to use this technology system to meet their teaching, learning, and productivity goals
 * It should ensure efficiency and improve the overall function of the school district
 * It should increase communication resources, allowing for distant access through networks

Planning of Implementing M.E.I.S

GANTT Chart for Planning of M.E.I.S



ANALYSIS
The second step in the System Development Cycle is Analysis, which puts the project goals created in the planning phase into defined functions. This stage analyzes both the operation of the intended IS and the needs of the end-user’s. The first step in analyzing M.E.I.S would be to identify the current situation being utilized, which is Pentamation, and how M.E.I.S can improve the current situation. The two areas to be analyzed are the Business modules and the Teacher/Student Modules.

Analysis of Current System and M.E.I.S

Once the analysis of the current system and the new M.E.I.S system is accomplished, it is important that a thorough proposal be made in order easily design the new system. The proposal should include the wants and needs of both the technology department and the end-users as a whole.

DESIGN
The third step in the Systems Development Cycles is the Systems Design. This step describes the desired features and operations. This would include what the actual screens would look like, rules, the coding and anything else that is needed to create the desired outcome.

The business module should included the following in the design: The Teacher/Student module, should have the following included in the design: M.E.I.S should offer seamless interaction between the Business and Teacher/Student modules. M.E.I.S should inform and change each interface when changes are made, which eliminates repetition. This process is SIF compliant and this is one of the best features that will be implemented into M.E.I.S.

Hardware and Software Requirements This program can run on either a MAC or a PC. However, the district has decided to us on PC's and replace any MAC's. The PC should contain the following MINIMUM specifications:
 * Operating System: Windows XP Professional SP2
 * Processor: AMD Athlon or Intel Celeron
 * Memory: 512 MB
 * Hard Drive: 40 GB
 * Microsoft Office or equivalent to export reports
 * Printer access (Local or Networked)
 * Network Access
 * Internet Access

Data Flow Diagram



IMPLEMENTATION
The Fourth step in the Systems Development Cycle is Implementation, where the real code is written and everything is put together for testing, production, training, and actually putting the Information system into action. Basically the implementation phase is when the M.E.I.S theory is put in to real life. To implement M.E.I.S, there will be no need for hardware upgrades, it runs on a Mac or PC, it is user friendly, no special connectivity is required, it is fast and reliable, and most of all, it is safe and secure.

The designed M.E.I.S program will be loaded onto the end-users computer and the training of the new system begins. The main topics for M.E.I.S training should include the following:


 * Execution of the M.E.I.S System
 * Data Entry
 * Data Processing
 * Reporting

Once the end-users are trained, the old system needs to shift to the new system that has been established. It is important use both systems simultaneously for a certain period of time in order to compare the results of what was used in the past with what is being implemented. This is called a Parallel run

A second approach after a parallel run is installing the new system in sections. One part of the system is installed first and executed by the end users for a certain period of time. When this section is running smoothly without any glitches, then another section is implemented, until all sections are running satisfactory with ease. This is called a Pilot run

MAINTENANCE
Maintenance is the final step of the Systems Development Cycle which is basically the rest of the Information Systems existence. There will be changes, corrections, additions, and upgrades due to changes in the Operating systems and/or Platforms.

Maintenance is necessary to eliminate and correct errors in the system. With technology there are always some errors found in any system that must be noted and corrected. This is why there are always upgrades to all types of system software. Maintenance also includes periodic reviews of the system to look for any changes needed or performance adjustments.

Since technology changes dramatically year to year, there comes a time when a major change will be needed in the current information system. If this is the case, then a new System Development Cycle will be required.

ASSESSMENT
Completion Complete each statement. 1. List the Phases of Systems Development Cycle in order. Matching a. 	Planning 	e. Maintenance b. 	Analysis 	f. Pilot Run c. 	Design 	g. Parallel Run d. 	Implementation ____ 2. Describes the desired features and operations. ____ 3. Where changes, corrections, additions, and upgrades due to changes in the Operating systems and/or Platforms. ____ 4. Establishes an overview of the intended project and determines goals for the project. ____ 5. Where the real code is written and everything is put together for testing, production, training, and actually putting the Information system into action. ____ 6. Installing the new system in sections. ____ 7. Puts the project goals created in the planning phase into defined functions ____ 8. Using both systems simultaneously for a certain period of time in order to compare the results of what was used in the past with what is being implemented.

References:

Pentamation by SunGuard www.pentamation.com Shelly, Cashman, Vermaat, "CoursePort". Discovering Computers 2007. January 25, 2009 http://oc.course.com/sc/dc2007/index.cfm?action=review&chapter=12