bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incorporating the Hybrid Learning Model into Minority Education at a Historically Black University
Authors: Buzzetto-More Nicole , Sweat-Guy Retta
Published: October 2017

Proponents of hybrid learning proclaim it to be an effective and efficient way of expanding course content that supports in-depth delivery and analysis of knowledge (Young, 2002) and increases students satisfaction (Campos & Harasim, 1999; Dziuban & Moskal, 2001; Rivera, McAlister, & Rice, 2002; Wu & Hiltz, 2004). In the years to come, hybrid learning is poised to cause a paradigm shift in higher education (Allen & Seaman, 2003; Lorenzetti, 2005; Young, 2002). Graham B. Spanier, president of Pennsylvania State University, was quoted in Young (2002) as saying that hybrid learning presents “the single-greatest unrecognized trend in higher education today.” This benefits of online and hybrid learning have been recognized by the State of Maryland. In a move to stimulate the use of alternative delivery methods, the regents of the University System of Maryland instituted a policy in 2005 that all students take on average 12 of their credits through out-of-classroom experiences and other nontraditional means. Included in the regents' definition of out-of-classroom experiences are e-learning, internships, student teaching, and a host of other activities. Diana G. Oblinger, vice president of Educause, was cited in Lorenzetti (2005) as saying that the Maryland system is recognizing that some online learning is an enhancement to students’ higher-education learning experiences even when those students are full-time on-campus residents. She asserted that the Maryland initiative indicates, and will result in, tangible growth in the hybrid learning model. This paper presents the findings of a study that examined student perceptions of hybrid business courses at a historically black university that operates within the University System of Maryland. Founded in 1886, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is a historically black, 1890 land grant institution and a member of the thirteen-campus University System of the State of Maryland.
A Principled Methodology for Information Retrieval on the Web
Authors: Eayrs Martin
Published: October 2017

The World Wide Web provides a wealth of information - indeed, perhaps more than can comfortably be processed. But how does all that Web content get there? And how can users assess the accuracy and authenticity of what they find? This paper will look at some of the problems of using the Internet as a resource and suggest criteria both for researching and for systematic and critical evaluation of what users find there.
Using Interactive Technologies in Teaching an Online Information Systems Course
Authors: Connolly Thomas , Stansfield Mark
Published: October 2017

eLearning has profoundly changed many aspects of society and, inevitably, it is having a significant impact on Higher Education, where it has now evolved from a marginal form of education to a commonly accepted alternative to traditional face-to-face education. The term can cover different delivery models ranging from courses that are delivered fully online (no face-to-face meetings) to courses that provide some face-to-face interaction and some online provision (sometimes called blended learning). Within this continuum interactive technologies can play a significant role in engaging the learner and providing a rich learning experience. This paper examines how different interactive technologies can be used to enrich the learning experiences of students with different learning styles. The theory is related to the teaching of Information Systems in a postgraduate MSc Management of eBusiness course that uses a range of interactive technologies.
The Professional Doctorate: Its Relativity to the PhD and Relevance for the Knowledge Economy
Authors: Fink Dieter
Published: October 2017

The Professional Doctorate (ProfDoc) is attracting increasing attention because of its perceived greater than the Doctor of Philosophy’s (PhD’s) focus on meeting the needs of the knowledge economy. The paper examines the nature of the ProfDoc vis-a-vis the PhD and identifies significant characteristics of the ProfDoc, especially in respect of relevance and performativity. It then analyses these characteristics in the context of the professional Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) in Information Systems (IS) at an Australian university. An ethnographic approach is used to examine the internal (university) and external (student) environments of the DBA(IS). Recommendations are made to increase its effectiveness for the knowledge economy, including moving to a greater student and industry centred approach. Finally, conclusions are drawn to determine its relevance to the knowledge economy.
Online Communication and Information Technology Education
Authors: Heinze Aleksej , Procter Chris
Published: October 2017

Communication is one of the fundamental elements required for facilitating learning. It is present in the work of (Vygotsky 1978) and more recently (Wenger 1998). These authors are concerned with understanding learning and explaining it. Others have focused their attention on the development of frameworks to facilitate learning. In particular, work related to the introduction of information technology (IT) into the learning domain (e-learning) is exemplified by (Laurillard 1993) and (Salmon 2000). This paper looks at online communication as the link between established theory of learning and literature on e-learning. This work is related to action research data that was collected by the authors on a course using the blended learning mode of delivery. The results suggest that communication is both a challenge and an enabler for facilitating a successful blended learning course.
Teaching the Evaluation of Web Usability
Authors: Procter Chris
Published: October 2017

This paper describes the design and use of a simple method for comparative website evaluation that has been used for the purposes of teaching web design to University students. The method can be learnt within two hours by a novice user or typical customer. The method is not dependant upon the environment being used by the tester and can be adjusted according to the subjective preferences they may have. Results are presented of the use of the method in practice in comparing the sites of a number of airlines. These suggest that the method is both sufficiently rigorous to produce reliable results, and flexible enough for users to customise. It is an effective tool in teaching the principles of web design.
Fraud Management in the E-Commerce Payment Systems
Authors: Saade Raafat , Xie Lishan
Published: October 2017

Despite the fact that money has been and always will be a hot topic, research has ignored it especially when it comes to payment issues in online commerce. It seems that people in the money business are busy making and spending it and have no time to study it and publish their findings. Come to think of it, why would one publish a methodology to save money when he/she can use it solely for themselves? To that effect, this paper investigates the Pay Pal e-payment system, identifies fraudulent activities that have occurred in this system, proposes a simple process to reduce these frauds and reports the results of a Canadian company before and after the application of this process.
Quality of Informing: Bias and Disinformation Philosophical Background and Roots
Authors: Gackowski Zbigniew
Published: October 2017

This is an inquiry into the background and the origins of bias and disinformation as viewed from the philosophical perspective. This paper demonstrates the undeniable analogy between the philosophical framework defined by Schopenhauer and the informational model of decision situations as viewed today in operations research, management sciences, and decision sciences. Bias, and disinformation—the main concerns of informing science are not aberrations or deviations— are the very nature of all communications among living entities. Within the realm of informing science, research that ignores this fact may produce unreliable results. One must face this reality head on. The inquiry contributes to the theoretical foundations of informing science. The results are presented for challenge, critique, and discussion.
End-to-End Performance Evaluation of Selected TCP Variants across a Hybrid Wireless Network
Authors: Oluwatope Ayodeji , Obabire Biodun , Adesola Aderounmu G. , Adigun Matthew
Published: October 2017

Reliable transport protocols such as TCP are tuned to perform well in traditional networks where packet losses occur mostly because of congestion. TCP is intended for use as a highly reliable end-to-end transport protocol for transporting applications such as World-Wide Web (WWW) between hosts in packet-switched computer communication networks. TCP was originally designed for wired links where the error rate is really low and actually assumed that packet losses are due to congestion in the network. However, the increasing popularity of wireless networks indicates that wireless links will play more important role in future internetworks but TCP performance in such networks suffers from significant throughput degradation and very high interactive delays. TCP responds to all losses by invoking congestion control and avoidance algorithms, resulting in degraded end-to-end performance in wireless and lossy systems. Thus, in a bid to show and determine the possibility of adapting TCP protocol for optimal performance on the wireless link, this paper reviews and models the behaviors of TCP variants with a view to evaluate the end-to-end performance analysis of TCP versions: TCP Reno, TCP SACK and TCP Westwood (TCPW), which are designed to improve the performance of TCP in lossy networks. A wireless network model was developed using NS-2 network simulator which and the model was simulated. The results were analyzed in MATLAB 6.5 using throughput as a metric for comparison. The overall results indicate that TCP Westwood (TCPW) demonstrates better performance indices over other versions in a hybrid wireless network environment.
Performance Modeling of UDP Over IP-Based Wireline and Wireless Networks
Authors: Akintola Adeniyi , Adesola Aderounmu G. , Owojori Afolabi , Adigun Matthew
Published: October 2017

The pervasiveness and the seemingly unpopular nature of unidirectional data transfer has greatly necessitated the efforts of this paper. We investigated the performance of User Datagram Protocol (UDP) over IP-based wireline and wireless networks. The conceptual model was developed and tested using Network Simulator 2(NS2) and its bevaviour was monitored over the two networks. The results of the simulation in terms of effective throughput, packet drop/loss, and bandwidth utilization were presented. It reveals that UDP exhibits improved performance degradation on wired networks and that the high throughput is as a result of the fact that UDP does not have flow control protocol as it does not retransmit lost packets.
Virtual Medical Campus (VMC) Graz: Innovative Curriculum meets Innovative Learning Objects Technology
Authors: Haase Volkmar , Smolle Josef , Vejda Stefan , Staber Reinhard , Steinmann Christian , Wascher Ingomar
Published: October 2017

Experience with a large scale virtual university learning system is presented. A newly designed curriculum for medical studies is made available in electronic multimedia form and is serving the needs of 2500 students per semester. We describe the concept, the technology based on a 3-layer-software system, and especially problems and solutions in connection with mapping medical knowledge onto a multimedia learning objects repository including metadata. The resume is that virtualised teaching is a successful method to manage high numbers of students and to organize a fair selection process. When we proceed with face-to-face communication in later phases of the education virtual teaching is still used as a powerful support function.
Using Process Maps for Simulation Modelling in Business Process Change Projects
Authors: Popovic Ales , Indihar Stemberger Mojca , Jaklic Jurij
Published: October 2017

There are several techniques and tools that attempt to effectively represent different modelling perspectives according to business process modelling purpose and goals. One of widely used techniques for process modelling is process maps. The technique is based on flowcharts and one of its most important advantages, that is extremely important in early phases of business process change projects, is that models are easily understandable to all members of a project group. It is believed that this technique can provide only basic facilities in representing processes and is inappropriate for simulation. The main objective of this paper is to show that process maps have all elements required for simulation and that they have some other benefits, very important for business process renovation, that are discussed in the paper.
The Development Use and Evaluation of a Program Design Tool in the Learning and Teaching of Software Development
Authors: Garner Stuart
Published: October 2017

The learning of software development is difficult for many students. Given a problem statement, students have to be able to: design a solution to the problem; implement a solution in a programming language; and test the solution. Often students miss out the design step and start writing programming code immediately. And yet instructors aim to encourage their students to develop a design in, for example, pseudocode. This helps students think carefully about their program designs without getting bogged down in the intricacies of a programming language. However students do not like writing pseudocode. Reasons for this include: it is another language to learn; they do not think that they are actually programming; they cannot test their designs as the designs are not executable; there is not a rigid syntax and so students are unsure whether their pseudocode meets an instructor's expectations. This paper concerns the development of a simple tool that helps students create pseudocode. The tool has been used and evaluated in an introductory programming unit of study. The results suggest that the tool was easy for students to use and that it helped support their learning.
Approach to Building and Implementing Business Intelligence Systems
Authors: Olszak Celina , Ziemba Ewa
Published: October 2017

The article aims at describing processes of building Business Intelligence (BI) systems. Taking the BI systems specifics into consideration, the authors present a suggested methodology of the systems creation and implementation in organisations. The considerations are focused on objectives and functional areas of the BI in organisations. Hence, in this context the approach to be used while building and implementing the BI involves two major stages that are of interactive nature, i.e. BI creation and BI “consumption”. A large part of the article is devoted to presenting objectives and tasks that are realised while building and implementing BI.
Prisoner’s Attitudes Toward Using Distance Education Whilst in Prisons in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al saif Abdulkarim
Published: October 2017

This research explores prisoners’ attitudes for undertaking distance-learning courses whilst in prison, and considers both the benefits and the difficulties experienced by prisoners as a result of their academic work. It is based on over 35 questionnaires completed by 300 current prisoners. The research was conducted in three prisons throughout the country in three different provinces. In addition to providing an in-depth account of the role that education can play during a prison sentence and beyond, it is intended that the experiences shared by these prisoners will provide the basis for additional guidance and support for future distance-learning inmates. The data of this study show that the prisoners in general demonstrated positive attitudes toward using distance education whilst in prisons. The remarkable finding was that the prisoners were self-motivated to engage in the computer and Internet use to continue their academic studies whilst in prison and learn new skills for getting jobs after prison. This finding supports the possibility of the prisoners’ engagement in distance education courses offered at prisons.
Teaching Mobile Communication in an e-Learning Environmnet
Authors: Bergstrom Laura , Grahn Kaj , Karlsson Jonny , Pulkkis Goran
Published: October 2017

This article presents a virtual course with the topic mobile and wireless communication systems. The structure of the tree sections of the course material content, the generic technology section, the wireless technology section, and the mobility management section, is presented. The main didactical approach of the virtual course is a guided excursion to which students enroll. The task sets, consisting of exercises and study directives, that the course teacher assigns each week to the students are described. The concept of step-by-step skill assimilation, which lies behind the student guidance process, is outlined together with descriptions of the different user skill levels. The course has been produced by Arcada Polytechnic as a part of a production team in the Finnish Virtual Polytechnic. The structure of the Finnish educational system together with the goals and structure of the Finnish Virtual Polytechnic are presented. The course development process is described in detail together with the software tools used to produce the course material. The graphical design of the learning platform is presented. The communicating dimension, the interface, and the esthetical dimension, and the layout are presented and analyzed in depth. The IT infrastructure needed to implement and use the learning platform of the course is described and assessed. Issues like how the students are registered and authenticated to the course are presented together with the tools for communication and interaction between student and teacher. General IT requirements together with specific both server (course provider) and client (student) side IT requirements are presented. Teaching and learning experiences, gathered from a wireless networking course held in spring 2005, are presented. In this wireless networking course Mobile IP animation was used to simplify both teaching and learning of mobile IP. Further development needs are also presented.
An Exploratory Survey in Collaborative Software in a Graduate Course in Automatic Identification and Data Capture
Authors: Elliott Stephen , Rishel Teresa
Published: October 2017

TECH 621 is a graduate level course in Automatic Identification and Data Capture at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Typically, it is offered to a cohort of students in a weekend masters program. The course meets on campus three times a semester for two four-hour periods; the course is updated each semester. In the fall of 2006, the instructor decided to incorporate a project component in the course that would show first semester graduate students the potential research opportunities available to them. However, in the planning phase of the projects, the scope grew, and one project took on an international component (with one group working with a university in South Korea), and the others involved working with on-campus undergraduate students. Thus, there was a need to manage the communication of all individuals involved, to provide it in the cheapest possible way, and to make sure that the technology did not fail and hinder the progress of the projects. Furthermore, a collaborative working environment was needed so that each student’s contribution could be monitored. There was also a need to make sure that individual’s didn’t work on different document versions. This paper explains the process of choosing the appropriate technology, its limitations, and the results of student opinions of the technology. It provides a framework for further examination of on-line collaborative tools and study in this area. Important to the course development was determining effective and appropriate pedagogy to meet student needs.
The Discovery Camp: A Talent Fostering Initiative for Developing Research Capabilities among Undergraduate Students
Authors: Evermann Joerg , Hooper Val , Yoong Pak , Toland Janet , Scornavacca Eusebio
Published: October 2017

As universities become increasingly research driven and funded on a research-basis, there is an increased need to attract graduate research students. The easiest way of doing this is to draft highly-talented undergraduate students into the research programmes. However, in a booming industrial job market, this is no easy task for Information Systems and Information Technology programmes. Recognizing that it is easier to retain than to recruit, the School of Information Management conducted an event to foster talent among students and garner interest in the graduate programmes of the school. This paper reports on the experiences of the staff members conducting the event.
Experiences in Building and Using Decision Support Systems in Postgraduate University Courses
Authors: Tatnall Arthur , Burgess Stephen
Published: October 2017

In this paper we will relate some of our experiences in building and using simple Decision Support Systems (DSS) for use in two postgraduate subjects at Victoria University in Melbourne. These subjects are not about Decision Support Systems, but are Information Systems (IS) subjects that introduce, amongst other things, concepts of decision support and DSS. It has been our experience that the complexity, an inability to examine the logic behind decisions that have been recommended, the proprietary nature and the cost of commercial DSS make their use in teaching less than ideal. Our solution was to produce our own simple systems using Excel, Visual Basic and Visual Basic for Applications, and this has proved to be quite successful. The paper reports on building and using Decision Support Systems in this way.
Treasure Hunt in the Library: An Exercise in Academic Literacy
Authors: Langley Dorothy
Published: October 2017

This paper presents an Academic Literacy course designed for first year students in our department. The course is based on a set of relevant reading materials and covers knowledge levels and classification systems, logical and physical library organization principles, physical and virtual search for publications, bibliographic citations and referencing methods and purposes. The paper describes two, out-of-class, activities related to the academic and public libraries in the information age. The first activity, the “Book Hunt”, organizes the students’ conceptions of the variety of functions being served and the impact of information technology on retrieving academic publications. Students’ response to a reflective assignment dealing with concepts and impressions is described. The second activity “Visiting a public library”, involves interviewing the librarian and writing a report on the structure and functions of the library. The paper discusses features of students’ reports and indicates the contribution of the activities to the students’ academic world view.
A Comparative Analysis of Common E-Portfolio Features and Available Platforms
Authors: Sweat-Guy Retta , Buzzetto-More Nicole
Published: October 2017

Assessment of student learning outcomes plays an important role in educational effectiveness, improvement, and sustainability that is increasingly being recognized and required by accrediting bodies (Buzzetto-More, 2006; Haken, 2006). A form of performance-based assessment that is growing in popularity and is heralded for its purposeful, dynamic, and integrated nature is the portfolio (Cooper, 1999; ePort, 2003; Paulson, Paulson, & Meyer, 1991). Electronic portfolios encourage students to engage in self reflection by providing a broad range of means for expressing the total learning experience as linked to standards and learning outcomes (AAHE, 2001; Barett, 2004; ePort, 2003; Martell & Calderon, 2005; Popper, 2005). They are an effective form of assessment that encourages students and educators to examine skills that may not be otherwise accessed using traditional means such as higher order thinking, communications, and collaborative abilities (Buzzetto-More, 2006; Wright, 2004). Electronic portfolios can be created using tools ranging from off-the-shelf generic software applications to widely available systems. This paper will focus on the latter by investigating the eight most widely available systems and by providing a detailed examination of their platform features. A matrix has been provided that offers a side-by-side comparison of the platforms by a variety of features that include: learning outcomes, rubrics, storage, support, assessments, surveys, advisement, communication, collaboration, data collection/reporting, intended user, supporting file types, pricing structure, and accessibility.
Assessing for Competence Need Not Devalue Grades
Authors: Van Der Vyver Glen
Published: October 2017

Norm-based assessment is under fire from some quarters because it is often unfair and is out of touch with the demands of the job market. Criterion-referenced assessment is touted as the answer by others but problems remain, in particular with regards to the maintenance of standards. This study examines the use of competency-based assessment in an undergraduate database course. The findings suggest that it is possible to create an assessment instrument that is relevant to particular skills required in the job market but does not inflate grades across the board. A remarkable idiosyncrasy emerges in that the distribution of scores assumes a bi-polar shape with a significant number of high grades and a significant number of grades at the lowest passing level or failing grades.
The Cultural Impact of Information Systems - Through the Eyes of Hofstede - A Critical Journey
Authors: Jones Michael , Alony Irit
Published: October 2017

With the increasing levels of multiculturalism in today’s business and the proliferation and essentiality of information systems, development and management of IS needs to be considered in light of the cultural factors which impact upon its utility. Hofstede’s work on culture is the most widely cited in existence. His observations and analysis provide scholars and practitioners a valuable insight into the dynamics of cross-cultural relationships. However, such a groundbreaking body of work does not escape criticism. Hofstede has been dogged by academics discrediting his work in part or whole. Nonetheless, far more scholars exist who support Hofstede than those that don’t. Most quote Hofstede’s work with unabashed confidence, many including his findings as absolute assumptions. This paper takes a critical look at Hofstede’s work and applies his findings to the practical needs of information systems. The paper finds support for the dimensions promoted by Hofstede in regard to information systems, but recommends continued research to provide greater clarity and continued applicability of his espoused dimensions.
Applying and Evaluating Understanding-Oriented ICT User Training in Upper Secondary Education
Authors: Brodahl Cornelia , Fagernes Marit , Hadjerrouit Said
Published: October 2017

ICT training courses have recently undergone some important changes. These changes are made possible by new pedagogical approaches to ICT training. As a result, the focus has changed from memorizing, recall and reproduction of knowledge to conceptual understanding of the underlying software. One of these approaches is the Herskin’s understanding-oriented ICT training method. This paper assesses students’ learning when confronted with the task of implementing this method. More specifically, it addresses critical factors of success and potential obstacles when implementing the ICT training method in upper secondary schools. It also presents teacher students’ common misconceptions and simplifications when practicing the method for the first time. Finally, the article outlines a framework for rethinking ICT training within constructivist learning environments.
An Exploration of How a Technology-Facilitated Part-Complete Solution Method Supports the Learning of Computer Programming
Authors: Garner Stuart
Published: October 2017

This paper reports on the findings from a qualitative research study into the use of a technology-facilitated part-complete solution method (PCSM) that was used to support the learning of computer programming. The use of part-complete solutions to programming problems is one way in which the cognitive load that students experience during learning can be reduced. A code restructuring tool, CORT, was built to support the PCSM and an inquiry into its effectiveness took place over a period of 14 weeks at an Australian university. Results suggest that: the system provided strong scaffolding for student learning; students engaged well with the system and generally used a thoughtful and considered cognitive strategy; and the highest level of support was for student semantic difficulties, although there was also strong support for algorithmic and structural difficulties.
To TxT or Not to TxT: That's the Puzzle
Authors: Goh Tiong , Hooper Val
Published: October 2017

This paper describes the potential use of a SMS crossword puzzle system to promote interaction and learning activities in a large classroom environment. While personal response systems (PRS) have been used in the classroom environment to foster interaction, it is not an ideal tool with respect to cost and functionality. These limitations prompted the need for an alternative solution. A SMS crossword puzzle system was thus devised. The system consisted of two parts: modem software to interface with mobile phones and a database application to generate puzzles, track users’ input and display an updated puzzle view. A pilot evaluation was conducted with three main objectives in mind. First the evaluation intended to determine the motivational potential of the puzzle by assessing the significance of the factors which comprise the constructs of learner motivation. Second, the evaluation intended to identify any differences in motivational factors between a junior and a senior class. Finally, the evaluation intended to assess the potential of behavioral intention to use/play the SMS crossword puzzle in the future. The pilot evaluation also sought to identify areas for improvement and to prepare for future full scale evaluation of the SMS crossword puzzle system.
Experimenting with extreme Teaching Method - Assessing Students’ and Teachers’ Experiences
Authors: Vuokko Riikka , Berg Pia
Published: October 2017

During the course Implementation of Information Systems in Organizational Context we experimented with a reflexive and participative teaching method called eXtreme Teaching. This method proposes a consideration for values, such as respect, communication, feedback, courage, and simplicity, in teaching. We wanted to experiment with an informal teaching method to gain more interaction. During the course, an openly discursive atmosphere was achieved through careful planning and spontaneous performance. In this article, we propose an approach that successful learning experiences are not achieved only by the efforts of teachers but also by students’ active participation and interests towards the course issues.
An Integrative View of IS/IT and Organizational Resources and Capabilities
Authors: Araya Sergio , Chaparro Julian , Orero Alejandro , Andres Joglar Hernan
Published: October 2017

Different studies in the context of information systems and information technologies (IS/IT) support the idea that these resources may contribute to develop competitive advantages and to improve organizational performance. To accomplish such benefits, IS/IT resources must be combined with some other organizational elements. Although the necessary relationships are recognized in literature, integration of IS/IT resources and other organizational elements have not been theoretically developed. Based on the resource-based view of the firm, this paper proposes an integrated view of what we call “resources and capabilities associated to IS/IT”. Our approach is focused on all organizational resources and capabilities (within and without IS/IT area) that are related or are necessary to efficient and effective IS/IT development and utilization.
The Informing Sciences at a Crossroads: The Role of the Client
Authors: Gill Grandon , Bhattacherjee Anol
Published: October 2017

The essential elements of an informing system are a sender, a communications pathway, and a client. Academic informing systems, however, are best viewed as two interacting informing systems, one that informs clients of a discipline, one that informs clients of the institution. The paper proposes that the greater the degree of overlap between the clients of these two systems, the stronger the position of an individual discipline is likely to be. MIS is presented as an example of a disciplinary informing system that has ceased to inform external clients. This situation, it is argued, is likely to result in the discipline's downfall. The informing sciences transdiscipline itself is then examined using the same lens. While much younger than MIS, the paper argues that informing sciences needs to begin its search for clients in earnest. Building upon lessons learned from another transdiscipline, complex systems, a series of concrete recommendations are presented.
Finger Length Digit Ratio and Gender Differences in Sensation Seeking and Internet Self-Efficacy
Authors: Eachus Peter
Published: October 2017

Several studies have suggested a significant relationship between finger length and aspects of personality. In this study the ratio between second and fourth digit lengths, known as digit ratio, was correlated with sensation seeking and Internet self-efficacy. In addition the relationship between the fourth and fifth digits, i.e. the little finger and ring finger, and these two constructs was also examined. No significant relationship between sensation seeking and digit ratio was observed but, in males, significant correlations between digit ratio and Internet self-efficacy were found. The implications for IT education are discussed.
Using Personality Tests to Identify Potential ICT Entrepreneurs
Authors: Johnston Kevin , Andersen Barry , Davidge-Pitts Jennifer , Ostensen-Saunders Mark
Published: October 2017

Literature relating to personality and entrepreneurship has focused primarily on personality characteristics of traditional entrepreneurs. The focus of this study was on personality characteristics and temperaments of potential ICT entrepreneurs. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of personality characteristics as identifiers of potential ICT entrepreneurship. In order to meet this objective, the personality characteristics of the participants had to be determined. The Keirsey Temperament Sorter was used as a personality indicator, as it is a proven research instrument. Two entrepreneurial tests were used to determine entrepreneurial ability. The temperament of the individuals was ascertained, and compared to their entrepreneurial ability. The population sample used for this study was comprised of third year and honours information systems students from the University of Cape Town, and current ICT entrepreneurs. A positive relationship between the “Martian” temperaments and potential ICT entrepreneurs was found. No significant relationship between specific personality types and potential entrepreneurial ability were evident in the study. A positive connection was noticed between potential ICT entrepreneurs, and being male. Unfortunately the number of female respondents was insufficient, leading to an inconclusive result.
Developing a Business Simulation Game: Integrating Multiple Development Tools
Authors: Williams Robert , Klass Des
Published: October 2017

In most cases today information systems development involves the use of multiple development tools. The developer has the choice of many competing vendor tools to choose from, and the choices to be made are complex. Will the various tools work together, and which tool should be chosen for which task? This paper describes the development of a business simulation game, and the role various development tools played in the process. The reasons, and how the tools were used, are also discussed.
Towards a Methodology to Elicit Tacit Domain Knowledge from Users
Authors: Friedrich Wernher , Andrew van der Poll John
Published: October 2017

This paper seeks to address a problem ubiquitous in many software development environments today, namely, building software from requirements that are incomplete and not fully understood, thereby creating products that are either faulty or ultimately not being used at all. This gap that exists between software engineers and clients is highlighted in this paper and suggestions on how to overcome the identified gap are presented. The proposed methodology is to introduce developers into the client’s environment, which can be more time consuming and more resource intensive than traditional knowledge elicitation methods, but has the potential to satisfy more of a user’s needs in the long run. It also does not seek to replace any of the existing elicitation methods; rather it is complementary to knowledge elicitation techniques currently used by software engineers as well as to enhance current understanding of such processes.
Multi-Criteria Spatial Analysis of Building Layouts
Authors: Tawfik Hissam , Nagar Atulya , Fernando Terrence
Published: October 2017

This paper proposes a multi-criteria based approach for the analysis of building layouts, from space quality and cost related perspectives. A computational prototype is developed to analyse a building layout from various accessibility related measures in order to evaluate the quality of the building special layout. A case study is used to demonstrate the assessment of a building layout based on a range of criteria.
IT Control Objectives for Implementing the Public Finance Management Act in South Africa
Authors: Luyinda R. , Herselman M.E. , Botha G.H.K
Published: October 2017

This paper presents the proposed IT Control objectives for implementing the Public Finance Management Act of 1999 (PFMA) for the Republic of South Africa. The aspects covered in this paper show the main concerns of accounting officers in implementing the PFMA. The ability of IT Control Objectives for Information and related Technology (COBIT) to enable the participation of IT in the design and implementation of internal control over financial reporting for the PFMA is a major finding presented in this paper. However, this area of research is new and further studies to inform the responsibility of IT in facilitating the implementation of the PFMA need to be undertaken. This paper is a maiden effort in that direction.
Survival Mode: The Stresses and Strains of Computing Curricula Review
Authors: Tan Grace , Venables Anne
Published: October 2017

In an ideal world, review and changes to computing curricula should be driven solely by academic concerns for the needs of students. The process should be informed by industry accreditation processes and international best practice (Hurst et al., 2001). However, Australian computing curricular review is often driven by the need for financial viability of programs with declining student numbers as much as concerns for academic merit. Worldwide there remains a strong job market and high demand for computing professionals (Liu, 2007; Melymuka, 2006), which predicates an impending IT workforce shortage. However, computing programs currently do not attract students due to perceived problems of the inadequacy of courses to prepare students sufficiently to cope with the practical challenges in current technologies adoption, to acquire strong communication skills and business aptitude (Taft, 2007), to foster problem solving skills, and to find the relevance of program contents to specific occupations. Therefore, computing curricula wishing to attract students need to have specialized studies that are of industrial strength that are updated regularly to reflect the progress in the discipline (Finkelstein & Hafner, 2002; Lui, 2007). Yet the challenge for universities is to weigh this need against preparing students to be universal and lifelong learners.
Critical Skills for Computer Academicians - Course Proposal
Authors: Shaheen Muhammad , Ur Rehman Zahoor
Published: October 2017

The numbers of Computer Science professionals are rapidly increasing in Pakistan. Earlier revisions ofthe CS curriculum made by Higher Education Commission (EEC), Pakistan were based upon the critical skills needed for the professionals according to the demands of market. Unfortunately no effort was made to determine the critical skills needed for computer academicians. As part of the course development process for academicians, a study was conducted to determine the expected skills and knowledge required for these academicians. The academicians are divided into three main groups: Computer Programming instructors, Databases Instructors and Computer Networks instructors. These groups were made after the survey of demand from IT industry in Pakistan. It was concluded from the survey that More than 65% Computer professional jobs are required for the mentioned groups. An online survey tool (http://www.qnaire.netfirms.com) was developed to collect the data from respondents about the importance of various skills for computer science academicians. Ph.D professors, Ph.D Assistant Professors and Lecturers having Bachelors degree in Computer Science or relevant discipline are included in the list of respondents. The results indicate that the conceptual knowledge about three groups will be important with handsome emphasis on advanced applications. By applying principal component analysis and correlation analysis on the data collected by online survey the prominent factors were identified on the basis of which a course plan was developed. In coming years the better results will produce by the proposed curriculum.
Student Perceptions of Various E-Learning Components
Authors: Buzzetto-More Nicole
Published: October 2017

Learning that is facilitated by electronic technologies, otherwise known as e-Leaming, can be either fully online, mixed mode (also known as hybrid), or web assisted; however, regardless of the delivery method, there are numerous tools and features at the disposal of students and instructors, and it is important for the e-learning community to examine both preferences and usage of these features. This paper presents the findings of a comprehensive study that examined the elearning perceptions and preferences of students enrolled at a historically black university. During this study a series of courses were specially designed to be intensive hybrid learning experiences. The Blackboard CE 6 Course Management System was adopted and paper-less learning experiences created. The results of the analysis indicate that students find course Websites to be helpful resources that enhance the understanding of course content, and that these Websites will continue to have an impact on higher education in the future. The examination of individual e-learning components indicated that students responded favorably to most available features. The strongest preference noted in this study was towards the online submission of assignments, with students overwhelmingly noting that they like having the ability to check their assignment grades online.
Teaching in Virtual Worlds: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Kluge Stacy , Riley Elizabeth
Published: October 2017

How, where, when, and what we teach has been significantly influenced by technological innovation. Radio, television, and computers have all altered how information is presented and how students interact with that information. This paper describes how virtual worlds provide a mechanism to incorporate constructivist, experiential, and student-centered learning practices into the classroom. The authors also discuss the challenges and the benefits of using virtual worlds in education as well as some implications for the future of education.
Online Privacy Analysis and Hints for Its Improvement
Authors: Krunic Tanja , Ruzic-Dimitrijevic Ljiljana
Published: October 2017

The idea of the paper is to investigate how much the online user privacy is respected by website owners, and how online privacy can be improved. We first focus ourselves on issues like possibilities of misusing personal data, data collecting and user-tracking. Then we give a short report about legislation in the EU concerning user privacy. Some facts about user confidence are given as well. They are follows by a brief list of hints for the users to protect their personal data when surfing the Web. Then we give an overview of actions website owners should take in order to support user privacy. Finally, we present the results of our investigation of the condition of user privacy in practice, and give some suggestions on its improvement.
Does the Customer Know Best? The Results of a Survey on E-Commerce Development
Authors: Terry Julian
Published: October 2017

This study surveys forty four project leaders of recently completed e-commerce sites regarding customer participation in e-commerce development activities. Throughout the literature for four decades, a commonly cited factor pertaining to system success has been user participation in the systems development process. The business need for a rewarding customer experience on an e-commerce site would suggest customer input would substantially influence the site design. The study finds that participation by customers in developmental activities is occurring, but at a less than anticipated rate and resulting in little influence on the design of the site.
Proposal of an Instructional Design for Teaching the Requirement Process for Designing Information Systems
Authors: Kato Yuka , Namba Yukio
Published: October 2017

Both industry and education struggle to foster the development of human resources who can manage and design information systems at an advanced level. Human resources, particularly within the field of business modeling, must develop the competency to conduct business in the real world. Determining how to foster competent human resources is an urgent and important issue for all educational programs but especially for professional graduate school programs in information systems. This paper presents the results of our analysis of a seminar aimed at teaching the conceptual data modeling needed for developing a business structure in the real world. The authors discuss the effectiveness and implications of applying this method to gain comprehension ofthe objective business domain and acquire skills derived though the learning process.
Designing Digital Portfolios for Technology Support Students
Authors: Ali Azad
Published: October 2017

Technology education faces multiple challenges in the new millennium. In light of an increasing, overlapping and widening spectrum of technological fields of study, it has become imperative for students to be able to articulate their course of study and for technology departments to be able to assess the intended outcome of their program of study. The traditional approach of teaching one course at a time and assessing independently does not fully accomplish the requirements that educational regulations are mandating. Thus, a new direction is required in teaching the students how to articulate their education and for the academic departments to be able to provide assessment tools for measuring the cumulative performance of their students. This study describes the preliminary experience of one technology department in introducing digital portfolio as a requirement for their students. The Technology Support and Training (TST) program - Eberly College of Business and Information Technology (ECOBIT) at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) now requires students to prepare a digital portfolio during their capstone course. This paper explains the steps that this department has taken to implement using digital portfolio as a requirement for their graduating students. While this work is at the earliest stages, the author of this paper acknowledges that more work needs to be done in order to further implement the requirement of the digital portfolio for their students. Thus, the authors plan another study that further tackles the issues highlighted in this paper.