Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Price Increase - What does this mean for your school MIS?</h1> <article> <h1>Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Price Increase - What does this mean for your school MIS?</h1> <p>Thu, 22 Apr 2010 08:47:40 +0000</p> <p>The current crop of Management Information Systems (<abbr title="Management Information System">MIS</abbr>) have been developed over a number of years, with each additional module adding new functionality, but also extra layers of complexity – new software to install, new hardware to buy, and time to be spent managing the system. All of which can reduce the efficiency of a school which, in turn, increase the total cost of ownership.</p><p> </p><p> With <a href="http://www.phoenixs.co.uk/phoenixblog/post/2010/01/04/Microsoft-Announces-New-pricing-for-SQL-Server-2008.aspx" rel="external nofollow">Microsoft announcing new increased pricing </a>(by upto 25%) for SQL Server 2008 then that’s pretty bad news if your school <abbr title="Management Information System">MIS</abbr> requires it. (and I know plenty of <abbr title="Management Information System">MIS</abbr> systems that do).</p><p> </p><p> Unlike most other Management Information Systems currently available to schools, <a href="http://www.pearsonphoenix.com/products/mis/e1.html" rel="external nofollow">e1</a> is an entirely new product, the result of starting with a completely clean slate. It is the essence of everything that Pearson Phoenix have learned about the management, teaching and learning needs of a school.</p><p> </p><p> In a radical, but entirely logical departure from traditional <abbr title="Management Information System">MIS</abbr>, <a href="http://www.pearsonphoenix.com/products/mis/e1.html" rel="external nofollow">e1</a> is completely browser-based </p><p> </p><p> –no hardware, no software </p><p> –all that is required is access to an internet browser. </p><p> </p><p> This means that the entire functionality of <a href="http://www.pearsonphoenix.com/products/mis/e1.html" rel="external nofollow">e1</a> can be accessed by any user, anywhere at any time.</p><p> </p><p> The dream is now a reality.</p> </article> <article> <h1>Parental Access and Engagement</h1> <p>Sun, 28 Mar 2010 13:01:48 +0000</p> <p>A report commissioned by Becta in 2009 found that 82% of parents are left 'in the dark' when it comes to their child's schooling.</p><p> </p><p> As a software specialist working in the education sector my organisation has addressed the subject of parental engagement by developing a management information systems (<abbr title="Management Information System">MIS</abbr>) which focuses on putting the learner at the heart of the system, facilitating personalised learning in a positive engaging way.</p><p> </p><p> One of the main benefits of online access is for parents to view information on their child’s work and progress. The school can contact parents through the inbuilt email facility or send text or voice alerts to parents’ mobile or landline phones.</p><p> </p><p> At home, parents can be better informed about their child's education and participate in the learning process through access to performance data, school activities and homework, whilst their child can login to remotely engage in lessons and complete and return assignments electronically.</p><p> </p><p> In summary, pupils and parents can…</p><p> </p><p> </p><ul><li>Support learning by access to personal learning plans and schemes of work.<br /> </li><li>View timetables.<br /> </li><li>Use attendance and performance records to boost motivation.<br /> </li><li>Receive and send homework, assessments and relevant comments.<br /> </li><li>Communicate with school regarding academic and non-academic issues.<br /> </li><li>Remotely access the system to aid learning anytime-anywhere.<br /> </li></ul><p></p><p> </p><p> I hope this has given some insight into some of the ways technology can help enable parents to get closer to and support their child’s learning.</p><p> </p><p> </p> </article> </main></body></html>