bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
E-Collaboration System Designed to Improve Learning Processes
Authors: Abramowicz Witold , Kaczmarek Tomasz , Kowalkiewicz Marek
Published: October 2017

Nowadays, universities are challenged by changing students’ requirements, demanding labor market and fast pace environment. The evolution of communication technology allows us to deal with these problems. Advances in e collaboration are crucial to modern learning process, as it prepares students to work in groups over tasks. In this article we propose comprehensive basis for e collaboration platform which has been developed during successful implementation of e collaboration solution in Department of Management Information Systems at The Poznan University of Economics. The solution utilizes state-of-the-art web portal technology and digital assets management system to provide consistent, common platform for system users to work, communicate, and share knowledge. As opposed to e learning solutions, which are designed to provide environment for distant learning, e collaboration aims at sup-porting groupwork, communication, and is rather task oriented. Therefore it is well suited for specific didactic processes in the Department. The implementation took place during two-week summer apprenticeship of 23 students in July 2002.
Problem Based Group Learning in IT in Higher Education: Reflection and Experiences
Authors: Hobson Elizabeth , Joham Carmen
Published: October 2017

This paper describes a number of issues that have arisen using some of the current methods for forming groups for collaborative group projects and how group interactions and group learning support student progress and development. The use of group projects prepares students for the workplace of tomorrow where they will encounter having to collaborate in teams. Firstly, the paper discusses the importance of IT subjects in universities, specifically addressing the importance of computer literacy among students. The paper then draws on the instructors’ reflections on field work undertaken when delivering a number of courses and introduces, in a narrative style, some crucial indicators (key factors) which impact on group work within IT education. A number of preliminary suggestions addressing group work learning in the early stages of forming the group will be discussed. Furthermore, some of the students’ views (that is, concerns) and specific experiences will be described to highlight the importance of group learning.
Technological Problems Associated with Subcutaneous Microchips for Human Identification (SMHI)
Authors: Covacio Silvia
Published: October 2017

Past technological developments have encouraged visionary information systems and created fresh linkages that transcend disciplinary boundaries. For example, the long-term research of animal identification technology has paved the way for the instigation and possible widespread implementation of SMHId. Unfortunately, the SMHId system does not come without its own social problems requiring a proactive approach. One such problem under scrutiny is the upsurge of satellite communication technology using microwave radio frequency and related technological gadgets. Past and current research of microwave radiation indicates there are detrimental effects for the environment and humans. If an open environment SMHId configuration is instigated and utilizes global positioning system (GPS) satellite technology, the increase in health problems will consequentially increase pressure on health services already under economic duress.
Embedding the Graduate Quality ‘Collaborative Working’ into the Curriculum through Reflective Learning
Authors: Monday Ann
Published: October 2017

Graduates of today are not only required to demonstrate academic competence and the ability to learn, they are also required to demonstrate a range of employment skills that will enable them to make the transition from university to work. This paper explores reflective learning as an approach to embedding the graduate quality of collaborative working into an undergraduate bus iness course. It explores a range of activities used and reports on the results of the approach to date.
Challenges Posed by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for South African Higher Education Institutions
Authors: Herselman ME , Hay HR
Published: October 2017

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are the major driving forces of globalised and knowledge-based societies of a new world era. They will have a profound impact on teaching and learning for two decades to come. The revolutionary change which is taking place in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), has dramatic effects on the way universities carry out their functions of teaching, learning and research, particularly on the creation, dissemination and application of knowledge. These developments pose unprecedented challenges to higher education institutions (HEIs) in developing countries particular in South Africa as South Africa is viewed as the leading country on the continent.
The Archaeologist Undeceived
Authors: Sturges Paul , Griffin Anne
Published: October 2017

The amount of unreliable information and actual misinformation available via the Internet makes its use problematic for academic purposes, particularly in a data-intensive discipline such as archaeology. Whilst there are many sources for reviews of websites, few apply the type of criteria most appropriate to archaeology. Information and library professionals have developed sets of criteria that can be adapted for the evaluation of archaeological websites. An evaluative tool for archaeological websites, using al-ready-available criteria, was developed and tested on twenty archaeological web sites. It proved capable of allowing its user to make clear distinctions between sites on the basis of quality. Further refining of the evaluative tool is possible on the basis of testing by both archaeologists and information professionals.
Toward an Actionable Framework of Knowledge Synthesis in the Pursuit of Learning Organization
Authors: Hou Vat Kam
Published: October 2017

This paper investigates the idea of knowledge work appropriate to the context of organization transformation. Specifically, we describe an actionable framework of knowledge synthesis, which accommodates the shift of information system (IS) support from automating to informating to knowledging. Our discussion intends to clarify the ideal of a learning organization which is designed to help transfer learning from individuals to a group, provide for organizational renewal, keep an open attitude to the outside world, and support a commitment to knowledge. The paper deals with the classification of knowledge tasks and its relation to organizational design. We elaborate the issue of knowledge characterizations that help structure and facilitate knowledge interconnectivity, through the exposition of the information continuum. We also describe the spiral approach of knowledge creation in terms of different modes of knowledge conversion, realizable in any of the contemporary organizations. Finally, we conclude by reiterating the various challenges of creating a communal knowledge space within the working of a learning organization.
Organizational Members’ Enactment of Organizational Environments and Media Use: A Study of ICT Practices in Norway and the United States
Authors: Steinar Saetre Alf , Oddvar Soernes Jan , D. Browning Larry , Stephens Keri
Published: October 2017

This paper uses the concept of scripts to couple Weick’s notion of enactment and Langer’s theory of mindfulness/mindlessness with empirical data on the use of ICTs in organizations. Our research is based on 72 in-depth interviews of advanced ICT users in the United States and in Norway. The findings: (1) show that the notion of clear-cut boundaries between an organization and its “environment” is problematic, and illustrate how organizational members indeed enact—or co-create—the environments of their organizations; (2) validate the assertion that mindfulness is required for media richness theory to be predictive; and (3) illustrate how organizational members construct the richness of one media through the use of other media. This study not only enriches our understanding of Weick’s theories but also has important implications for organizational practice since it expands media richness and social-information-processing theories.
Is it Ethical to Log Users’ Actions in Software Engineering Experiments?
Authors: Karahasanovic Amela
Published: October 2017

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of empirical studies in software engineering that involve human participants. Such studies have heightened the need for considering ethical issues. Researchers have not only moral, but also pragmatic, reasons for treating participants in their studies ethically. They want to maintain their access to the data source and to get funding for their research. Thus, the researchers need to be aware of both ethical issues in general, and those that are specific to a particular research practice. This paper briefly describes our experiences with a tool that logs all actions of the users/participants (commands, keystrokes and mouse movements), and collects their comments on a web-based screen. The tool was used in two usability studies and raised ethical issues concerning the assurance of confidentiality and minimization of inconvenience. The paper also discusses a conflict that appeared during these studies, between ethical standards and the ensuring of experimental validity.
Misinforming, Misunderstanding Misconceptions: What Informing Science Can Do
Authors: Cartelli Antonio
Published: October 2017

First of all a survey of the most relevant definitions and hypotheses concerning data, information, communication and knowledge is proposed. Main aim of this introduction is to give to the reader a reference frame for the analysis of the students’ learning and for their knowledge construction works. Soon after some wrong ideas are analyzed with respect to the above conceptual frame, i.e. with respect to didactic communication, to human knowledge construction and to individual cleverness in the use of the concepts pertaining to specific disciplinary fields. At last some considerations on the above results are reported and some hints and suggestions for a revision of the Informing Science definition are proposed; all is done in a perspective that assigns to Informing Science a trans-disciplinary function that helps well-established disciplines like Didactics, Psychology, Philosophy etc. to find new strategies for the analysis of the teaching-learning process.
Literature Review: Communication Infrastructure and Wireless Communication in Estonia
Authors: Leahy Kimberley
Published: October 2017

Telecommunications is one of the fastest growing markets in Estonia. Of the three Baltic States, research has shown that Estonia, while the smallest, has made by far the most successful foray into the wireless communication arena. Economic and public policy within the former Soviet Union had left Balkan communication infrastructure in disarray, and liberalization of the Estonian telecom sector was necessary for the country’s bid for EU membership. This paper will discuss the literature addressing Estonia’s leap into twenty-first century communication technology, with its savvy bypass of obsolete communication infrastructure paradigms inherited from the former Soviet Union.
Teaching Introduction to Programming as Part of the IS Component of the Business Curriculum
Authors: Roussev Boris
Published: October 2017

Modern software practices call for the active involvement of business people in the software process. Therefore, programming has become an indispensable part of the IS component of the core curriculum at business schools. In this paper, we present a model-based approach to teaching introduction to programming to general business students. The underpinnings of the new approach are modeling, abstraction, and Bloom's classification of cognitive skills. We employ models to introduce the basic programming constructs and their semantics. To this end, we use statecharts to model object's state, the environment model of evaluation as a virtual machine interpreting the programs written in JavaScript, and UML class diagrams to represent the static structure of the designed software systems. The adoption of this approach helps learners build a sound mental model of the notion of computation process. Learners' achievements, student evaluations, and our subjective opinion suggest that the proposed ideas improve the course significantly.
Securing Security through Education
Authors: Neville Karen , Powell Philip
Published: October 2017

Traditionally security has been the pervasive factor in organizational growth but its importance has surpassed that of any other issue in retaining a competitive advantage. Security is, therefore, of paramount importance in the retention of organizational innovation. The key in building a secure environment lies in an organizations ability to react to changing threats both from within and external to the case. The objective of security is to protect corporate knowledge as well that of the tangible asset. It is ironic that to secure knowledge the organization must expand its knowledge of security. To this end universities are currently striving to produce educational programmes to meet industrial demand for this core requirement. The amalgamation of theoretical research and industrial practice in Third level programmes is vital to ensure ongoing industrial support for academia. To this end the case under investigation strives to produce IT graduates with the ability to utilize theoretical knowledge, particularly of security, in a practitioners domain. The construction and implementation of any course is very much emergent, given the unique institutional nature of academic programmes. This paper conducts an analysis of an approach in delivering practical, as well as theoretical, knowledge of security, using a unique project to enable the learners to utilize the theoretical knowledge gained through the classroom.
Looking for Ishi: Insurgent Movements through the Yahi Landscape
Authors: August Christopher
Published: October 2017

In 1911 a Yahi man wandered out of the Northern California landscape and into the twentieth century. He was immediately collected and installed at the just opened Anthropology Museum by Alfred Kroeber at the University of California's Parnassus Heights campus. Dedication invitations came from the U.C. Regents led by Phoebe Apperson Hearst. Maintaining the discretion of his indigenous culture this man would not divulge his name. Kroeber named him Ishi, the Yahi word for man. These assembled facts introduce narrative streams that continue to unfold around us. To examine these contingent individuals, events and institutions collectively labeled Ishi myth is to examine our own position, our horizon. Looking for Ishi is a series of interventions and appropriations of Ishi myth involving video installation, looping DVD, encrypted motion images, web work, streaming video, print objects, written and spoken word, and documentation of the author's own insurgent movements through the Yahi landscape. [The following is a summary of an art, writing, and media project in progress.]
Investigating the Status of Data Mining in Practice
Authors: Ying Wah Teh , Abu Bakar Zaitun
Published: October 2017

This paper is based on a survey carried out in the Malaysian environment. The paper starts with a definition of data warehouses, data mining and this is followed by a description of its current status in the Malaysian data mining environment. This is followed by a discussion on why data mining is a great challenge for an implementation in the Malaysian environment. Based on the feedback obtained from the respondents, a conclusion is drawn on the appropriateness of the data mining techniques in the Malaysian environment
The Use of Clusters to Build an ICT Industry
Authors: McGuire David
Published: October 2017

The potential in the Information and Computer Technology (ICT) sector to generate economic development and create pathways for a region into the Knowledge Economy (KE) has become widely accepted. Underpinning the theoretical understanding of what KE can offer has been the practical application of Porter’s competitive theory relating to industry cluster development. The increasing role of clusters in KE and a greater focus on regional growth is seen in the development of a variety of dedicated technology zones aiming to emulate the success of Silicon Valley in the United States, the site of the original modern IT cluster.
Digital Textbooks with Workbooks for Elementary and Secondary Education
Authors: Tezak Durdica
Published: October 2017

An interactive model of a digital textbook supplemented with a workbook has been designed. It represents the basis for the textbook on the CD-ROM related to the printed one. The digital textbook contains inner links, as well as outer links - access to the Internet resources. It is comes with worksheets for teaching, learning, self-learning and the knowledge testing. The contents of the worksheets includes at least with two main parts: (i) an education quiz which is intended for learning and self-learning, (ii) a knowledge quiz that verifies the acquired knowledge. The model can be filled in with teaching contents in all areas of science, humanities as well as in arts. In addition, each lecture in the textbook is provided with a comprehensive glossary and the literature references.
Panel on: Maintaining Identity in the Virtual World Virtual Fraud and Misinformation in the New Age: Revisiting Grice’s Cooperative Principle
Authors: Wang Hong , (Lucian) Lu Xin-An
Published: October 2017

Naturally, humans seek physical and psychological joy. Romance, for instance, is one of the means. People are making quick use of the Internet technology to facilitate their seeking of romantic and quasiromantic experience via “virtual reality.” In this paper we concern ourselves mainly with meaning generation and interpretation in the virtual world. With analysis of a reported case of online deception as empirical evidence, we question in the conditions and assumptions Grice based on for his theoretical proposition of the Cooperative Principle. Our research suggests that deception in online romance is hard to find out because the virtual reality does not provide sufficient conditions for generation of conversational implicatures as suggested by Grice’s Cooperative Principle.
Panel on: The Problems and Prospects of Teaching in the Digital Age Personally Authenticating the Digital Divide
Authors: (Lucian) Lu Xin-An , Wang Hong
Published: October 2017

Is technology equalizing or polarizing this world? The authors answer this question by personally authenticating the dramatic state of the digital divide via their own experience. First, the authors will define “digital divide. Second, justification will be given to the significance of the issue. Third, with citation of research literature, the authors will substantiate the gravity of digital divide in our world. Finally, adducing their own personal experience, the authors intend to clinch the point that the digital divide is not distant and impersonal, a concern of someone else, but close, real, and very personal. The authors’ multi-regional and multi-national experiences put them in a poised position to explore and reflect upon the issue of the digital divide.
E-mail and Misinformation: A South African Case Study
Authors: Pretorius Laurette , Barnard Andries
Published: October 2017

In this paper certain ethical and social issues, insights and lessons learnt surrounding the spread of misinformation resulting from a hoax e-mail sent in South Africa on September 11 2001, linking South Africans to the World Trade Center disaster in New York are considered. A case study, based on the South African newspaper press coverage that this incident received, is discussed. The factual contents are provided in the form a time line, followed by the grouping of stakeholders and a list of stakeholder comments of an ethical, a social or legal nature. Subsequently, various ethical perspectives are explored, different approaches to ethical analysis are employed and an ethical conclusion regarding this incident is reached. This is followed by a brief investigation of the perceived divergence of the ethical and legal perspectives. We conclude this paper by expressing the hope that this case study, and the analysis thereof, would assist South African computing instructors in sensitizing their students to computer ethics issues related to misinformation, the use of e-mail and the Internet.
Visions of a Wireless Future in Education Technology
Authors: Russell Gavin , Pitt Ian
Published: October 2017

This paper presents our research into the possibilities to wirelessly enhance classroom teaching in a university environment. We explore current technologies, both hardware and software, and propose a vision of future possibilities.
A Markov Decision Process Model for Traffic Prioritisation Provisioning
Authors: Gani Abdullah , Zakaria Omar , Badrul Anuar Jumaat Nor
Published: October 2017

This paper presents an application of Markov Decision Process (MDP) into the provision of traffic prioritisation in the best-effort networks. MDP was used because it is a standard, general formalism for modelling stochastic, sequential decision problems. The implementation of traffic prioritisation involves a series of decision making processes by which packets are marked and classified before being despatched to destinations. The application of MDP was driven by the objective of ensuring the higher priority packets are not delayed by the lower ones. The MDP is believed to be applicable in improving the traffic prioritisation arbitration.
Information Security Management: A Research Project
Authors: Pandya Pramod , Frazin Reza
Published: October 2017

In an environment of growing information security threats, it is essential to raise the awareness and capabilities of business students entering the workforce to mitigate threats to the enterprise networks. Information security has emerged as the most critical component of any data network. This paper describes a research project jointly undertaken by the author and an undergraduate student in Information Systems to explore some of the technical aspects of information security over the wired and wireless networks.
Instructional Design Tips for Virtually Teaching Practical Skills
Authors: Fenrich Peter
Published: October 2017

What can you do to virtually teach the hands-on skills traditionally taught in labs? If you include simulations, active experimentation, discovery-learning techniques, numerous questions with detailed feedback, video, animations, and photographs, you can effectively teach practical hands-on skills through multimedia technology. Through discussion and demonstration, this session will highlight practical tips for implementing the instructional development cycle as well as uncommon but effective instructional design strategies for teaching practical skills. Some of the highlighted programs (such as a virtual chemistry lab) have pushed the boundaries of what can be accomplished with multimedia technology. By the end of this interactive session, participants (who can range from novices to experts) should be able to identify computer-based training applications that effectively use multimedia technology, generate examples of where new media technology can be appropriately used to virtually teach hands-on skills, and decide where to incorporate the strategies shown into their computer-based training productions.
A Web Services-Oriented Approach to Unlock Information
Authors: Baghdadi Youcef
Published: October 2017

This work proposes to use Web services to turn information into actions by leveraging and unlocking the informational assets of an organization. Indeed, Web services allow cost-effective composition and re-engineering of business processes because of their ability to connect applications, systems, and organization partners through the Internet-based standards (XML, SOAP, UDDI). The work consists of developing a process to generate interfaces to the knowledge in terms of information an organization possesses. These interfaces, implemented as Web services, are callable through the Internet. The proposed process is based on a new concept called factual dependency. Factual dependencies allow aggregations of attributes describing business objects and coordination artifacts that are affected by the same business events. Each resulting aggregation leads to a lowest level of granularity Web services. These Web services are then registered in a private or public UDDI to be discovered and (re)used at request to compose or re-engineer any internal or external business process. Unlike the approaches and tools that generate, in a spontaneous way or on a case-by-case basis, Web services from the complex and redundant elements of the information system, the proposed process generates Web services for the business objects and coordination artifacts as identified at the highest abstraction level of a business model. Indeed, the elements of the highest abstraction level that is the universe of discourse are unique and not redundant. The uniqueness and non-redundancy allows a generation, in a top-down-incremental approach with fewer analysts’ intuition, of a comprehensive set of Web services reflecting the actual and the potential activities of the organization.
The Human-Computer Interaction Gearing Up for Work
Authors: McKay Elspeth , Thomas Trang , Martin Jenny
Published: October 2017

Looking for work is complex. It involves a synthesis of decisions relating to many separate jobseeking tasks, requiring discrimination of how an individual’s skills match the job description, whether the salary offered is acceptable, location of the work and the logistics of arranging suitable transport. These job-seeking tasks are even more difficult for the disabled, and despite the Web Access Initiative (WAI), there are no Web-enabled work searching systems designed as vocational rehabilitation tools. An opportunity exists among the educational technologists to devise a customizable learning platform that can supply a much needed life-long learning resource. It is becoming increasingly obvious that a range of computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) systems may provide a ubiquitous approach to fulfilling the desire for reskilling the general population. This paper describes a research project in progress, designed to provide an interactive Web-enabled work searching resource for those undergoing vocational rehabilitation.
Technology and Marginalization: A Case Study of the Limited Adoption of the Intranet at a State-owned Organization in Rural Australia
Authors: Weerakkody Niranjala
Published: October 2017

Taking a critical theory approach and the pluralist view of technology, this paper examines the problems in organizational communication that arose due to the implementation of a limited intranet electronic mail system as the main channel of communication between a rural state-owned organization and its city-based Head Office, installed at the sole discretion of the latter. The intranet was provided only to the administration division and managers of some units due to financial constraints. This required others to receive information carried via the intranet through a gatekeeper who due to information and work overload, failed to disseminate the information effectively and efficiently. Using a combination of qualitative data collection methods, this study found that the intranet had marginalized those without access to it and reinforced the privileged position of those already with higher status within the organization, contrary to the utopian predictions of new technologies as leading to social equality.
Challenge or Chaos: A Discourse Analysis of W omen’s Perceptions of the Culture of Change in the IT Industry
Authors: Nielsen Sue , von Hellens Liisa , Beekhuyzen Jenine
Published: October 2017

An ongoing investigation into the declining participation of women in IT education and professional level work has recently focused on professional women’s perceptions of the IT industry. This paper presents some of the findings from a discourse analysis of interviews with thirty-two female and two male IT professionals. The analysis identified a distinctive characteristic of the women’s discourse in the representation of mutually exclusive attributes, skills and attitudes as closely identified with gender. This paper explores two of these dualisms - women’s perceptions of the rapid and continuous change characteristic of the IT industry and the dualism of the public (work) and private (domestic) spheres. The implications of rapid change and the concomitant long working hours characteristic of the IT industry, are discussed in relation to women’s continued responsibility for social and domestic life. Discourse analysis is used to identify contradictions in the women’s talk and to relate this to tensions in the IT industry and the wider social context. Although these women characterise themselves as ‘different’ from most women, in their skills, aptitudes and attitudes towards IT, this characterisation shows tensions and contradictions. The authors use Giddens’ perspective on identity formation and the structuration of institutions (Giddens, 1984; 1991) to identify factors, which may further discourage women from participating in IT education and work.
Development and Validation of an Instrument for Assessing Users’ Views about the Usability of Digital Libraries
Authors: Koohang Alex
Published: October 2017

This paper attempted to develop and validate an instrument that measures users’ views about the usability of digital libraries. Users’ views toward the usability of digital libraries may serve as the major conduit to user acceptance and satisfaction, thus promoting positive learning experiences. The instrument, digital library usability, consisted of 12 items that described usability properties of digital libraries. The content validity of the instrument was determined by a panel of experts. The instrument was administered to 293 subjects. The construct validity was determined by conducting a set of statistical procedures, including a principal component analysis. The results revealed a single component solution that assessed one particular trait. All items of the instrument achieved high loading values indicating that each item contributed to the assessment of the single component that accounted for a high variation among the items. The internal consistency (Cron-bach alpha) was .96. These results suggest that the digital library usability instrument is a valid and reliable instrument that can measure users’ views about the usability of digital libraries. This instrument can be the basis for future research regarding users’ views toward the usability of digital libraries.
Manufacturing Organizational Memory: Logged Conversation Thread
Authors: Kotani Masafumi
Published: October 2017

Though not especially media-rich, mailing lists remain in use and retain popularity for their built-in technological controls and their capability to “reply” to a message (“continuing a thread”). The motivation for extracting knowledge fragments from the unstructured text of mailing lists is compelling, though successes doing so may be considered only partial because it requires mental processing, or a certain cognitive effort, that complicates automation. Cognitive psychology distinguishes the Long Term Memory (LTM), which may be compared to text thread storage, from the Working Memory (WM), which initiates the retrieval of knowledge fragments stored in the LTM. Searching by subject, date, and time stamp ranges, and by keyword-inclusive fragments, constitutes the commonly used methods for executing sequential LTM retrieval. Retrieval can, however, be greatly enhanced by automatically gleaning certain classes of threads from the entire structure and displaying them alongside other properties. Here, we describe automatic “class” extraction and its effect on OM manufacturing and LTM retrieval.
The SWIMS CD-ROM Pilot: Using Community Development Principles and Technologies of the Information Society to Address Identified
Authors: Teghe Daniel , A. Knight Bruce , Knight Cecily
Published: October 2017

In this paper we describe a pilot project to develop and assess the potential of CD-ROM based resources to address the identified informational needs of a community of education professionals. We focus on the development process, although we also briefly describe the project evaluation and its results. The context in which the pilot was developed and implemented was the Social Well-being in Mackay Schools Program, in which a model was being developed to address issues of young people presenting ‘at risk’ within educational settings. The development and distribution of the CD-ROM was not an easy or straightforward task, requiring extensive research and community consultation. It also required drawing on theoretical and methodological insights from across disciplines (especially from Community Development and Education) to develop a contextually relevant understanding of the factors affecting the informational needs of the community, and of the ways in which the process of addressing these needs might lead to the empowerment of its members. The ease with which the relevant technologies were accessed and used by researchers and community workers who possessed no formal or advanced training in the use of ICTs indicated that the ‘new’ technologies can readily complement and assist in community development, thus giving impetus to the thesis that new forms of empowerment are possible because of the advent of the Information Society.
Project-Based Learning in Online Postgraduate Education
Authors: Matejka Des
Published: October 2017

The Faculty of Education at Australian Catholic University offers an online postgraduate course that focuses on the use of e-learning tools to facilitate changes in thinking, teaching and learning. It incorporates project-based learning techniques that require participants to learn how to apply selected ICT and e-learning tools to improve learning within their workplace. This has been based upon ongoing evaluations to determine ways in which experience with information and communications technology (ICT) and e-learning tools bring about a change of perspectives about their own teaching. Through identifying factors that inhibit, as well as promote their learning, the program focuses upon learning about ICT and e-learning tools to inform participants about their own teaching. This paper discusses how the implementation of an online postgraduate course has helped to facilitate a problem-based approach that provides a social construction for learning, by allowing the sharing of resources, discussion of approaches about implementation issues and the showcasing of final student projects.
A Single Case Study Approach to Teaching: Effects on Learning and Understanding
Authors: Jewels Tony , Ford Marilyn
Published: October 2017

In the choice of a pedagogy for a new unit on IT project management, an innovative single case study approach was chosen, in the hope of providing a ‘virtual environment’ in which students could embed themselves. By providing a single, rich, descriptive project environment for students, it was hoped that they would become deeply involved in the case and thus adopt a deeper approach to learning and subsequently a greater understanding of the theoretical constructs covered in the unit. The pedagogy chosen is being evaluated and where necessary revised in what can be described as an action learning approach. Following an initial evaluation of the learning approaches adopted by students, revisions were made to the pedagogy. This paper discusses the findings from two subsequent offerings of the unit.
Returning the ‘I’ in the ‘IT’ Education of MScIS/MBA Professionals
Authors: Baloh Peter
Published: October 2017

To succeed in the global marketplace, companies must reposition themselves to tap the sources of sustainable growth. After failing to connect information technology investments with business performance, successful senior managers today know that ‘effective use of information’ does not equal merely a new IT solution. Instead, business performance can only be improved with an excellence at using information proactively, sensing and processing information appropriately, and deploying IT for management support. The knowledge workers, on whom every company depends since the success depends on how fast they utilize proper information, should be the focus of information use in organizations. The paper presents three information capabilities that form information orientation, a high-level idea of senior managers, which embraces expectations of the business community regarding business-information systems professionals. Based on that presentation, a framework of topics for MScIS/MBA educational programs is developed. Findings can serve as a guideline when building, revising and endorsing contemporary and relevant curricula for mentioned programs.
Web ACE - A Study in Reciprocal Informing
Authors: Miliszewska Iwona , Tan Grace
Published: October 2017

A Computer Science degree includes a compulsory final year Project subject. The Project involves the design and implementation of a real-life computer application for a client, and gives students an opportunity to work in a setting emulating a real-life information technology environment. Students undertake the Project subject together with its co-requisite subject in English Language and Communication. The English subject focuses on consolidating written and oral communication skills such as compilation of technical reports, and delivery of oral presentations - skills directly relevant to the Project. This paper reports on a unique Project experience where a group of students developed a Web based system for ‘special’ clients - their English lecturers. The paper discusses the rationale for the project, its details and benefits. It highlights the relationship between the Project students and the English lecturers and the dual roles of informers and clients, that each of the parties played in the process.
A Framework for Student Assessment using Applied Simulation
Authors: Richardson Tony
Published: October 2017

There is an ongoing and vigorous debate in academia concerning the role of Universities in the education process and the relationship Universities have with industry. In the broad sense, should we (the Universities) be educating or should we be training? Not withstanding that debate, it seems undeniable that the study of Information Systems has been spawned from the need to understand both the theoretical and best practice approaches to the creation of computer-based applications. Just as in the undergraduate study of Law, Medicine or Aviation, so too a Bachelor of Information Systems degree without some assessment of acquired practical skills carries little currency in the job marketplace and reflects only a subset of the subject’s understanding.
Higher Education Course Content: Paper-Based Online or Hybrid Course Delivery?
Authors: Van Der Vyver Glen , Lane Michael
Published: October 2017

The emergence of the Internet has made many institutions involved in the delivery of distance education programs re-evaluate the course delivery framework. A variety of models and techniques co-exist in an often uneasy alliance at many such institutions. These range from the traditional distance learning model, which remains paper-based, to the purely online model. Recently, hybrid models have emerged which apparently attempt to forge elements taken from several models into a unified whole. Many of these hybrid models seek to eliminate paper-based materials from the tuition process. While many arguments are put forward about the efficacy of purely electronic delivery mechanisms, cost containment is often the driving motivation. This study explores student perceptions of the various delivery mechanisms for distance learning materials. In particular, it seeks to determine what value students place on paper-based delivery mechanisms. The study surveys a group of undergraduate students and a group of graduate students enrolled in the Faculty of Business at a large regional Australian university.
Integrating E-Learning Content into Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Curriculum
Authors: Hawking Paul , McCarthy Brendan
Published: October 2017

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems offer a software-based system that handles an enterprise’s total information system needs in an integrated fashion. Such systems have seen a significant growth in the last decade in the US, Europe and Australian markets and, more recently, increasing growth in Asian countries. This increase in demand for ERP systems in Asia offers opportunities for the provision of high-quality ERP education programs in the region. This paper describes the issues and barriers associated with integrating ERP systems into university curricula. It outlines the experiences of Victoria University in offering ERP education through a strategic alliance with SAP. The University is extending its offshore programs by offering ERP education in the region to take advantage of the current increase in demand in ERP applications. To assist with the delivery of offshore ERP education an ERP e-Learning model has been developed that integrates synchronous and asynchronous content. Asynchronous e-learning does not involve the presence of a teacher. Typically the learning content is located on a web server that students can access using the Internet. Synchronous e-learning requires the learner and teacher to be present in the event at the same time. It is a real-time, instructor-led online learning event in which all participants are available at the same time and can communicate directly with each other. The model uses four technologies to facilitate teaching: application service provision (ASP), web-CT, computer-based training and virtual classroom technology. The ERP e-learning model provides an innovative and efficient means to deliver ERP curriculum. It is able to provide greater flexibility in offshore subject delivery and to maximise student learning outcomes. This is particularly relevant in light of recent international medical (SARS) and terrorists incidents.
Teaching and Learning with BlueJ: Evaluation of a Pedagogical Tool
Authors: van Haaster Kelsey , Hagan Dianne
Published: October 2017

BlueJ is a programming environment that has been used to teach object-oriented introductory programming since 1999 in two consecutive first year units at Monash University. An earlier evaluation of its effectiveness in helping students to learn OO programming in the first unit was inconclusive, although most students who participated in the study believed that it did help them to learn Java. It was hoped at that time that students would show positive effects of using BlueJ more in the second unit than in the first. This paper reports on a later evaluation study, when the BlueJ environment had become more stable and easier to install. It examines the reactions and results of students in the second of the two units. It also introduces a set of criteria for evaluating environments designed for novice programmers.
What to Teach Business Students in MIS Courses about Data and Information
Authors: J. Gackowski Zbigniew
Published: October 2017

MIS textbooks on the market are overly technology laden, with oversimplified coverage of the fundamentals in general and in particular with regard to the role of data and information in business. This thought-provoking paper is born out of frustration with the disparity between what we already know on the subject and what actually is being offered to our students and clients. The first part of this paper examines of the most popular MIS textbooks and the empirical research on information quality, Besides four other referenced sources, two J. O’Brien’s textbooks: one with six editions (O’Brien, 2004) and another with 11 editions (O’Brien, 2003) are used as the main frames of reference. The book “Quality Information and Knowledge” by Huang, Lee, and Wang (1999) serves as a recognized research framework. It is a product of the Information Quality Programs & Initiatives at MIT - the so-called MITIQ Program. The second part of the paper contains suggestions what to teach business students on data and information.
Towards an Interactive Learning Environment for Object-Z
Authors: Mohanarajah Selvarajah , Kemp Ray , Kemp Elizabeth
Published: October 2017

We have been engaged in research towards designing a software system called LOZ for learning the object oriented formal specification notation Object-Z. Initially, we conducted a survey to analyse the effectiveness of traditional methodologies for learning Z notation. In LOZ, the semiformal model UML is used in the intermediate phase between informal textual description and formal Object-Z description. We also employ a refinement unit that produces code from the specification. Based on the cognitive apprenticeship approach, we employ a four-phase instructional model in our system. Persuading the learners to be partially responsible for their own model and allowing them to decide their own levels of control over the learning process are key features of our system.
Information Systems Development Methodologies and all that Jazz
Authors: Michalec Lukasz , A Banks David
Published: October 2017

This paper explores the relationships between jazz and the development of information systems. Similarities are drawn between music in general and information systems development methodologies and jazz is taken as a specific focus. The idea of music as an information system in its own right is outlined. As systems development methodologies move from formal approaches towards more ad hoc forms, the lessons that can be learned from jazz, such as improvisation and shared meaning, may become increasingly useful.
The Need for Training of Computer and Information Systems Managers
Authors: Treven Sonja
Published: October 2017

In the paper the author first presents the nature of work that is characteristic for computer and information systems managers. Then she turns her attention to the increasing need for those profile of personnel. The requirements for training and other qualifications of computer and information systems managers are discussed widely as well. In the end the author presents the activity of training and various methods that can be applied in the training process.
A Comparison of Learning and Teaching Styles - Self-Perception of IT Students
Authors: J Kovacic Zlatko
Published: October 2017

This paper presents the results of an empirical study of the learning styles of a group of computing students and the teaching styles of their tutors at The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand. This study of learning styles is based on Kolb’s learning model and the Felder-Soloman learning style instrument. To identify how close students’ learning styles match the teaching styles of their tutors we have used two indicators: the self-perception of the students about the proximity of their learning styles and the teaching styles of their tutors and a Euclidean distance measure between students’ and tutors’ learning preferences. Using survey data and the learning styles instrument results we identify the differences between the learning and teaching styles. Both indicators show consistent and significant differences between the learning and teaching styles, in the way students and their tutors perceive and understand information. Finally we make recommendation to tutors on how to bridge this gap and address the learning styles of their students.