CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Nowadays, the computer system is being integrated into several aspect of the society and it is often visible noticed that schools are dropping the manual method of information management which entails the use of pen, paper and calculator or excel spreadsheet which is time consuming and tasking. Schools of learning in the western world in a bid to make storage of information easier are now adopting the use of special softwares application built for the purpose of result computation and information management.
The essence of adopting the use of computerized system over other method is that its percentage of errors are zero to none or minimal and also due to the fact that records can be stored in a central location simultaneously while providing access to the records when needed and also eliminating the difficulty in retrieving lost data as often experienced with other methods.
The history of modern management information systems parallels the evolution of computer hardware and software. The history also parallels the devolution of management control from centralization to decentralization. Today, all computer-based systems that collect, process, store and communicate that data as information are commonly defined as management information systems, or MIS.(George 2017)
Many MIS pundits divide the history of MIS into the five eras,
- First era: Mainframe and minicomputer computing
- Second era: Personal computers
- Third era: Client/server networks
- Fourth era: Enterprise computing
- Fifth era: Cloud computing
The first era, pre-1965, was the period of huge mainframe computers that were housed in special temperature-controlled rooms and required computer technicians to operate. IBM was the one-stop supplier of hardware and software. Computer time-sharing was common due to the enormous cost of owning and operating mainframes. As computer technology advanced and computers shrank in size, companies could afford minicomputers, still enormously expensive by today’s standard but sufficiently affordable for large companies to own and do their own in-house computing.
The second era of personal computers started in 1965 with the introduction of the microprocessor. By the1980s, it was in full bloom with the proliferation of the low-cost Apple I and II and the IBM personal computer, or PC. The introduction of VisiCalc spreadsheet software empowered ordinary employees with the ability to do tasks that companies paid huge sums to do 10 years earlier.
This need advanced the transition to the third era MIS client/server networks. Employees at all levels of the organization could share information in a variety of formats through computer terminals linked to computer servers over common networks called intranets.
The fourth era, enterprise computing, consolidated disparate single-application software applications used by different departments onto one integrated enterprise platform that was accessed over high-speed networks. Enterprise software solutions integrate essential business operations — marketing and sales, accounting, finance, human resources, inventory and manufacturing — to harmonize work and facilitate cooperation across the entire enterprise.
The exponential growth in Internet bandwidth consumption is ushering in the fifth era of MIS, cloud computing. Cloud computing unchains everybody from ounce-bound PCs, allowing access to enterprise MIS from anywhere with mobile devices.
The fifth era is also the time of the knowledge worker’s ascendancy. As decision-making pushes to the lowest levels of organizations, MIS is expected to increasingly, empower workers not only as producers of information but also as consumers of the same information. In effect, knowledge workers, as producers and consumers of MIS information, will determine precisely what information MIS generates.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
This project research was conducted exclusively conducted in a Tolyfun Schools located in a populated area that attends to too many students at a time, hence this research was able to track problem such as misplacement of student records, student’s grades, slow and strenuous accessibility to students report and record, inaccurate record keeping and poor information management within the schools.
1.3 AIM OF STUDY
The aim of this study is to design a student information system that will overcome or minimize the problem of paper works for Tolyfun schools.
1.4 OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
The objectives of this project is to create a system that will perform the following.
- Record and reports of students will be easily retrieved with increased data security.
- There will be reduction for resources, which in turn will lower the cost of processing of student’s result, since information will be stored in a database with reduced data redundancy.
- School personnel can attend to many student without being over worked.
- There will be reduction in time used in retrieval of student’s files.
- Reduction in bulkiness of files and record.
- It will make available the storage room that was used for storage of files.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Haven identify the problem in the mode of operation of the existing system, this project research is designed specifically to come up with a more resound and effective system that will not only counteract this problem but also provides a detailed future plan that will give room for more information technological improvement in generating report cards for students.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The proposed system is intended to manage specific information of students such as personal details of students, class details, an attendance system, students score in exam and report card generating system etc. It is not Student Information System, which has a broader application. It is only a part of Student Information System.
The proposed system will have the following features:
- Login module: Login module will help in authentication of user accounts to ensure data security.
- Search module: This model allows one to search for a Particular student using search criteria such as name of student or admission number;
- Registration Module and Account Management: This module will help the teachers (admin) register students into their class and it does not require presence of internet. This module will really simplify the task of the manual registration.
- Report Card Generating Module: This module will generate report card for students. The report card will contain information such as student details, scores in each subject, number of days absent or present, total score obtained, percentage score, teacher’s comment and other relevant information.
1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This research work is limited to SSS1 students; although the system can be used by other classes.
1.8 JUSTIFICATION OF THE NEW SYSTEM
It is expected that with the introduction of the student information system, a lot of positive changes will be noticed. Good information system will reduce the amount of resources, which in turn will lower the cost of processing of student’s result, since information will be stored in a database with reduced data redundancy.
The numerous problem associated with the manual system will be minimized, if not totally put to an end.
1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS
ADMISSION NUMBER: A unique character assigned to every student when registered into the school.
REPORT CARD: A hardcopy of records of student courses and overall performance in academic and non-academic activities.
AUTOMATION: This is the use of control system such as computer to control and process data, reducing the need for human intervention
DATABASE: This refers to a large store of related data on a computer that can be access and modified by the user.
PASSWORD: This is a secret code that a user must type into a computer to enable him access it or its applications. This is made up of numbers, letter, special character or a combination of any of the above categories.
RECORD SYSTEM: The act of using a computer system to store and update information/data sequentially in order to keep file security.
COMPUTERIZED: To convert a based system to start using a computer system to control, organize and automate something.
DATA ENTRY: This is the standard input device through which the system gets more of the instructions and commands
