1. Critical Thinking through Writing in IS Courses James J. Pomykalski, PhD Assistant Professor of Information Systems Sigmund Weis School of Business Susquehanna University Selinsgrove, PA ISECON-2003 San Diego, CA November 8, 2003

2. © 2003, James J. Pomykalski, PhDSWSB—Susquehanna University2 Overview What is the Non-Technology Report (NTR) Motivation: IS 2003 Model Curriculum Critical Thinking Skills IS Courses in Business Program Writing-Intensive Courses NTR Usage in Courses –Courses –Topics –Grading –Examples (Recent) Conclusions and Future Work

3. © 2003, James J. Pomykalski, PhDSWSB—Susquehanna University3 Non-Technology Reports (NTR) Research/Writing Assignment Outcome: –Two-to-three page written paper summarizing findings Research –Find “related” articles (3-4) on a “non- technology” topic E.g., impact of data quality on decision making

4. © 2003, James J. Pomykalski, PhDSWSB—Susquehanna University4 IS 2003 Model Curriculum Work is in part motivated and supported by curriculum guidelines –Characteristics of IS profession IS Professionals must: –Have a broad business and real world perspective –Have strong analytical and critical thinking skills –Exhibit strong ethical principles and have good interpersonal skills –Have strong technological skills These assignments allow students to develop three of four

5. © 2003, James J. Pomykalski, PhDSWSB—Susquehanna University5 Critical Thinking Skills Key skills are research and writing Steps in the process 1.Students must find and evaluate articels for content realted to the topic 2.Students must produce an “integrated” summary of their findings 3.NTR is graded for content and writing

6. © 2003, James J. Pomykalski, PhDSWSB—Susquehanna University6 Business Foundation Every business major must complete 12 hours of IS courses –Using Computers (2 Hrs) –Using Databases (2 Hrs) –Systems Analysis & Design (2 Hrs) –E-Business Applications (4 Hrs) –Management Support Systems (2 Hrs)

7. © 2003, James J. Pomykalski, PhDSWSB—Susquehanna University7 Writing-Intensive Requirement All students at Susquehanna University must take at least eight hours of course work in “writing-intensive” courses University Requirements: –Assignment(s) that amount to 10 typed pages –Assignments graded for writing skills –Assignments must count for at least 25% of final grade

8. © 2003, James J. Pomykalski, PhDSWSB—Susquehanna University8 Business Courses Systems Analysis & Design –Sophomore level, required for all business majors –Focus on planning, analysis and design stages Management Support Systems –Senior level, required for all business majors –Focus on strategic issues and the application of Decision Support Systems

9. © 2003, James J. Pomykalski, PhDSWSB—Susquehanna University9 IS Courses Systems Development –Junior level, IS majors –Follow up to Systems Analysis & Design –Focus on design, implementation, and maintenance stages (Relational DB) Simulation Models –Junior level, IS majors –Focus on use of [simulation] models for process improvement –No NTR work (yet!)

10. © 2003, James J. Pomykalski, PhDSWSB—Susquehanna University10 NTR in Management Support Systems Origin of NTR –Since Spring 2002 Focus on managerial/organizational issues –Data Quality –End Users (training) –Ethics –Integration/use of data and applications –Leveraging IS for competitive advantage Very successful

11. © 2003, James J. Pomykalski, PhDSWSB—Susquehanna University11 NTR in Systems Analysis & Design Tried twice –Fall 2002 & Spring 2002 Focus on managerial/organizational issues –End Users (training) –Ethics –Use/misuse of ROI Limited success

12. © 2003, James J. Pomykalski, PhDSWSB—Susquehanna University12 NTR in Systems Development Tried twice –Spring 2002 & Spring 2003 Focus on managerial/organizational issues –End Users (training) –Ethics –Approaches/limits to systems development –Outsourcing Early success

13. © 2003, James J. Pomykalski, PhDSWSB—Susquehanna University13 My Supporting Role Courses are managed through Blackboard Course Management System Create a pages of external resources for finding articles –University subscribed on-line DBs –Popular Business/IT publications Computerworld, CIO magazine, Intelligent Enterprise, @Brint Spend time in early class period describing the resources

14. © 2003, James J. Pomykalski, PhDSWSB—Susquehanna University14 Grading 50% content; 50% writing Content –Completeness/Coverage (30%) –Correctness (20%) Writing –Focus chosen (10%) –Organization, Structure & Flow (15%) –Use of Resources (10%) –Grammar & Spelling (15%)

15. © 2003, James J. Pomykalski, PhDSWSB—Susquehanna University15 Examples Topic: Leveraging Information Resources (IR) –Role of knowledge workers –Comparative look at FedEx and UPS; Lowes and Home Depot –Role of KM in “Continuous Auditing” –Role of IR in Healthcare—Role of HIPAA –Value-added from Wireless Services

16. © 2003, James J. Pomykalski, PhDSWSB—Susquehanna University16 Conclusions Research and Writing are critical thinking activities that need to be exercised NTR has been an effective means to combine both

17. © 2003, James J. Pomykalski, PhDSWSB—Susquehanna University17 Future Work Continue to develop new topics for NTR Develop NTR assignments/topics for Simulation Models course Look for other opportunities to combine research and writing to help students develop necessary skills

18. © 2003, James J. Pomykalski, PhDSWSB—Susquehanna University18 The End Questions? Suggestions?