This issue addresses both the 'hard' and the 'soft' sides of Information Systems Education. There is testing in a programming class and the use of Linux operating system demonstrations. Testing is an often glossed over skill in a programming course, discussed later in the curriculum, but not ever really done effectively. Having been a huge proponent of cooperative/peer learning, I was surprised to see the technique questioned in a database course, one that I teach frequently using these techniques. Have I been using an incorrect technique all this time? I also allow one page of notes during an exam? Helping or hurting my students?
Hybrid courses seem to become more popular. Are they more effective that pure distance learning? more effective that traditionally taught courses? What are the challenges compared to the two opposites? Are you encouraged to try one? One professor is claiming that Second Life will be the answer to some of these issues. I hope he submits a paper on his findings.
Last but not least there is an article on assessment. Anyone preparing for AACSB accreditation is struggling to find help in the definition of learning objectives, goals, assessing students - how and how many. I have been working on assessment for the entire undergrad curriculum, now must concentrate on the Information Systems part and really need some guidance. Basically, I do not know which to attempt first, the hybrid course or a different route in cooperative learning. However, the truth is that neither may get done due to the time needed for getting the assessment process in place. I remember that I became a professor to help students learn, and once that process is established it should help that lofty goal.
Enjoy!
Mary J. GrangerReturn to the Table of Contents