Information System For Business

A Study on ISB in School teaching methodology

Shankruth thiyagarajan SV

MBA II Year
 A Study on Information Modeling System and its review on
school teaching technology

The concept of SIM has existed since the mid 1990s. It was first proposed in 1994 by an
Australian instrument, electrical and control system engineering company – I&E Systems Pty
Ltd. Like many technological innovations the idea for SIM was born out of necessity. Since
the mid-nineties, the complexity of power, control and Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) systems has been growing exponentially due to rapid advances in
technology; this has rendered the traditional paper-based methodologies and applications
used for system design to become obsolete.

The cost of design related activities can be up to 70% of the total project expenditure in an
electrical instrumentation and control system (EICS) engineering project. Analyses revealed
that the limited nature of paper-based methods/workflows had significant contributions to the
high design cost which required duplication of information on multiple documents resulting
in design errors and omissions and therefore increasing the cost of labour. With this in mind,
the company realized there is a need to shift away from the traditional paper-based methods
to a more efficient systematic digital modelling approach.

The term 'System Information Modelling' was first published in a technical report in 2012 by
Peter E.D. Love and Jingyang Zhou.[1] The report presented empirical evidence to
demonstrate that the use of a SIM could potentially improve productivity and reduce the cost
to produce EICS documentation. The research examined a set of electrical engineering
drawings of an Iron Ore Stacker Conveyor system; errors and omissions identified from the
drawings have been classified and quantified. The report concluded that the use of
traditional Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) methods to produce electrical engineering design
is ineffective, inefficient and costly.
I. INTRODUCTION

Large industrial information systems are composed of dozens of inter-operating software

applications. The applications may be custom-developed or COTS components acquired from
the market and, if needed, adapted. Each application delivers functions implementing a
specific set of business activities, but the business processes flow through more applications.
The set of applications evolves and grows in time and usually different development groups
or vendors drive the evolution process, each working on parts of the whole system.
We suggest that the application of concepts of Systems of systems (SoS) may be useful to the
management of such type of systems.
Systems of systems are described as a collection of relatively independent but interconnected
systems [1] where a strong central control of evolution may not exist and the global behaviors
(both desirable and undesirable) emerge from the interaction between the composing systems.

II. INFORMATION SYSTEMS AS SOS

Information systems share the characteristics of SoSs ?

Nielsen [3] claims that a SoS is characterized by the following dimensions:
− Autonomy of constituents: a constituent system’s behavior is governed by its own rules
while also participating in the SoS.
− Independence: the capacity of constituent systems to operate when detached from the rest
of the SoS.
− Distribution: constituent systems are dispersed so that some form of connectivity enables
communication or information sharing.
− Evolution: SoSs are long lasting and subject to change, whether in the functionality, the
quality of that functionality, or in the structure and composition of constituent systems.
− Dynamic Reconfiguration: the capacity of an SoS to undertake changes to its structure and
composition, typically without planned intervention.
− Emergence of Behavior: emergence refers to the behaviors that arise as a result of the
interaction of constituents.
− Inter-dependence: refers to the mutual dependency that arises from the constituent systems
having to rely on each other in order to fulfill the common goal of the SoS.
− Inter-operability: refers to the ability of the SoS to incorporate a range of heterogeneous
constituent systems.
A large information system is composed of many software applications (custom, COTS,
adapted). We may interpret each application as a “component” of a system architecture
(according to the paradigm of components and connectors description of a software
architecture) at a larger scale than the architecture of a single application. Various servers
host the applications and the information system may cooperate with others information
systems (for instance suppliers and clients). All these servers are typically geographically
distributed (Distribution).
From the functional point of view, applications are relatively independent functional entities
(Autonomy of constituents and Independence) but inter-operate with other relatively
independent applications (Inter-dependence and Inter-operability). Business processes may
be orthogonal to many software applications. Each software application may implement a set
of functions and share part of them with various business processes.
Information systems are subject to an evolutionary process (Evolution). Evolution projects
(for example the evolution required by a change in a business process or a new process) may
involve many applications. In this case, the specification and design documents of the project
define a set of local changes generating a global desired behavior (Emergence of desired
behaviors). Consequently, designing and implementing changes require the understanding of
many existing applications and their relations.
 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM

Components of MIS Model:

1. Organisational Problem Solvers: Outputs are used by the person who are
responsible for solving the firms problem(say Problems).

2. Database: Its contents are used by software that produces report as well as
mathematical model.

3. Mathematical Model : It produces information as well as simulation of firms

operation.

4. Report Writing Software : It produces both periodic and special report.

5. Environment : The environment is of great importance of the firm. It is the very

reason for the firm’s existences.

LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM:

A learning management system is a software application or web-based technology used to

plan, implement and assess a specific learning process. It's used for e-learning practices and,
in its most common form, consists of two elements: a server that performs the base
functionality and a user interface (UI) that is operated by instructors, students and
administrators.
Typically, an LMS provides an instructor with a way to create and deliver content, monitor
student participation, and assess student performance. It might also provide students with
interactive features, such as threaded discussions, video conferencing and discussion forums.
Businesses, government agencies, and traditional and online educational institutions often use
these systems. They can improve traditional educational methods, while also saving
organizations time and money. An effective system lets instructors and administrators
efficiently manage elements such as user registration and access, content, calendars,
communication, quizzes, certifications and notifications.

What are the benefits of LMS:

An LMS can save an organization time and money. Instead of making learners take time out
of their day to travel and sit through classes or training at another location, LMSes let them
complete the coursework at a time and in a place that's best for them. In addition, LMSes
eliminate the need for instructors, training days, training materials, travel expenses and
location hiring.

Some other benefits of learning management systems include the following:

 The ability to monitor users' learning progress and performance.

 Increased e-learning accessibility without geographic limitations.

 Personalized online courses, training and learning experiences.

 The ability to easily and efficiently update e-learning modules and activities.

 Consistent and easy distribution of online training and learning content across an
organization.

 Elimination of repetitive tasks, such as user enrollment and certification.

 Centralized learning that lets an organization organize and store all data in one place,
making it easier for instructors and admins to update and maintain learning materials.

 Advanced encryption features to keep data and content secure.

Types of LMS deployments

The different LMS deployment options include the following:

 Cloud-based LMSes are hosted on the cloud and often follow a software as a service
(SaaS) business model. Providers maintain the system and handle updates or upgrades.
Online users can access the system apps from anywhere at any time using a username and
password.

 Self-hosted LMSes require the organization to download and install the LMS software.
The self-hosted platform provides creative control and customization, but the
organization is responsible for maintaining the system and might also have to pay for
updates.

 Third-party hosted LMSes are also learning resources hosted by a third-party

organization. Courses can be obtained directly from a public cloud location, or from the
training company's own data center or private cloud.

 Desktop application LMSes are installed on the user's desktop. However, the application
might still be accessible on multiple devices.

 Mobile application LMSes support a mobile learning environment and are accessible
wherever and whenever through mobile devices. This platform deployment type lets users
engage with and track their online learning initiatives on the go.
Learning experience platforms vs. LMSes

Learning experience platforms (LXPs) are the next generation of learning management
technologies. This SaaS-based technology uses AI to adapt the learning experience to the
student's needs and raise the bar on a student's overall experience. This differs from LMSes,
which generally require students to follow a program as the provider designed it.

Why do we need LMS?

Various disruptive factors are changing the academe in the last few years. Students are as
competitive as ever. Furthermore, the rising costs and issues involving student debt are
causing everyone to consider their educational options. The student demographics are also
changing significantly as more institutions target more diverse populations.

In a recent study, almost 50% of respondents prefer online courses due to existing
commitments such as jobs, family, and others. Furthermore, specific subjects that usually do
not receive significant funding in a typical educational setting can now be offered online.
List of Popular Learning Management Systems:

1. Moodle
2. Blackboard
3. Schoology
4. Google Classroom
5. Canvas by Structure
6. D2L Brightspace
7. Absorb LMS
8. LearnDash
9. Cert Central
10. Edmodo LMS

1. Moodle:

Among this list of learning management system examples, Moodle is probably the most
popular. This free and open-source learning platform that has been around for quite some
time. While it does not look as modern or as sleek as paid competitors, its robust
functionalities make it a great option for any academic institution. The LMS is fully
customizable and extensible to perfectly fit your needs. The thousands of community-
developed plugins will also allow you to add new functionalities. Furthermore, it seamlessly
integrates with solutions like NextCloud, Google Apps, Microsoft Office 365, and more.
In the past, many administrators are intimidated by Moodle due to the required technical
skills during set-up. Coupled with the need for your own server, it can be overwhelming to
configure. However, with the release of MoodleCloud, it is now easy to get started without
the set-up and the server. Much like paid options, all you have to do is sign-up, and you can
start creating and publishing classes. The Free Forever plan allows 50 students with 200 MB
upload limitations. The paid plans start at $80/year for Starter.
Moodle also offers solutions specific to various educational needs like Moodle App, Moodle
Education, MoodleNet, Moodle Workplace, and Certified Integrations and Partnerships.

2. Blackboard

Blackboard is one of the most popular learning management system for students in the digital
learning market and LMS examples. The platform comes in both software-as-a-service
(SaaS) and non-SaaS models. The service provider offers all core learning management
features as well as powerful data analytics, communication channels, collaboration tools, and
web conferencing. Class facilitators can easily deliver homework, tests, and track grades.
They can also manage online and blended classes.

Their core product, Blackboard Learn, features a responsive user interface for improved
accessibility. Along with the core LMS features, it also comes with Blackboard Analytics that
will allow you to see valuable insights such as student performance, engagement, and more.
The company also released Blackboard Open LMS powered by Moodle. This is a more
extensible version of BlackBoard services where you can customize various aspects of your
courses.
3. Schoology

Schoology is another fully-featured learning platform that aims to provide all the tools that
you need to design lessons, communicate with students, and collaborate with educators. Its
strength lies in its focus on building and connecting your learning community from students
to administrators. What’s more, it not only includes class-level channels but also allows you
to connect your entire school. This way, you can create online spaces where students can
engage with their teachers outside class hours.

Furthermore, Schoology makes it easy to communicate and share resources with educators
from other schools and across districts. It also comes with a professional learning community
(PLC) where your faculty members can share ideas and assets with others around the globe.
Moreover, the platform readily integrates with third-party software from Google Drive to
Dropbox. That means you can incorporate your existing class tools within the Schoology
system.

Schoology is available in Basic and Enterprise packages. The former gives you access to the
free version of the learning management system. Meanwhile, the latter includes all advanced
features along with communication channels, classroom integrations, resources from other
educators, and more.
4. Google Classroom:

As one of the leading names in information technology, Google will not miss the chance to
offer education-centric tools. As part of the Google for Education initiative, they
launched Google Classroom. If you are already using G Suite or planning to take advantage
of Google solutions, this LMS integrates with the rest of the company’s products without the
need for complicated configuration or set-up.
The platform helps teachers create classes, send assignments, communicate with students,
grade coursework, and post feedback all in one place. It also streamlines repetitive tasks so
educators can focus on teaching. With its Material Design, everyone can sign-in on any
device using any modern browser. Google Classroom is also available on Android and iOS
for students on-the-go. While it is not as comprehensive as other LMS, its integration with
the rest of Google products makes it a powerful platform.
The good news is Google Classroom is free, one of the few ones among LMS platforms.
Your school or district only needs to sign-up for a G Suite for Education account for you to
access Classroom.
5. Canvas By Structure :

Canvas by Structure is a popular learning ecosystem and online learning management

system among colleges and universities. Some of its clients are The University of Utah and
the University of Central Florida. It dubs itself as the world’s fastest-growing learning
management platform. The LMS is part of its digital learning solutions that include powerful
course assemblers, dashboards, test engines, and more.
The platform’s modules allow educators to organize course work and content into units. The
Outcomes feature combines state-wide assessment and grading rubrics that allow
administrators to align with existing standards. It even includes a comprehensive assessment
management function specifically for K-12 school districts. The LMS also includes
Gradebook and SpeedGrader, two of the most flexible and efficient grading tools in the
market.
6. Absorb LMS:

Absorb LMS was developed for large enterprises, small and medium businesses, and public
institutions. It is also perfect for schools and universities looking for a holistic learning
management system. Its core features are designed around a fast-paced learning environment
while maintaining engagement and better outcomes. Aside from creating your own courses,
Absorb LMS includes extensive eLearning Content Libraries. These pre-made online courses
allow you to publish classes right away. It also comes with powerful features such as smart
administration, learner engagement and experience modules, integrations, and mobile
applications.
7. Lean Dash :

If you already have a WordPress powered website and want to offer courses, then there’s no
need to subscribe to a separate platform. LearnDash is a robust plugin that allows you to
create, manage, modify, and publish classes right in the popular content management system
(CMS). Its powerful course builder is easy to use with its drag-and-drop layout. You can
create multi-layer courses and even reuse content from one class to another. The plugin also
includes a Focus Mode that lets your students focus on the coursework. It also comes with
functionalities such as drip-feed content, GradeBook integration, certificates, badges, and
much more.
8. Cert Central:

Cert Central is perfect for institutions that offer certificate training programs and continuing
education. Its seamless interface allows efficient course development and certifications. The
drag-and-drop layout allows you to quickly create content and customize it for various
courses. Aside from the core LMS features, it includes advanced functionalities such as
enhanced testing, custom certificates, compliance and security, and reporting and analytics. It
also integrates with Stripe so potential students can subscribe to courses right away.
Conclusion:
The perfect LMS will depend on the type of academic institution, classes, student
demographics, and faculty members. It will also depend on the value of what is LMS in
education to your organization. Open-source solutions like Moodle provide the most
flexibility, but you will need a competent developer to get it running. Google Classroom and
Edmodo LMS are perfect for K-12 programs with their ease-of-use and accessibility. On the
other hand, Absorb LMS and CertCentral fit institutions that offer training and certifications
for continuous learning. That said, we recommend taking a close look at each platform before
choosing which one to invest in.

As distance learning or elearning become widespread, school maintenance software is no

longer than only tool schools need. LMS become vital as well. But as you evaluate LMS
tools, ensure that all core features are built-in from course builders to communication
channels. Remember that an LMS is meant to enhance the students’ learning experience and
improve the educators’ workflow.