Developing the Systems Project Course

The 1986 and 1990 DPMA model curricula both include a Systems Project course (CIS/86-8 and IS-8). This course places emphasis on systems theory and user requirement- based problem solving. This paper describes the development of the Systems Project course. Initially, it addresses the definition of the course, including the selection of projects, the creation of teams, development and tracking of a project plan, the analysis and design of the system, and the completion of the project. It then discusses the software tools needed and the major problems that are encountered in teaching the Systems Project course. If developed and taught well, the Systems Projects course may very well be the most important class any information systems student could take

Net Neutrality and Its Potential Impact on Free Speech

For hundreds of years, free speech has basically had a limited range and audience. You could speak and anyone within your voice range could hear what you had to say. Then came the printing press and books. You could write your thoughts and they could be published, but many people did not have access or the ability to read them. Radio, television, and other transmission media widened the potential range of your audience. Your words could be heard or read by people not in your general vicinity. But there were still limitations. People may have had access to your written or spoken words, but they did not understand the language in which the words were printed or transmitted in. Stopping your words from being able to be heard or understood created an impediment to free speech. You could verbalize your thoughts, but many people did not have access to hear them. There were still many barriers to inhibit free speech, including language and the ability of the receiver to fi nd your words in a sea of other writings and recordings

Recent Developments in Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is an uncommon genetic bone disease associated with brittle bones and fractures in children and adults. Although OI is most commonly associated with mutations of the genes for type I collagen, many other genes (some associated with type I collagen processing) have now been identified. The genetics of OI and advances in our understanding of the biomechanical properties of OI bone are reviewed in this article. Treatment includes physiotherapy, fall prevention, and sometimes orthopedic procedures. In this brief review, we will also discuss current understanding of pharmacologic therapies for treatment of OI

Web 2.0 and Virtual World Technologies: A Growing Impact on IS Education

Web 2.0 and virtual world technologies are here to stay. Today, our students come to our classroom with a presence on Facebook, the latest concert as a podcast on their MP3 player, and experience playing games in virtual worlds. In some respects, students are more tech-savvy than their Information Systems professors. Research showing the benefits of collaborative learning is being conducted across disciplines. This Special Issue looks at the use of Web 2.0 and virtual world technologies in information systems classes. In this paper, we introduce this Special Issue by discussing the different types of Web 2.0 technologies, looking at how they are used in information systems education, and examining some of the advantages and disadvantages of using them in the classroom. The final section of this paper addresses some future thoughts regarding the use of Web 2.0 technologies in our classes

Panel Session Proposal: Publishing in the Journal of Information Systems Education

This Panel Session will discuss various aspects regarding opportunities for submitting and possibly getting papers published in the Journal of Information Systems Education (JISE), the leading academic journal in IS education. In addition, other ways to assist JISE will be addressed and discussed

Empirically Assessing Students\u27 Perceptions of the Importance of Student Characteristic

After at least four years of college, do students seeking entry-Ievel IS employment realize that employers consider many variables when making the hiring decision? Many employers look at GPA, but other variables, such as the business skills, ability to work with others, energy, drive, and enthusiasm, and analytical skills, are also important. This study empirically assesses students\u27 perceptions of the importance of seven student characteristics in the hiring process. Subjects included 51 undergraduate and 28 graduate students. The methodology employs analysis that facilitates the examination of all seven characteristics simultaneously. Results show that the two most important variables were communication skills and the ability to work with others. While all seven variables were important, students perceived GPA to be the least important of the seven. Demographic variables such as gender and major had no effect on the results

Enterprise Systems Education: Where are We? Where are We Going?

Enterprise systems are used by companies worldwide. As the importance of enterprise systems has increased in the corporate world, so have their importance increased in IS education. As a result, enterprise systems education impacts the IS curriculum of many universities. The maturity of enterprise systems education has developed over the years, however, when compared to other maturity models, enterprise systems education has a long way to go. As part of its mission to support Information Systems (IS) education, JISE is pleased to publish this special issue devoted to enterprise systems education. A Teaching Tip, a Teaching Case, and eight papers on varying enterprise systems education topics are presented

Computer Lab Technology to Support Information Systems Programs

For a number of years the Annual UCLA Survey of Business School Computer Usage (begun in 1984, published in 1985) benchmarked information technology assets available to business school students. The survey was cosponsored by the AACSB for a number of years and was used by schools of business to judge the level of technology that supported students. The last of these surveys was in 1999. The need to document a broad sample of current information technology available to students is as strong today as it has been in the past. The difference today is in the types of technology used and the programmatic goals supported by the technology. The UCLA survey of computer resources focused on computers in open labs, staffing for student labs, dollars spent per student, and similar measures. Today a focus is needed that describes the types of resources used and staffing to assist students and faculty in specialized circumstances. The survey developed here will address the information technology needs for skills outlined in the IS2002 model curriculum

Faculty Exchanges as a Way to Increase Globalization in the IS Curriculum

Companies are becoming more and more global, in large part because of the impact of Information Systems (IS). IS faculty exchanges can be a way for IS faculty to broaden their experiences and education in this flat world. This article presents the views of four scholars on faculty exchanges and experiences. These views are based on their faculty exchange experiences and were presented during a panel session at the America’s Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS) 2010 in Lima, Peru. The panelists described their individual exchanges, how they impacted their areas of research and teaching, and their lives

Assessment: Placing the Emphasis on Learning in Information Systems Programs and Classes

Assessment in information systems (IS) programs is here, and it is here to stay! AACSB, ABET, and almost every other accrediting agency require some type of assessment. Assessment activities help faculty determine levels of student learning. It can be used to see how courses in the IS curriculum link together to form a coherent IS program. Assessment results can be used as compelling evidence of the quality of teaching. In short, assessment allows IS educations to place an emphasis on learning in IS programs and classes. This Special Issue presents eight papers that support the assessment of IS programs