Educational Management Information Systems in Turkey And Problems in Implementation Process

Year 2007, Volume: 51 Issue: 51, 395 - 420, 01.02.2007

Yrd. Doç. Dr. Mustafa Bayrakçı

Abstract

Summary Continuous improvements in the field of information technologies have changed the operating mechanisms of governments. E-government applications in many countries created a new dimension in government-citizen relations. Within this context, implementation of management information systems is the most important e-government application in Turkish Ministry of National Education. In all types of organizations there is increasing development and use of management information systems to inform the decision making processes. This is also the case for educational organizations, with both schools and school systems using management information systems for monitoring, improvement and accountability purposes (Gurr, 1997). An educational management information system is a network of communication channels, information sources, computer storage and retrieval devices, and processing routines that provide educational managers with data at different levels, places, and times to facilitate decision-making (Evans, 1970). Generally, educational management information systems are designed to collect and analyze data on the educational system to improve planning, allocation of resources, monitoring, policy formation and decision-making. Main objectives of educational management information systems are to provide a timely and informed basis for planning and management of educational services, to establish a set of relevant indicators for data collection and utilization, and to establish or contribute to a national system for collection, processing and utilization of educational data (IIEP, 2006). On the other hand, with the rapid development and deployment of information systems, information technology and communication technology into every part of our lives, issues about human-computer interaction became persuasive and fundamental, and organizational and behavioral dimensions towards application of information systems gained importance (Zhang & Li, 2003; Nah, Zhang & McCoy, 2005). There is a similar trend in the field of education and for educational organizations as well. The adaptation and application of information and communication technologies are not easy for organizations which are used to be managed and operated with classical organizational management approaches for years. Various problems have been experienced particularly during the implementation of such computer-based information systems. These problems might be examined in a variety of different aspects like hardware, financing of hardware, computer literacy of the employees, appropriateness of the organizational structure to the new system and so forth. With the widespread use of information and communication technologies in the education field, Turkish Ministry of National Education has established various information systems and educational portals. These systems have been unified together under the name of “Ministry of National Education Information Systems (MEBBIS)” in 2006. Today, MEBBIS contains various web-based applications such as management information systems (ILSIS, E-School), decision support systems (KDS) and distance education portals. The purpose of this study is to identify the problems that are encountered during the implementation of the Ministry of National Education Management Information Systems, particularly the sub-system ILSIS, and to make suggestions in order to use it more effectively and develop it according to administrators' needs. Method The research was carried out by utilizing the general survey. The study group consisted of 262 school administrators working in the city of Kırıkkale. A questionnaire was developed for this study aimed to examine the problems in three main dimensions and six sub-dimensions were used to gather data for the research: 1. Computer Usage Competencies a) Computer Literacy b) Need for In-Service Training 2. System Software and Technological Devices a) Software b) Hardware 3. Organizational Structure a) Upper Management Leadership b) Participation of Staff Data were tabulated by using frequencies, percentage, mean and standard deviation to describe problems faced by administrators during the implementation of management information systems by the Ministry of National Education. Findings Findings indicate that majority of school administrators have basic computer skills and computer literacy for using the management information system. This evidence is further supported by data indicating administrators received adequate in service training to develop basic information technologies skills. About two thirds of administrator reported that they received adequate in service training. However, according to administrators, other staff in school did not receive adequate training to use the system. In average, 87% of administrators did not report any significant problems with management information system software. They consistently reported that the system is quite user friendly, but data is not updated on a regular basis. However, this problem is not a result of the software deficiencies, but rather ineffective use of the system by school administrators. Findings also indicate that school administrators are effectively using current hardware, but majority of them (69%) experiencing serious problems in financing the needed upgrade of out dated hardware. More than 50% of participants reported that high level management is not providing adequate support for keeping up to date with hardware requirements. School administrators report that high level management provides the needed leadership and support, except the financial support. Although administrators report that they are effectively using the software and hardware of the management information system, they also report that other staffs in school are not actively participating in the implementation process. This result is not surprising, since in service training activities related to management information systems are mainly designed for school administrators. School administrators believe that “participation of staff” in the design and implementation process would significantly increase the effectiveness of the management information system. The current system poses certain deficiencies in meeting needs of lower level staff. It can be concluded form these findings that there two main issues or problems with implementation of the management information system. The first on is related to lack of financial resources for upgrading the system hardware, as the information systems hardware becomes outdated, most often between three to five years. Therefore, design of a management information system must always include the planning for upgrading the hardware on a regular basis. The second problem is related to management approach adopted in design and implementation of the system. As lower management did not participate in the design and implementation process, the system fell short of meeting lower level management and staff's information needs. Thus, the participation of lower level management must be increased when designing ILSIS and contribution of lower-level management to the process of design must be provided by examining their information needs.

Keywords

management information systems , e-government practices

Türkiyede Eğitim Yönetimi Bilgi Sistemleri

Abstract

Türkiye'de son yıllarda Yönetim Bilgi Sistemlerinin Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı'nın tüm uygulamalarına yaygınlaştırılması için yoğun çalışmalar yapılmaktadır. Bu araştırmanın amacı, Millî Eğitim Bakanlığı Yönetim Bilgi Sistemlerinin uygulanmasında karşılaşılan sorunları belirlemek ve sistemlerin daha etkili bir şekilde kullanılması ve ihtiyaca uygun biçimde geliştirilmesi için öneriler sunmaktır. Araştırma genel tarama modeli kullanılarak yapılmış ve yöneticilerin konuyla ilgili görüşleri anket kullanılarak belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu, Kırıkkale il ve ilçe merkezlerinde görev yapan 210 okul müdürü, müdür başyardımcısı ve müdür yardımcısı oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmanın bulgularına göre, yöneticilerin bilgisayar kullanımı, hizmetiçi eğitim ve sistem yazılımları açısından sorun yaşamadıkları, ancak, donanımların yenilenmesi ve ilgili finansal desteğin üst yönetim tarafından sağlanması açısından sorunlar yaşadıkları belirlenmiştir.

Keywords

yönetim bilgi sistemleri , e-yönetim uygulamaları

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