Week Two Assignment Part 2.3 5370

Week 2 Assignment, Part 2.3: Reflections on Course-Embedded Assignments for EDLD 5362 Information Systems Management

Self–Assessment

In the course EDLD 5362 Information Systems Management, I gained a greater understanding of the enormous information kept on students. I also gained knowledge of how important it is to protect that information. Just today, the San Antonio Express News had the front-page headline “SAISD website exposes students’ personal info” (Kastner, 2011, p. 1A). The website listed student social security numbers, phone numbers, birth dates, addresses and reasons why the district considers them potential dropouts. How embarrassing for that district and as well, student information managers who read that article, I am sure, went over their own website to check on it.

Previously, I did not realize the amount of information kept on students. I did know that most districts so not hold onto paper discipline records from one year to the next. Now that everything is kept in a software program, behavior patterns among students will emerge.

Learn as a Learner

The approach I took to complete this assignment was to interview two central office administrators – the technology director and the assistant superintendent for finance. Each had different perspectives on the costs analysis of the future purchase of a new student information system called ITCCS – Internet-based Texas Computer Cooperative Software. Just seeing how they looked at the topic differently was interesting. The technology director was excited about the back up possibilities and the close proximity to Region XX, which would allow for easy access to troubleshooting and professional development opportunities. The assistant superintendent for finance could quote me the cost - $150,000 per year. I had the opportunity to interview the technology director who answered many questions about the upcoming switch to this new information system. Since the new school year has started, I use this system now to keep track of my four sons in public school. I can get text alerts for attendance, tardies, failing grades and missing assignments. The forty-five minute interview with the technology director enhanced my performance on this assignment. He was able to answer all my questions needed for my courseware and helped me to understand how it all worked and how I would benefit as a parent.

The iTCCS program is new to our district this fall. Professional support for implementation will need to be strong for the first year. “The support needs for a new SIS are intense. Implementation normally requires more than a full year of focused effort on the part of the district. After the initial installation and conversion process, there are periodic events in the school year – grading periods, semester schedule changes, and end-of-year processes – that can present challenges for the SIS” (McIntire, 2004, para. 14). Teachers need these skills taught in “just in time learning” to meet these challenges during the year.

I posted my newfound information on my blog and took the time to explain it better to other parents and teacher friends. The only negative I have heard about this program after its implementation is from teachers. The old program would highlight a failing grade when they inputted it in the program. This one does not, so they find that they do not see their mistakes as easily.

Lifelong Learning Skills

In thinking about this coursework for EDLD 5362, I believe the understanding I received concerning the importance of the software features set will enhance my future learning. It seems even the smallest characteristic can make a program not user-friendly and annoying. My Skype group was also very helpful with this assignment as we talked about all the different programs our districts employ. I also will remember that it is essential to choose software that is specific to your state, so that your reports are readily available. This new program changes as Texas’s reporting requirements change. What a relief for those who turn in those reports. Richard Hoffman wrote in his article How to Buy a Student Information System how Information Officer Wesley Watts desired a district program that had easy “reporting, school-to-parent communication, scheduling, attendance, and enrollment” changes (Hoffman, 2006, para. 3). “The district’s overarching goal: accessing real-time, accurate data across the board” (Hoffman, 2006, para. 3).

In the future, I hope to look into the possibility of combining two school software programs. It seems redundant to me that each district must have a SIS program for reporting to the state and keeping up grades and attendance. Yet, districts must purchase another software program, like School Objects: Aware, to keep track of data associated with standardized testing. It seems to me this is a worthy goal of the future.

Works Cited

Hoffman, R. (2006, July 17). How to buy a student information system. Retrieved April 24, 2011, from School CIO: http://www.schoolcio.com/ShowArticle.aspx

Kastner, L. (2011, October 15). SAISD website exposes students' personal info. San Antonio Express News, p. 1A.

McIntire, T. (2004, May 15). Student information systems demystified. Retrieved April 24, 2011, from Tech & Learning: http://www.techlearning.com/article/13878