1. Introducing a New Way to Revise and Maintain Undergraduate Information Systems Model Curricula Panel at AIS SIG-ED 2007 (12/9/2007)
Panelists:
Kate Kaiser, Marquette University
Janice Sipior, Villanova University
Heikki Topi, Bentley College
Joe Valacich, Washington State University

2. Agenda
Introductions
Background: Brief history of undergraduate model curricula in IS
Update on curriculum wiki
Encompassing the global perspective
Proposed core curriculum
Role of computing ontology in IS curriculum development
Conclusion

3. Background and Brief History
New initiative launched publicly at AMCIS 2007
The latest IS undergraduate model curriculum is IS 2002, published in early 2003
IS 2002 was a relatively minor update of IS’97
IS 2002 and IS’97 were both joint efforts by ACM, AIS, and DPMA/AITP
IS’97 was preceded by DPMA’90, and ACM Curriculum Recommendations 1983 and 1973

4. Motivation for the Revision
Time: IS’97 was the last significant undergraduate curriculum revision
Work done mostly in mid-1990s
Major contextual changes
Globally distributed development sourced through complex arrangements
Web technologies and approaches
Packaged software/ERP
Ubiquitous, mobile computing
Enrollment crisis in IS and computing in general
Need to clarify the identity of IS
Need to get the broader community involved

5. Discussion Questions
What factual information do we have about the changes in skills requirements for IS graduates?
Have the outcome expectations regarding the capabilities of IS graduates fundamentally changed since early 2000s?
Does the curriculum have anything to do with the enrollment crisis? More importantly, can we have an impact on enrollment with curriculum changes?

6. Update on Curriculum Wiki
New collaborative approach to curriculum development
Use of MediaWiki to create a platform for continuous sharing of work products and for open discussion
The environment has been available since August 2007; very little use outside the task force so far
Importance of formal governance structure
Importance of incentives
Importance of dedicated technical support

7. URL for the Wiki m

8. Discussion Questions
What incentive mechanisms can we create to increase public participation?
How can we make participation sustainable long-term?
What should we as a community do to increase the perceived value of curriculum development work?
Does the idea of a formal governance structure have any chance of succeeding?

9. Encompassing the Global Perspective
Need to recognize the global nature of the IS discipline and the wide variety of contexts in which IS curricula are offered
Addressing the needs of multiple regional systems
Encouraging global involvement in the process

10. Discussion Questions
What are the implications of moving towards a genuinely global curriculum?
How can we create a curriculum that encourages local innovation but provides a global structure?
Can a model curriculum be general enough to serve the entire world?

11. Proposed Core Topics Foundations and Role of Information Systems
Data & Information
Systems Analysis & Design
IT Infrastructure
Project Management
Application Development

12. Proposed Curriculum Structure

13. Discussion Questions
How stable do you expect the proposed core group of topics to be?
Do managerial topics get sufficient attention within the proposed core?
If a core is specified, should all IS programs give the same emphasis to all aspects of the core?
What does it mean to have a core if different career tracks interpret the core differently?

14. Issues related to the Information Systems Body of Knowledge
Most model curricula are based on a hierarchically structured body of knowledge (sometimes a foundation for the discipline)
IS Body of Knowledge was carefully developed for IS’97 but barely updated for IS 2002
Little work done since
Possibility to base the IS body of knowledge at least partially on the results of the computing ontology project (see Main/OntologyProject)

15. IS Core vs. Computing Ontology Mapping
Data & Information
Systems Analysis & Design
IT Infrastructure
Information Topics
Systems Development
Systems and Project Management
User Interface
Computing and Network Systems
Computer Hardware Organization
IS Core
Computing Ontology

16. IS Core vs. Computing Ontology Mapping
Project Management
Application Development
Systems and Project Management
Programming Fundamentals
Programming Languages
Systems Development
IS Core
Computing Ontology

17. Reminder: Mechanism for Maintaining the Wiki
The Task Force members are responsible for editing curriculum content pages
The “Discussion” tab is available on each page for comments by all registered members of the wiki
Any structural changes will be made by the Task Force members
It is our intent to establish an editorial structure for the wiki after this initial development period

19. “Discussion” Tab

20. How Can You Contribute?
All members of the IS community are encouraged to participate actively in the discussion on the wiki
You are able to review and comment on any aspect of the curriculum recommendation
You can also contact the curriculum task force co-chairs Heikki Topi and Joe Valacich directly and give your feedback to them
Tell about the project to as many colleagues of yours as possible

21. Thank you!!