SAP-Related Education - Status-Quo and Experience

Integrating Enterprise Systems solutions in the curriculum of not only universities but all types of institutes of higher learning has been a major challenge for nearly ten years. Enterprise Systems education is surprisingly well documented in a number of papers on Information Systems education. However, most publications in this area report on the individual experiences of an institution or an academic. This paper focuses on the most popular Enterprise System - SAP - and summarizes the outcomes of a global survey on the status quo of SAP-related education. Based on feedback of 305 lecturers and more than 700 students, it reports on the main factors of Enterprise Systems education including, critical success factors, alternative hosting models, and students’ perceptions. The results show among others an overall increasing interest in advanced SAP solutions and international collaboration, and a high satisfaction with the concept of using Application Hosting Centers

Contemporary developments in teaching and learning introductory programming: Towards a research proposal

The teaching and learning of introductory programming in tertiary institutions is problematic. Failure rates are high and the inability of students to complete small programming tasks at the completion of introductory units is not unusual. The literature on teaching programming contains many examples of changes in teaching strategies and curricula that have been implemented in an effort to reduce failure rates. This paper analyses contemporary research into the area, and summarises developments in the teaching of introductory programming. It also focuses on areas for future research which will potentially lead to improvements in both the teaching and learning of introductory programming. A graphical representation of the issues from the literature that are covered in the document is provided in the introduction

An Evaluation of Existing On-Line Learning & Teaching Resources for the Socio-Economic Aspects of Sustainable Design, New Perspectives in Design Education

This paper fits into the topic of eco-design education and explores questions related to the modern student’s perspective on design education and how we should consider the curricula from a future perspective. This paper first confirms the state of the art by reviewing the literature on the socio-centric dimension of sustainable design. This will determine the component sections required of a learning and teaching resource which focuses on the implications of human expectations and aspirations for the development of solutions to sustainable design problems

ERP, Learning Communities, and Curriculum Integration

Several colleges have joined the “SAP Education Alliance” for implementing SAP R/3 in the curriculum. Due to substantial investments in time and resources, this strategy has substantial risks. In addition, volatility and change has been the hallmark of technology, and Enterprise Resource Planning [ERP] may not be immune from such challenges. These factors notwithstanding, ERP has certain features that make it an excellent vehicle for the learning process. Specifically, ERP has the promise to address some challenges facing business education. ERP systems can provide a framework through which learning communities can be developed to inject change into the educational environment. ERP enables integration of curriculums through developing connecting points and providing a nervous system for integration, while removing redundancies between disciplines. In the process, they refine our understanding of the nature of knowledge in areas of business, while optimizing use of technology in the campus setting. This paper, therefore, argues that ERP can be viewed as more than just another technology; rather it has the potential to bring about more effective pedagogy

Enhancing Student Learning of Enterprise Integration and Business Process Orientation through an ERP Business Simulation Game

The sophistication of the integrated world of work and increased recognition of business processes as critical corporate assets require graduates to develop ‘process orientation’ and an ‘integrated view’ of business. Responding to these dynamic changes in business organizations, business schools are also continuing to modify their curriculum and introducing innovative teaching and learning strategies. An ERP business simulation game is one such initiative that helps in understanding business processes and enterprise integration and develops process orientation among business graduates. This paper reports on a study investigating the influence of ERP simulation game on learning effectiveness, skills development and decision making. Its impact as a teaching and learning tool on the students’ ability to develop an integrated view of business is assessed and their generic attitudes towards the learning of SAP analysed. The results reveal the significant impact this game had on students’ abilities and points out the challenges in the process and pedagogy. The study found that the game contributed to deep learning in addition to resulting in significant improvement in their process orientation and integrative skills. The study, based on feedback from participants and the experience of academics, recommends further improvements to the deployment and curriculum design of the game

Using ERP Systems in Education

Enterprise Resource Planning systems are the new solution to business systems. These systems provide comprehensive business functionality in an integrated fashion using a state-of-the-art IT architecture. This trend towards enterprise systems in large and mid-sized organizations has a significant impact on IS careers paths. Enterprise systems essentially change fundamental business work processes thus implying that the system that supports these processes, and the design and development of these systems, also changed. Yet, most IS curricula do not provide significant coverage of ERP concepts, nor do they graduate students who are knowledgeable about these systems and the impact that these systems have on industry. This paper identifies opportunities for incorporating the ERP body of knowledge into an IS program. The general spirit of the paper is that of experiential learning. That is, this paper focuses on curriculum that is enriched through the hands-on experience gained by students working on a real ERP system. The paper also discusses related topics such as costs and critical success factors

Second Wave ERP Education

In the 1990s there was considerable growth in implementations of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems. Companies expected these systems to support many of the day to day business transactions. The growth in ERP implementations had a resultant impact on the demand for ERP skills. Many universities recognised this demand and the potential of using ERP Systems software as a teaching tool, and endeavoured to incorporate ERP systems into their curriculum; however most universities have struggled in this task. ERP systems have now evolved to incorporate more strategic components and universities and ERP vendors are investigating ways in which curriculum can be developed to support these new solutions. This paper discusses the evolution of ERP systems and university curriculum. It identifies how one university is addressing this problem and how this approach can be adopted and expanded by other universities

Integrating ERP\u27s Second Wave into Higher Education Curriculum

In the 1990s there was considerable growth in implementations of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems. Companies expected these systems to support many of the day to day business transactions. The growth in ERP implementations had a resultant impact on the demand for ERP skills. Many universities recognised this demand and the potential of using ERP Systems software as a teaching tool, and endeavoured to incorporate ERP systems into their curriculum; however most universities have struggled in this task. The application of ERP in education is well documented in many papers on Information Systems education. ERP systems have now evolved to incorporate more strategic components and universities and ERP vendors are investigating ways in which curriculum can be developed to support these new solutions. This paper discusses the evolution of ERP systems and how universities are attempting to develop their curriculum to complement these changes. It identifies how one university is addressing this dilemma and how this approach could be adopted and expanded further. --Conference held Bangkok, Thailand, 7-10 July, 200

Business Process Management – A Missing Link in Business Education

Business processes have been the subject of formal study from multiple perspectives for a long time since the start of industrial age. In spite of such sustained focus, processes still are not well understood, left unmanaged and poorly executed. Business schools’ teaching is primarily function specific and narrow, while the IT schools focused on narrow technical skills and leaves the ‘process view’ and ‘integration’ either to the individual student or the academic. This paper analyzes the inadequacies of current business and IS/IT education and reviews the historical perspective of business processes. It posits the significance of business process management and highlights its ability to provide the missing link to business education. It reports on the strategies employed by business schools and discusses the challenges in the BPM education and research