bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information Technology Education Policy Framework for Developing Countries: Survey and Cluster Analysis of Worldwide Patterns in Information Technology Education
Authors: Jake III Parawan Neri Martiniano
Published: October 2017

The paper examines worldwide patterns of operations of IT education using 31 countries’ data on IT education focusing on contexts, inputs, processes and outcomes of IT education with the end-in-view of deriving sets of national policies for IT education in the Philippines. In all, 13 variables were used as multivariate inputs to a cluster analysis algorithm which aim to cluster countries in terms of a 13 x 13 similarity matrix utilizing a hierarchical cluster method. Data per variable needed in the cluster analysis were obtained from the internet in most of the countries identified. Results revealed that developing countries’ IT education differed from the IT education of developed and less developed countries in terms of: Contexts (Level of Development, Economic Basis, Educational System), Input (Percent of IT Professionals, National Literacy Rate, Percentage of Universities offering IT Courses), Process (Nature of Tertiary level Curriculum, Number of Years of exposure to IT, Provision of OJT in the curriculum, Instructional system, Admission status of IT courses), Output (Level of IT specialization), and Outcome (Employment status). On the basis of the hierarchical cluster analysis performed, policy recommendations are given to enhance the delivery of IT education in the Philippines and to sharpen its contribution to national development.
Finding Diamonds in Data: Reflections on Teaching Data Mining from the Coal Face
Authors: Ponelis Shana
Published: October 2017

Making sense of the exponentially expanding sources of structured electronic data collected by organizations is increasingly difficult. Data mining is the extraction of implicit, previously unknown, and potentially useful information from large volumes of such data to support decisionmaking in organizations and has led to an increase in demand for students who have an understanding of data mining techniques and can apply them to organizations’ data. Thus data mining is an increasingly important component of the Information Systems curriculum in order to meet this skills demand. This paper describes the development of a curriculum for an elective data mining course in an Information Systems graduate program based on the only available model curriculum from the ACM SIGKDD over a two year period and concludes with student feedback and lecturer reflection. This paper will be useful to educators responsible for developing curricula and teaching data mining to IS graduate students; in addition, it serves as instructor feedback to the authors of the ACM SIGKDD model curriculum.
Information Security Management Curriculum Development: An Australian Example
Authors: Warren Matthew , Leitch Shona
Published: October 2017

The development of Information Security as a discipline has only occurred in recent years. Currently Information Security topics are widely taught at tertiary institutions but these topics are taught from a technical perspective and in other cases from a business perspective. This paper discusses the development of a new security curriculum within Australia and how Australian tertiary institutions responded to that curriculum, the paper also puts forwards a framework that assists in curriculum development.
Overcoming the Challenge of Cooperating with Competitors: Critical Success Factors of Interorganizational Systems Implementation
Authors: Geri Nitza
Published: October 2017

The growing phenomenon of competitors that use a common interorganizational system (IOS) raises challenging strategic and organizational issues. Sometimes organizations join IOS initiatives although it seems to weaken their competitive position. This paper analyzes, in retrospect, the fully automated Tel-Aviv Continuous Trading system (TACT) implemented by the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) and its members, about a decade after its inauguration. It examines TACT's organizational feasibility and its critical success factors, using the Theory of Constraints (TOC) as a theoretical basis. The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of one system, including the point of view of both the initiator (TASE) and the participants (TASE members). TACT's implementation complexity was further escalated since all users had to convert to it simultaneously. Therefore, intensive cooperation was required, especially between Israel's five largest banks, which had seemingly faced a value paradox of IOS, since TACT was supposed to undermine their competitive position by reducing customer lock-in. This study contributes to the informing science transdiscipline by extending its applicability to interorganizational contexts, and by introducing the Theory of Constraints as an effective analysis tool that can be integrated within the informing science framework. It emphasizes the importance of a neutral managing intermediary, provides guidelines for successful IOS implementation, and suggests that the main critical success factor is information systems management skills.
Assessment of Nigerian Teacher Educators’ ICT Training
Authors: Jegede Philip
Published: October 2017

The study examines the nature and impact of ICT trainings received by teacher educators in Southwestern Nigeria teacher training institutions. Four hundred and sixty nine teacher educators participated in the study by responding to three research instruments. The instruments enquired information on ICT training background, competence and use level of teacher educators. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA and Chi-square. Result showed that more than half of the educators had been exposed to one form of ICT training or the other. But trainings had hardly included the use of ICT in instruction. Most of those trained received their training directly from the institution. Educators preferred mostly the inclusion of software skills on teachers’ ICT training curriculum. It was also found that training delivery has no varying effect on basic ICT skills.
Digital Divide: The Case of Developing Countries
Authors: W. L. Fong Michelle
Published: October 2017

This research paper assesses the impact of ICTs (which includes the Internet, mobile phone, pager, personal computer, and telephone) on Gross National Income (GNI) per capita in developing countries in 2005. It found a significant relationship between GNI per capita (in PPP international dollar) and adoption of each ICT (mobile phone, personal computer, and telephone) but not for Internet technology adoption. In addition, it identifies factors that developing countries need to consider in the adoption and application of ICTs for economic development.
Student Performance and Perceptions in a Web-Based Competitive Computer Simulation
Authors: Buzzetto-More Nicole , Mitchell Bryant
Published: October 2017

Computer simulations have implications across disciplines and with learners at all levels. By requiring learners to develop and apply knowledge and skills in interactive changing environments, they encourage deeper levels of learning. Additionally, simulations have been shown to be particularly effective at teaching complicated concepts that depend on the ability to understand interrelationships, strategize, make predictions, analyze and evaluate, and engage in multi-faceted decision making. In order to help students gain a deeper understanding of key business concepts, encourage critical thinking and decision making, foster collaboration and critical discourse, and encourage the application of concepts into real world business practices, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a minority serving institution, decided in 2004 to introduce a series of competitive web-based simulations at key junctures throughout the curriculum but focused primarily in the course Strategic Management. The simulation selected covers topics such as Strategy & Tactics, Policy, Production, Accounting, Marketing, Finance, Quality control, Human resources, Leadership, and Teamwork and involves students competing in teams against other teams. In order to assess the effectiveness of the simulation, a research protocol was introduced that included the administration of student surveys as well as the collection of performance data. The findings indicate that students overwhelmingly felt that the simulation helped them understand the application of key concepts and learn the decision making process that occurs in professional business practice. The examination of student performance data gathered in this study, with consideration given to the strong levels of student satisfaction, encouraged the authors to postulate based on the high success rates of this student population, which traditionally underperforms in more traditional mode of assessments, that simulations may serve as an equalizer that offers all students, from low to high achievers, an opportunity to succeed and that competitive web-based simulations enhance the overall educational and personal development experiences of minority students enrolled in higher education business programs.
The Effect of Engagement and Perceived Course Value on Deep and Surface Learning Strategies
Authors: Floyd Kevin , Harrington Susan , Santiago Julie
Published: October 2017

This study investigated the relationships among perceived course value, student engagement, deep learning strategies, and surface learning strategies. The study relied on constructs from previous studies to measure course value, engagement, surface learning strategy, and deep learning strategy. Statistically significant findings were observed between perceived course value, student engagement, and deep learning strategy. Surface learning strategies occur when the student’s perceived value of the course is low. These findings suggest that deep learning strategies occur when students are engaged in the learning process and their perceived value of the course content is high. While there is much research to support the finding that engagement is a way to help students learn, the findings of this study show that course value has a greater positive influence on deep learning and surface learning strategies than engagement. By understanding and enhancing perceived value and engagement, the ultimate goal of enhancing deep learning should result.
Provisions and Effectiveness of Continued Staff Development Programmes for Professionals in University Libraries in East India
Authors: Kumar Arun
Published: October 2017

One of the greatest challenges that academic and research libraries face today is to prepare the staff working in these organizations for the future. Preparation of library staff requires serious attention to the human resource programmes in libraries and consideration of the development needs and interests of staff at all levels, from at the top the University Librarian to the lowest level the Library Attendant. Human resource planning requires a strategic approach, which focuses on both the immediate issues and considers future needs. Library Managers and the Library Authority need to be adept at identifying the human resources issues in their organizations; able to design and implement development programmes, policies and procedures, to address these issues in a timely and meaningful way; and willing to commit the necessary resources to support the full development of all library staff.
Securing Control Signaling in Mobile IPv6 with Identity-Based Encryption
Authors: Ehmke Martin , Forsgren Harri , Grahn Kaj , Karlsson Jonny , Karvi Timo , Pulkkis Goran
Published: October 2017

Control signaling messages in Mobile IPv6 are mainly used to inform the home agent (HA) and the correspondent node (CN) about the mobile node’s (MN’s) new address when its network attachment point is changed. In order to prevent various security attacks, these messages must be protected. In the current standard, the control signaling messages between a HA and a MN are authenticated using IPSec, often with IKEv2 and X.509 certificates. Control signaling messages between a MN and a CN are currently protected by an effective but insecure protocol, known as Return Routability. Using IBE (Identity-Based Encryption) for authenticating control signaling messages requires more processing power but significant security enhancements are achieved. The current protocols for protecting control signaling messages are outlined in this paper. Proposed approaches for implementing IBE-authentication between a MN and a HA as well as between a MN and a CN are presented. Environments where the MN and the CN use the same Public Key Generator (PKG) as well as environments where they use different PKGs are taken into account. Finally, the performance of some proposed signaling protocols is estimated. An overview of IBE is given and the elements and operations needed to set up an IBE infrastructure are described in an appendix.
Will Information-Communications Systems Survive? Web 2.x and SocNet as Placebos or Real Internet Survival Kit
Authors: Ruzic Fjodor
Published: October 2017

Since the information-communications systems lay on three interactive portions of infrastructure (network, information bases, devices/interfaces), the current Internet domination of Web 2.x will be finished very soon. The Internet as we are using today has to be changed. In particular, the next generation of Internet has to be more user friendly, information oriented and computerless interfaced. It should add features that will help users utilize it in the same way they utilize other methods of communication and transport and have the same or superior level of flexibility. What will be with Internet if it would not answer on new demand for greater and more flexible/mobile communication? Some projections are based on presumptions that Internet will not survive. In contrary, there are also presumptions that Internet could survive with Web 2.x and Social Networks development and with IPv6 as well. Does it means real base and solution for helping Internet to stay alive or it is only placebo for today's Internet users. In order to reshape current Internet status, some Web 2.x and Social Networks deployments are described in this paper as well as the assumptions on the structure of survival kit for Internet to stay alive in the future.
Soft Skills and Technical Expertise of Effective Project Managers
Authors: Gillard Sharlett
Published: October 2017

As the field of research surrounding project management continues to grow, it is becoming more evident that success in the role of project manager cannot be attained with a technical skill set only. Project managers functioning within a matrix organizational structure and championing large-scale initiatives are in a communication paradigm unparalleled by any other management position. Excellent interpersonal, or soft skills, are necessary requisites for success. Additionally, research is revealing that leading is preferable to managing a project team, and that the leadership style of the project manager directly impacts the outcome of the project. The article presents an overview of these tenets drawn from opinion positions, practical experiences, and empirical research studies. There is clear evidence that additional empirical research would be bene-fic ial.
How Anomalous Is Beladv's Anomaly?
Authors: McMaster Kirby , Sambasivam Samuel , Anderson Nicole
Published: October 2017

In a virtual memory system using demand paging, the page fault rate of a process varies with the number of memory frames allocated to the process. When an increase in the number of frames allocated leads to an increase in the number of page faults, Belady's anomaly is said to occur. In this study we used computer simulation to examine four conditions that affect the incidence of Belady's anomaly: (1) page replacement algorithm (FIFO vs. Random Page), (2) process size, (3) reference string length, and (4) memory frames allocated to the process. We found that over a wide range of process sizes and reference string lengths, Belady's anomaly occurred for up to 58.6% of the (random) reference strings under FIFO, and up to 100% of the reference strings for Random Page. Under conditions where anomalies occur most often, the average frame allocation level was around 75% of the process size for FIFO, but just over 50% of the process size for Random Page. Throughout the study, Belady's anomaly occurred so frequently that it no longer seems anomalous. This is especially true for the Random Page algorithm.
Capturing the Mature Traveler: Assessing Web First Impressions
Authors: Lukaitis Audra , Davey Bill
Published: October 2017

This paper proposes a method of assessing hotel web sites in a way that may allow prediction of first impressions of those web sites. A model is presented that combines the ideas of media frames as defined by Matthes and Kohring and work on first impressions by Kim and Fesenmaier. To obtain information regarding the utility of this model a small sample of older travelers’ first impressions was gathered and a number of web pages analyzed for frame content. The trial run with this sample showed that it is possible to obtain both cohesive results from potential searchers and to classify frames consistently between researchers. In the small sample it was found that older people (50+) with travel aspirations did make quick judgments in terms of “first impression” and were favorably impressed by pages that “inspired” users and appeared easy to understand and navigate. There was considerable difference between first impressions of the same page, but subjects reported similar reactions to pages with the same frame elements.
Generating Benefits and Negotiating Tensions through an International Doctoral Forum: A Sociological Analysis
Authors: Michael Mu Guanglun , Jia Ning , Hu Yongbin , Hughes Hilary , Shi Xiaobo , zhang Muchu , Alford Jennifer , G Carter Merilyn , Fox Jillian , Duke Jennifer , Flynn Matthew , Xia Huanhuan
Published: October 2017

Workshops and seminars are widely-used forms of doctoral training. However, research with a particular focus on these forms of doctoral training is sporadic in the literature. There is little, if any, such research concerning the international context and participants’ own voices. Mindful of these lacunae in the literature, we write the current paper as a group of participants in one of a series of doctoral forums co-organised annually by Beijing Normal University, China and Queensland University of Technology, Australia. The paper voices our own experiences of participation in the doctoral forum. Data were drawn from reflections, journals, and group discussions of all 12 student and academic participants. These qualitative data were organised and analysed through Bourdieu’s notions of capital and field. Findings indicate that the doctoral forum created enabling and challenging social fields where participants accrued and exchanged various forms of capital and negotiated transient and complex power relations. In this respect, the sociological framework used provides a distinctive theoretical tool to conceptualise and analyse the benefits and tensions of participation in the doctoral forum. Knowledge built and lessons learned through our paper will provide implications and recommendations for future planning of, and participation in, the doctoral forum series and similar activities elsewhere.
Formal Learning Sequences and Progression in the Studio: A Framework for Digital Design Education
Authors: Wärnestål Pontus
Published: October 2017

This paper examines how to leverage the design studio learning environment throughout long-term Digital Design education in order to support students to progress from tactical, well-defined, device-centric routine design, to confidently design sustainable solutions for strategic, complex, problems for a wide range of devices and platforms in the digital space. We present a framework derived from literature on design, creativity, and theories on learning that: (a) implements a theory of formal learning sequences as a user-centered design process in the studio; and (b) describes design challenge progressions in the design studio environment modeled in seven dimensions. The framework can be used as a tool for designing, evaluating, and communicating course progressions within – and between series of – design studio courses. This approach is evaluated by implementing a formal learning sequence framework in a series of design studio courses that progress in an undergraduate design-oriented Informatics program. Reflections from students, teachers, and external clients indicate high student motivation and learning goal achievement, high teacher satisfaction and skill development, and high satisfaction among external clients.
Tuning Primary Learning Style for Children with Secondary Behavioral Patterns
Authors: Mosharraf Maedeh
Published: October 2017

Personalization is one of the most expected features in the current educational systems. User modeling is supposed to be the first stage of this process, which may incorporate learning style as an important part of the model. Learning style, which is a non-stable characteristic in the case of children, differentiates students in learning preferences. This paper identifies a new hybrid method to initiate and update the information of children’s learning style in an educational system. At the start-up phase, children’s learning style information is gathered through the modified Murphy-Meisgeier Type Indicator for Children (MMTIC) questionnaire, which is based on the well-known Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). This primary information will be tuned by tracking children’s behaviors during the learning process. Analytical data mining helped us to cluster these behaviors and find their patterns. The proposed method was applied on 81 fourth grade children in elementary school. Delivering results suggest that this method provides a good precision in recognizing children learning style and may be an appropriate solution for non-stability problems in their preferences.
EdD Students’ Self-Efficacy and Interest in Conducting Research
Authors: R Kerrigan Monica , Walker Hayes Kimberly
Published: October 2017

Today’s educational practitioners are expected to know how to gather, analyze, and report on data for accountability purposes and to use that information to improve student outcomes. However, there is little understanding of how to support practitioners’ learning of and engagement with research and few studies on the research experiences of students enrolled in Doctorate of Education (EdD) programs. The success of students enrolled in Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs in conducting research has been found to be related to students’ self-efficacy and interest, but these concepts have not been explored with EdD students who are more likely to engage in applied research in their workplace than to create a research-focused career. This study sought to understand the self-efficacy and interest that EdD students enrolled in an Educational Leadership program have in research skills and tasks in order to improve research course offerings. Our findings with EdD students are consistent with existing research on PhD students regarding research self-efficacy but we did not observe significant changes in students’ interest over time. We suggest avenues for future study in light of current accountability reporting requirements for practitioners.
Challenges in Doctoral Research Project Management: A Comparative Study
Authors: Katz Reuven
Published: October 2017

This paper presents quantitative results of a comparative study evaluating the management skills of doctoral candidates working toward a PhD and additional information related to their lifestyles. We conducted a survey among enrolled doctoral candidates at five universities in Israel and three technological universities in Western Europe. 1013 Israeli candidates and 457 Western European candidates replied to our survey. In our analysis, we compared the answers of Israeli Science and Engineering candidates to those of Social Sciences and Humanities candidates; in addition, we compared the answers of Israeli Science and Engineering students to their Western European peers. Our analysis focused on finding significant patterns by comparing these groups of students. In order to identify such patterns, we analyzed each question using the Pearson chi-square test. The current study’s main finding is that the majority of candidates, regardless of their chosen academic field or the region where they study, have no training or expertise in managing a doctoral research project. Based on these findings, we suggest that all doctoral candidates be taught basic research-project management. We believe that such training will provide them with a powerful tool for better managing their research as they advance towards successful completion of their doctorate.
“Hour of Code”: Can It Change Students’ Attitudes toward Programming?
Authors: Du Jie , Wimmer Hayden , Rada Roy
Published: October 2017

The Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science organized by Code.org, a non-profit dedicated to expanding participation in computer science. This study investigated the impact of the Hour of Code on students’ attitudes towards computer programming and their knowledge of programming. A sample of undergraduate students from two universities was selected to participate. Participants completed an Hour of Code tutorial as part of an undergraduate course. An electronic questionnaire was implemented in a pre-survey and post-survey format to gauge the change in student attitudes toward programming and their programming ability. The findings indicated the positive impact of the Hour of Code tutorial on students’ attitude toward programming. However, the students’ programming skills did not significantly change. The authors suggest that a deeper alignment of marketing, teaching, and content would help sustain the type of initiative exemplified by the Hour of Code.
Modern Technology and Human Extinction
Authors: Allen Schultz Robert
Published: October 2017

The purpose of this paper is to describe and explain a central property of modern technology that makes it an important potential contributor to human extinction. This view may seem strange to those who regard technology as an instrument of human growth. After discussing modern technology and two important candidates for extinction, other technological candidates for serious contribution to human extinction will be examined. The saving contribution of information technology is also discussed.
The Effect of Perceived Expected Satisfaction with Electronic Health Records Availability on Expected Satisfaction with Electronic Health Records Portability in a Multi-Stakeholder Environment
Authors: Bozan Karoly , Datta Pratim
Published: October 2017

A central premise for the creation of Electronic Health Records (EHR) is ensuring the portability of patient health records across various clinical, insurance, and regulatory entities. From portability standards such as International Classification of Diseases (ICD) to data sharing across institutions, a lack of portability of health data can jeopardize optimal care and reduce meaningful use. This research empirically investigates the relationship between health records availability and portability. Using data collected from 168 medical providers and patients, we confirm the positive relationship between user perceptions of expected satisfaction with EHR availability and the expected satisfaction with portability. Our findings contribute to more informed practice by understanding how ensuring the availability of patient data by virtue of enhanced data sharing standards, device independence, and better EHR data integration can subsequently drive perceptions of portability across a multitude of stakeholders.
Doing the Organizational Tango: Symbiotic Relationship between Formal and Informal Organizational Structures for an Agile Organization
Authors: Malgorzata Ali Irena
Published: October 2017

[This paper is published in the Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge, and Management, Volume 11.]

This paper reports on research with a broad objective to examine the relationship between two organizational entities, the formally structured organization and informal organizational structures, in a changing operational environment, more specifically during military deployments. The paper draws on organizational and complexity paradigms; based on empirical evidence obtained through qualitative techniques, it describes mechanisms that enable a symbiotic relationship between these two organizational structures in a complex operational landscape. Substantive findings provide insights into the dynamics of the interactions between these structures and illuminate the relationship between three enabling factors – accountability, responsible autonomy, and command and control arrangements – that need to be considered to fully exploit the strengths inherent in both formal and informal structures. Based on these findings, a model for enhancement of organizational agility in response to changes in a complex operational environment is described. The model is predicated on feedback and mutual adjustment of the organization, institution and individual through sensemaking; it illustrates the dynamic nature of interactions that are required for such a response.
The X-Factor of Cultivating Successful Entrepreneurial Technology-Enabled Start-Ups
Authors: Scott Elsje , Govender Terrina , van der Merwe Nata
Published: October 2017

In the fast changing global economic landscape, the cultivation of sustainable entrepreneurial ventures is seen as a vital mechanism that will enable businesses to introduce new innovative products to the market faster and more effectively than their competitors.
This research paper investigated phenomena that may play a significant role when entrepreneurs implement creative ideas resulting in successful technology enabled start-ups within the South African market place. Constant and significant changes in technology provide several challenges for entrepreneurship. Various themes such as innovation, work experience, idea generation, education and partnership formation have been explored to assess their impact on entrepreneurship.
Reflection and a design thinking approach underpinned a rigorous analysis process to distill themes from the data gathered through semi structured interviews. From the findings it was evident that the primary success influencers include the formation of partnership, iterative cycles, and certain types of education. The secondary influencers included the origination of an idea, the use of innovation. and organizational culture as well as work experience.
This research illustrates how Informing Science as a transdisicpline can provide a philosophical underpinning to communicate and synthesise ideas from constituent disciplines in an attempt to create a more cohesive whole. This diverse environment, comprising people, technology, and business, requires blending different elements from across diverse fields to yield better science. With this backdrop, this preliminary study provides an important foundation for further research in the context of a developing country where entrepreneurial ventures may have a socio-economical impact. The themes that emerged through this study could provide avenues for further research.
Computer Skills Training and Readiness to Work with Computers
Authors: Mor Dalit , Laks Hagar , Hershkovitz Arnon
Published: October 2017

In today’s job market, computer skills are part of the prerequisites for many jobs. In this paper, we report on a study of readiness to work with computers (the dependent variable) among unemployed women (N=54) after participating in a unique, web-supported training focused on computer skills and empowerment. Overall, the level of participants’ readiness to work with computers was much higher at the end of the course than it was at its begin-ning. During the analysis, we explored associations between this variable and variables from four categories: log-based (describing the online activity); computer literacy and experience; job-seeking motivation and practice; and training satisfaction. Only two variables were associated with the dependent variable: knowledge post-test duration and satisfaction with content. After building a prediction model for the dependent variable, another log-based variable was highlighted: total number of actions in the course website along the course. Overall, our analyses shed light on the predominance of log-based variables over variables from other categories. These findings might hint at the need of developing new assessment tools for learners and trainees that take into consideration human-computer interaction when measuring self-efficacy variables.
Flipped Classroom: A Comparison Of Student Performance Using Instructional Videos And Podcasts Versus The Lecture-Based Model Of Instruction
Authors: Guy Retta , Marquis Gerald
Published: October 2017

[The final form of this paper was published in the journal Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology.] The authors present the results of a study conducted at a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university. A causal-comparative design was chosen for this study to compare student performance in two different classroom environments, traditional versus flipped. The study spanned 3 years, beginning fall 2012 through spring 2015. The participants included 433 declared business majors who self-enrolled in several sections of the Management Information Systems course during the study. The results of the current study mirrored those of previous works reporting that the flipped classroom approach offers flexibility with no loss of performance when compared to traditional lecture-based environments.
Flipped Classroom: A Comparison Of Student Performance Using Instructional Videos And Podcasts Versus The Lecture-Based Model Of Instruction
Authors: Guy Retta , Marquis Gerald
Published: October 2017

The authors present the results of a study conducted at a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university. A quasi-experimental design was chosen for this study to compare student performance in two different classroom environments, traditional versus flipped. The study spanned 3 years, beginning fall 2012 through spring 2015. The participants included 433 declared business majors who self-enrolled in several sections of the Management Information Systems course during the study. The results of the current study mirrored those of previous works as the instructional method impacted students’ final grade. Thus, reporting that the flipped classroom approach offers flexibility with no loss of performance when compared to traditional lecture-based environments.
The Use, Impact, and Unintended Consequences of Mobile Web-Enabled Devices in University Classrooms
Authors: A. Johnston Kevin
Published: October 2017

The impact that mobile web-enabled devices have had on the lives and behavior of university students has been immense. Yet, many of the models used in the classrooms have remained unchanged. Although a traditional research approach of examining the literature, developing a methodology, and so on is followed, this paper’s main aim is to inform practitioners on observations and examples from courses which insist on and encourage mobiles in the classroom.
The paper asked three research questions regarding the use, impact, and unintended consequences of mobile web-enabled devices in the classroom. Data was collected from observing and interacting with post graduate students and staff in two universities across two continents: Africa and Europe.
The paper then focuses on observations and examples on the use, impact, and unintended consequences of mobile web-enabled devices in two classrooms. The findings are that all students used mobile web-enabled devices for a variety of reasons. The use of mobile devices did not negatively impact the class, rather students appeared to be more engaged and comfortable knowing they were allowed to openly access their mobile devices. The unintended consequences included the use of mobiles to translate text into home languages.
Win-Win-Win: Reflections from a Work-Integrated Learning Project in a Non-Profit Organization
Authors: C MacKrell Dale
Published: October 2017

[The final form of this paper was published in the journal Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology.]
This paper reports on the educational aspects of an information systems work-integrated learning (WIL) capstone project for an organization which operates to alleviate homelessness in the Australian non-profit sector. The methodology adopted for the study is Action Design Research (ADR) which draws on action research and design research as a means for framing a project's progress. Reflective insights by the project stakeholders, namely, students, academics, and the non-profit client, reveal a curriculum at work through internal features of the organization; personal features of the participants and features of the external environment. Preliminary findings suggest that students in a WIL project for a non-profit are highly engaged, especially when they become aware of the project’s social value. As well, the improvement of professional skills and emotional intelligence by students is more likely in real-life practice settings than in other less authentic WIL activities, equipping graduates for the workforce with both strong disciplinary and generic skills. Win-win-win synergies through project collaboration represent worthwhile outcomes to education, industry and research.
Blending Audience Response Systems into an Information Systems Professional Course
Authors: Burgess Stephen , Bingley Scott , A Banks David
Published: October 2017

Many higher education institutions are moving towards blended learning environments that seek to move towards a student-centred ethos, where students are stakeholders in the learning process. This often involves multi-modal learner-support technologies capable of operating in a range of time and place settings. This article considers the impact of an Audience Response System (ARS) upon the ongoing development of an Information Systems Professional course at the Masters level in the College of Business at Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia. The course allows students to consider ethical issues faced by an Information Systems Professional. Given the sensitivity of some of the topics explored within this area, an ARS offers an ideal vehicle for allowing students to respond to potentially contentious questions without revealing their identity to the rest of the group.
The paper reports the findings of a pilot scheme designed to explore the efficacy of the technology. Use of a blended learning framework to frame the discussion allowed the authors to consider the readiness of institution, lecturers, and students to use ARS. From a usage viewpoint, multiple choice questions lead to further discussion of student responses related to important issues in the unit. From an impact viewpoint the use of ARS in the class appeared to be successful, but some limitations were reported.
Fuzzy Control Teaching Models
Authors: Kramer Klaus-Dietrich , Söchting Annedore , Stolze Thomas
Published: October 2017

Many degree courses at technical universities include the subject of control systems engineering. As an addition to conventional approaches Fuzzy Control can be used to easily find control solutions for systems, even if they include nonlinearities. To support further educational training, models which represent a technical system to be controlled are required. These models have to represent the system in a transparent and easy cognizable manner. Furthermore, a programming tool is required that supports an easy Fuzzy Control development process, including the option to verify the results and tune the system behavior. In order to support the development process a graphical user interface is needed to display the fuzzy terms under real time conditions, especially with a debug system and trace functionality. The experiences with such a programming tool, the Fuzzy Control Design Tool (FHFCE Tool), and four fuzzy teaching models will be presented in this paper. The methodical and didactical objective in the utilization of these teaching models is to develop solution strategies using Computational Intelligence (CI) applications for Fuzzy Controllers in order to analyze different algorithms of inference or defuzzyfication and to verify and tune those systems efficiently.
Entry Level Systems Analysts: What Does the Industry Want?
Authors: Karanja Erastus , M. Grant Donna , Freeman Shinetta , Anyiwo David
Published: October 2017

This study investigates the skill sets necessary for entry level systems analysts. Towards this end, the study combines two sources of data, namely, a content analysis of 200 systems analysts’ online job advertisements and a survey of 20 senior Information Systems (IS) professionals. Based on Chi-square tests, the results reveal that most employers prefer entry level systems analysts with an undergraduate Computer Science degree. Furthermore, most of the employers prefer entry level systems analysts to have some years of experience as well as industry certifications. The results also reveal that there is a higher preference for entry level systems analysts who have non-technical and people skills (e.g., problem solving and oral communication). The empirical results from this study will inform IS educators as they develop future systems analysts. Additionally, the results will be useful to the aspiring systems analysts who need to make sure that they have the necessary job skills before graduating and entering the labor market.
Cognitive Effects of Technology Over Four Years of College
Authors: N. Loes Chad , Saichaie Kem
Published: October 2017

Technology permeates higher education, yet less is known about the use of established technologies, such as email and other electronic communication mediums (e.g., discussion boards, listservs) for instructional purposes on important student outcomes such as cognitive development. In this study, we use data from the Wabash National Study to estimate the effects of email and other electronic medium use for academic purposes on three measures of cognitive development over four years of college. To investigate this, we regress each measure of cognitive development on email and electronic medium use, while simultaneously controlling for a wide array of potential confounding influences. Net of these influences, we find that email and electronic medium use are positively associated with gains in students’ Need for Cognition. These same technologies fail to have more than a chance influence on students’ critical thinking skills, however. Lastly, email use is associated with gains in the Positive Attitudes Toward Literacy measure for Whites and females, whereas electronic medium use leads to gains in the same outcome for racial and ethnic minorities. While institutions consider newer technologies for instructional purposes, our findings suggest established technologies can play a powerful role in the development of students’ cognitive skills.
KnoWare: A System for Citizen-based Environmental Monitoring
Authors: J Storer Jeremy , T. Chao Joseph , T Torelli Andrew , D Ostrowski Alexis
Published: October 2017

Non-expert scientists are frequently involved in research requiring data acquisition over large geographic areas. Despite mutual benefits for such “citizen science”, barriers also exist, including 1) difficulty maintaining user engagement with timely feedback, and 2) the challenge of providing non-experts with the means to generate reliable data. We have developed a system that addresses these barriers. Our technologies, KnoWare and InSpector, allow users to: collect reliable scientific measurements, map geo-tagged data, and intuitively visualize the results in real-time. KnoWare comprises a web portal and an iOS app with two core functions. First, users can generate scientific ‘queries’ that entail a call for information posed to a crowd with customized options for participant responses and viewing data. Second, users can respond to queries with their GPS-enabled mobile device, which results in their geo- and time-stamped responses populating a web-accessible map in real time. KnoWare can also interface with additional applications to diversify the types of data that can be reported. We demonstrate this capability with a second iOS app called InSpector that performs quantitative water quality measurements. When used in combina-tion, these technologies create a workflow to facilitate the collection, sharing and interpretation of scientific data by non-expert scientists.
Learning from Online Modules in Diverse Instructional Contexts
Authors: Nugent Gwen , Kohmetscher Amy , M. Namuth-Covert Deana , Guretzky Guretzky John , Murphy Patrick , Lee DoKyoung
Published: October 2017

Learning objects originally developed for use in online learning environments can also be used to enhance face-to-face instruction. This study examined the learning impacts of online learning objects packaged into modules and used in different contexts for undergraduate education offered on campus at three institutions. A multi-case study approach was used, examining learning impacts across a variety of course subjects, course levels (introductory and advanced undergraduate), student levels (undergraduate and graduate), and instructional goals (i.e., replacement for lecture, remediation). A repeated measures design was used, with learning data collected prior to viewing the online module, after completion of the module, and at the end of the semester. The study provided a broad examination of ways that online modules are typically used in a college classroom, as well as measured learning effectiveness based on different instructional purpose and usage contexts. Results showed the effectiveness of the modules in serving as a substitute for classroom lecture, remediation of course prerequisite material, introduction to content with follow-up lab practice, and review for final exams. In each of these cases, the use of the modules resulted in significant learning increases, as well as retention of the learning until the end of the semester.
Technological Entrepreneurship Framework for University Commercialization of Information Technology
Authors: Amboala Tamrin , Richardson Joan
Published: October 2017

One effective way of accelerating the commercialization of university innovations (inventions) is to execute a “Technological Entrepreneurship” framework that helps the execution of agreements between universities and industry for commercialization. Academics have been encouraged to commercialize their research and findings yet the level of success of commercialization of inventions (innovations) in industry is questionable. As there is no agreed commercialization framework to guide the execution of processes to support inventions moving from laboratories to the right market. The lack of capabilities of appropriate processes have undermined the turning of innovation and products into wealth. The research questions are designed to identify the constraints and hindrances of commercialization and the characteristics of successful processes built from framework based on selected case studies of incubation capabilities within universities commercialization program.