MANAGING ICT MANAGING ICT
Matt Buxton
from Djanogly City
Academy discusses
the issues relating to
the implementation
and security of online
reporting, and looks at the
problems to be avoided
N INNOVATIVE scheme, online
A
reporting has been viewed by
many educationalists as a positive
move, while some view it with
apprehension. Either way, it is
an issue that has certainly caused
widespread debate since the
initiative was announced by the then schools minister,
Jim Knight, in 2008.
Online reporting benefits
The government has set targets for online reporting to
become a requirement in secondary schools by 2010,
and from this date they are expected to provide parents
with access to information about their child from
anywhere, at anytime using secure online access.
Online reporting provides parental access to a
plethora of educational information, including a child’s
attendance and behaviour, progress and attainment,
and any SEN. The aim is to involve parents in their
Playing
child’s education and to make sure they have up-to-date
information at all times.
While the prospect of implementing a new reporting
system may seem daunting for many schools, most
management information systems (MIS) should be able
to offer this service easily to schools. Via our MIS, we
are provided with this service which enables data to be
collated, making it possible for us to provide the online
reporting service. it safe
Online reporting supports schools to actively engage
parents in their child’s learning, and provides a simple
and time-efficient way to communicate with parents.
However, with this increased level of communication
also arise various issues relating to safety.
Access to this anytime, anywhere data is a real parents as well as learners. However, as with the
benefit on the whole, but with it comes a requirement implementation of any new technology, it requires
for good management. It is important that for online strategic planning to achieve positive results and this
reporting to be successful in any school, parents are can only be achieved with adequate preparation.
aware of how to use it. Also, if any log-in details A concern here relates to the provision of log-on
or confidential information regarding students is details to parents, which give access to our ePortal
distributed to parents, it needs to be done sensitively system solely for their child’s details. IS YOUR SCHOOL WEBSITE
As such, we do not send details to the parents, but
they are able to access the system to view their child’s
‘
An unfortunate
data and information. Instead of sending out the log-on
WORKING FOR YOU?
details en masse, we either wait for them to contact us
to request access, or we actively encourage them to
example of this is when
“sign-up” for access during parental meetings, phone
contact, and our regular Academic Review Days.
another school’s MIS
The danger of mass marketing
Bright Schools provide a wealth of interactive
automatically generated
At Djanogly, we do not mass market our parents. Mailing
out sensitive data, such as log-in details, attendance
website tools to improve communication and
records, academic results, or behavioural information
a letter which was
carries huge implications regarding safety issues.
create a vibrant online school community
Our MIS enables the school to produce letters in
posted to the parents
a prompt and straightforward way for distribution to
parents. However, although this instantaneous ability
of a deceased child
to generate information saves time, there is a need
for effective management. We need to consider how
information is sent and to whom.
informing them of her
An unfortunate example of this is when another
school’s MIS automatically generated a letter which was
absenteeism
posted to the parents of a deceased child informing them
and with careful planning. There is a need
’
of her absenteeism. This is a key example of how an
MIS could go wrong if data is not managed effectively.
At our school, it is our responsibility to consider
for teachers, issues surrounding custody for example. In some
too, to be educated and to ensure their awareness of instances, a parent may have lost custody of their
online reporting is thorough. child and therefore should not have access to their
educational information, so this is a significant area of
Safe access for parents
sensitivity for us.
As online reporting is such a new initiative, there is We also need to be wary in terms of some parents
a need to make certain that those involved in using it having not provided up-to-date addresses – another
CONTaCT BRIGHT SCHOOLS FOR FLExIBLE WEBSITE
understand how to do so. As a school, we have a duty to justification as to why we do not wish to distribute log-on
inform parents, making sure they fully comprehend how details freely, unless of course we have confirmed correct
SOLUTIONS TO SUIT YOUR ONLINE REqUIREmENTS
online reporting works and that they have the skills and contact details.
resources necessary. Parents have a right to receive their At Djanogly, online reporting has produced incredibly
child’s education information, but we have to be cautious positive results when you consider the amount of time,
regarding how we provide them with such data. money and resources that have been saved.
Undoubtedly, it is in the best interests of all stakeholders My advice to other schools to make sure that parents
that online reporting is strongly promoted to parents. We are communicated with safely and effectively would
want as many parents as possible to become actively be to ensure they are rigorous in the promotion of the
involved and engaged in online reporting and log-on to benefits of parental access and use every opportunity
the e-Portal to access their child’s data. Concurrently, we where it is safe and beneficial to do so. Ensure that the
t 0800 680 0327
must plan thoroughly as to how we communicate with data and information which is accessible is appropriate,
e info@brightschools.co.uk
our parents in order to prevent potentially devastating informative, and regularly updated. SecEd
repercussions – such as confidential data being delivered
w brightschools.co.uk
to an incorrect postal address. • Matt Buxton is director of learning technologies at
Online reporting is designed to enrich a child’s Djanogly City Academy in Nottingham, which uses
learning experience, making it more involved for Serco Learning’s MIS, Facility.
SecEd • September 10 2009 11
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