For the initial Joint Application Development $($JAD$)$ session aimed at developing an integrated student dashboard, it would be crucial to involve the following key stakeholders and groups:

Students:

Including representatives from the student body ensures that the system caters to their actual needs and preferences. Their input can provide valuable insights into the most effective ways to display course loads and assignments.

Faculty Members:

Involving faculty members who teach various courses allows the team to understand the diverse requirements of different academic programs. Faculty members can provide critical feedback on the types of information that should be displayed for each course and assignment.

IT Experts and Developers:

Having IT experts and developers in the initial JAD session ensures that the technical aspects and constraints are understood from the outset. They can provide insights into the feasibility of implementing certain features and functionalities and can guide discussions on the technical requirements of the integrated student dashboard.

Administrative Staff:

Involving administrative staff members, such as academic advisors or student services representatives, ensures that the dashboard aligns with administrative processes and requirements. They can offer valuable perspectives on how to streamline information for administrative purposes.

User Experience $($UX$)$ Designers:

UX designers can contribute to the session by providing insights into user interface design, ensuring that the dashboard is intuitive, user$-$friendly, and visually appealing. Their input is crucial in creating a student dashboard that is easy to navigate and visually engaging.

Explanation:

Including these groups in the initial JAD session ensures a comprehensive understanding of the requirements and expectations for the integrated student dashboard from various perspectives, leading to the development of a more effective and user$-$friendly system that addresses the needs of students, faculty, and administrative staff.

Answer

Joint Application Development $($JAD$)$ is a collaborative approach to software development that involves stakeholders, end users, and IT professionals in structured workshops. These sessions aim to gather requirements and define project objectives, ensuring the final product meets the needs of all parties involved. JAD emphasizes active participation and open communication, fostering a deeper understanding of user requirements and aligning business goals with technological capabilities.