Why student information systems matter

Educational technology (EdTech) is a fast-moving field that is revolutionising the way the higher education sector and its stakeholders, staff and students interact – for the benefit of all.  The implementation of an effective student information system is one of the most powerful ways to future-proof your institution.

With rapid change and rising expectations, choosing the right system—and the right provider—is critical. Success depends not just on the technology, but on how it’s implemented and supported over time.

1.See the bigger picture

The student information system (SIS) of today offers a streamlined and automated process for a comprehensive selection of tasks within educational institutions. Whereas in the past student data may have been limited to attendance and results, the latest student information systems can also collect, record, map and enable analysis of data from initial admission to finance and assessments and can also incorporate, for example, student demographic data to help with future admissions targeting.

An effective SIS will also enhance communication between students and staff, which can help to improve student engagement and, in the long term, drive more successful student outcomes. It is therefore essential to choose an SIS which encompasses all the possibilities of educational technology to deliver the desired results for the institution and the students.

As opportunities for expanding the implementation of technology will inevitably arise, it is also essential that you choose a system which is adaptable, expandable and flexible – enabling you to take advantage of new developments and advances in EdTech.

Embracing emerging technologies

The hot topic of the moment in the digital world is, of course, AI, and the higher education sector is not immune. AI can aid speed and efficiency in a wide range of tasks, from maintaining student records to arranging class schedules. It can even be used to develop personalised learning experiences to better suit individual students, and for grading work. With reports of time savings of up to 70% when AI is used for grading, staff can be freed up to focus on areas of education where the application of AI is less suitable or appropriate.

Cloud migration is another key development, offering benefits for students, staff, and institutions:

• Students: Easier collaboration and access to synced learning content
• Staff: Remote access to lesson plans and resources
• Institutions:
  • Reduced operational costs
  • Optimised data security
  • Infinite data storage
  • Faster system performance (around double)

2. Remember the user

A student information system (SIS) is not just about the technology. As the name suggests, it’s about the student too – and about the staff. The user experience is a crucial element of the success of the SIS, as each interaction can make the educational journey easier for the student, more efficient for the staff, and more successful for the institution.

At the very beginning of the student journey, an application and admissions process conducted via the SIS can help establish a competitive edge for the educational establishment concerned, as well as enhance the speed and efficiency of the process.

Further down the line, every interaction with the SIS – such as enrolment, module registration, assessment and grades – should be designed to support, guide and optimise the student experience, as well as enabling staff to be more efficient.

Implementing a SIS is also about the user, not just the technology. The diverse communities of academics, administrators and students which make up any educational institution need to buy into the idea, and once convinced of its benefits and advantages, will also need to be trained in its use. For some cohorts, this will be easier than for others. For students, interaction at most levels will be largely intuitive, but for some staff, translating administrative and some teaching tasks to the system may be more of a challenge. However, with proper training, the benefits of using the system to its full capacity will soon become evident.