Applying E-learning Technologies to Teach Computer Programming: A Case Study

Recent developments in the quality of e-learning tools now made it a possible to integrate such technology into teaching programs to provide added value to the learning experience. This paper describes the experiences of Victoria University in adopting e-learning technologies to complement the teaching of SAP’s ABAP programming language to students in Singapore. Computer programming still remains an important part of most Information Systems courses. The involvement of SAP relates to Victoria University integrating Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems into their curricula and research programs through a strategic alliance with SAP. The SAP technical infrastructure facilitates the development of courses using Internet and e-learning technology. To assist with the delivery of offshore ERP education an ERP e-Learning model has been developed that integrates synchronous and asynchronous content. Asynchronous e-learning does not involve the presence of a teacher. Typically the learning content is located on a web server that students can access using the Internet. Synchronous e-learning requires the learner and teacher to be present in the event at the same time. It is a real-time, instructor-led online learning event in which all participants are available at the same time and can communicate directly with each other. Recently a pilot was conducted using a synchronous e-learning tool to deliver several programming classes to students in Singapore. A successful evaluation of the pilot was conducted and it is planned to integrate web technology and synchronous e-learning sessions in a more permanent way to offshore courses

Extending an E-Learning Model into Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Curriculum

The expansion of global education has created a new market for the e-education industry. Many universities have introduced distance learning programs and are trialling elearning tools to support this expansion. Certain curriculum is more suited to the application of e-learning. The curriculum associated with the teaching of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems is one such area. ERP systems offer a software-based system that handles an enterprise’s total information system needs in an integrated fashion. Many universities have joined alliances with ERP vendors to allow the integration of ERP systems into their programs. This paper outlines the experiences of Victoria University in offering ERP education through a strategic alliance with the ERP vendor, SAP. The University is extending its offshore programs by offering ERP education in the Asian region and has developed an Elearning model to assist this expansion. The ERP elearning model blends synchronous and asynchronous content. Asynchronous e-learning does not involve the presence of a teacher. Typically the learning content is located on a web server that students can access using the Internet. Synchronous e-learning requires the learner and teacher to be present in the event at the same time. It is a real-time, instructor-led online learning event in which all participants are available at the same time and can communicate directly with each other. The model uses four technologies to facilitate teaching: application service provision (ASP), web-CT, computer-based training and virtual classroom technology. The ERP e-learning model provides an innovative and efficient means to deliver ERP curriculum. It is able to provide greater flexibility in offshore subject delivery and to maximise student learning outcomes. This is particularly relevant in light of recent international medical (SARS) and terrorists incident

The E-Learning Revolution: Opportunities for Higher Education in the 21st Century

The expansion of education beyond national boundaries has created a new market for the education industry. Many universities have formed partnerships with organisations in other countries in order to expand their programs. Several implementation models have been identified including distance education via E-Learning, study abroad programs, the establishment of a university campus in a foreign country and the travel of faculty lecturers to foreign countries for full or partial curriculum delivery. There has been dramatic growth in the development of electronic interactive learning systems and their application via E-Learning to higher education in the international market. The curriculum associated with Information Systems and in particular the teaching of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems is particularly suited to the application of E-Learning technologies. Victoria University has extended its offshore programs by offering ERP education in the Asian region and has applied E-learning technologies blending synchronous and asynchronous content to assist this expansion. A number of technologies facilitate teaching: application service provision (ASP), web-CT, computer-based training and virtual classroom technology. This approach provides an innovative and efficient means to deliver higher education internationally in terms of flexibility in subject delivery and increased learning outcomes

Determinants of Private Afforestation in the Republic of Ireland

This paper employs a panel regression analysis using county-level data to quantify the relative importance of competing forestry and agricultural policy incentives in explaining trends in private afforestation in Ireland. It concludes that an increase in the level of up front payments to planters is the most cost efficient way of increasing planting levels. The introduction of the Irish agri-environment programme REPS has contributed to a significant decline in the level of forestry planting and offset the recent increases in the level of forestry grants and premia. Several policy reforms to encourage forestry planting in Ireland are proposed, including greater integration of forestry with the REPS scheme and increasing the value of the initial payment which farmers receive.

ERP E-Learning: If you can\u27t take Mohammed to the classroom, take the classroom to Mohammed

E-learning is seen as a “silver bullet” providing a range of learning experiences independent of geographic regions, time zones and individual learning styles. Many organisations are currently considering how best to position this solution. This paper argues that a blended approach which incorporates both classroom based education and e- learning is the preferred option. It adopts a case study methodology to demonstrate the application of a blended approach to Enterprise Resource Planning education

Integrating e-learning content into enterprise resource planning (ERP) curriculum

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems offer a software-based system that handles an enterprise's total information system needs in an integrated fashion. Such systems have seen a significant growth in the last decade in the US, Europe and Australian markets and, more recently, increasing growth in Asian countries. This increase in demand for ERP systems in Asia offers opportunities for the provision of high-quality ERP education programs in the region. This paper describes the issues and barriers associated with integrating ERP systems into university curricula. It outlines the experiences of Victoria University in offering ERP education through a strategic alliance with SAP. The University is extending its offshore programs by offering ERP education in the region to take advantage of the current increase in demand in ERP applications. To assist with the delivery of offshore ERP education an ERP e-Learning model has been developed that integrates synchronous and asynchronous content. Asynchronous e-learning does not involve the presence of a teacher. Typically the learning content is located on a web server that students can access using the Internet. Synchronous e-learning requires the learner and teacher to be present in the event at the same time. It is a real-time, instructor-led online learning event in which all participants are available at the same time and can communicate directly with each other. The model uses four technologies to facilitate teaching: application service provision (ASP), web-CT, computer-based training and virtual classroom technology. The ERP e-learning model provides an innovative and efficient means to deliver ERP curriculum. It is able to provide greater flexibility in offshore subject delivery and to maximise student learning outcomes. This is particularly relevant in light of recent international medical (SARS) and terrorists incidents. --InSITE 2004, held Rockhampton, Queensland, 25-28 June 200

Leveraging Enterprise-Wide Information System\u27s Curriculum to Teach E-Business Concepts

Many universities have struggled to incorporate Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems into their Information Systems (IS) curriculum. They are now faced with the issue of how best to incorporate e-business. They often treat the two technologies separately without realising the synergy between the two. We propose that IS curriculum can be extended using an ERP system to teach e-business concepts. Many IS departments have spent much time and resources in modifying their curriculum to incorporate Enterprise Resource Planning Systems. These systems are seen as a tool to reinforce many IS concepts. To facilitate the inclusion of ERP systems into the curricula universities have formed strategic alliances with major ERP vendors. The ERP vendor benefits from these alliances by increasing the supply of skilled graduates that can support their product thereby enhancing its marketability and lowering the cost of implementation, while the university gains access to the software at a greatly reduced cost. Through these alliances universities have made a commitment to incorporate ERP systems into their curriculum and have expended an enormous amount of effort and resources to achieve this. For many of these universities it is important to investigate how they can leverage their current level of expertise in ERP systems curriculum to incorporate many of the ERP’s ebusiness functionality to support the teaching of ebusiness concepts. Many consider ERP systems as an essential component of any e-business strategy. Before a university decides to build upon their existing ERP knowledge and resources to teach e-business concepts and skills in the IS curriculum, consideration should be given to a number of factors, including how ebusiness is covered in the IS curriculum at present; in what ways and to what extent should e-business issues be addressed; and what ERP resources should be extended to support the teaching of e-business concepts and skills. This paper examines the potential use of ERP systems as a tool to teach e-business concepts. It discusses the different functionality available and it applicability to IS curriculum

Delivering Enterprise Resource Planning (SAP R/3) Curriculum Using eLearning Resources

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems offer a software-based system that handles an enterprise’s total information system needs in an integrated fashion. Such systems have seen a phenomenal growth in the last decade in the US, Europe and Australian markets. With the recent upturn in South-East Asian economies, an increase in demand for ERP systems is expected and opportunities clearly exist for provision of high-qu ality ERP education programs in this region. This paper describes the issues and barriers associated with integrating ERP systems into university curricula. It outlines the experiences of Victoria University in offering ERP education through a strategic alliance with SAP. The University is extending its offshore programs by incorporating ERP education to take advantag e of the current increase in demand of ERP employment opportunities in the South East Asian region. The proposed ERP eLearning Model incorporates fo ur different technologies for the delivery of ERP education via the Internet. Each technological solution is discussed and advantages identified with possible future research developments put forward. --PACIS 200

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