Resources for IS Degree Programs
From IS Curriculum
A capable faculty is the first required resource. In addition, computing, laboratory, classroom, and library resources are essential elements for a successful academic program in Information Systems (Gorgone and McGregor, 1989). In a rapidly changing technical environment, students should be exposed to a variety of up to date hardware and software systems that adequately represent the professional setting in which they will be employed.
Contents |
Faculty Requirements
Faculty members are vital to the strength of an Information Systems program. Its faculty needs both academic training and practical experience. There must be enough faculty to provide course offerings that allow the students to complete a degree in a timely manner. The interests and qualifications of the faculty must be sufficient not only to teach the courses but also to plan and modify the courses and curriculum.
Faculty members must remain current in the discipline. Professional development and scholarly activities are a joint obligation of the institution and the individual faculty member. The school should support continuing faculty development. Given the rapidly changing technology, it is particularly critical that faculty members have sufficient time for professional development and scholarly activities. Resources should be provided for faculty to regularly attend conferences, workshops, and seminars, and to participate in academic and professional organizations. The program is enhanced significantly when faculty acquire practical experience in the profession through activities such as consulting, sabbatical leaves, and industry exchange programs. Faculty must also be equipped to develop teaching materials for their students. Faculty must have available technology at least equivalent to and compatible with that available to students so that they may prepare educational materials for use by students. In addition, faculty must be connected to the Internet in order to have access to students and to the larger academic and professional community.
The number of full-time faculty needed by the program is influenced by such factors as the number of students in the program, the number of required courses, the number of service and elective courses offered, and the teaching load of the faculty. A program should have a minimum number of full-time faculty with primary commitment to the Information Systems program in order to meet the teaching and advising needs of the program and to provide depth and breadth of faculty expertise. Courses must be offered with sufficient frequency for students to complete the program in a timely manner. The professional competence of the faculty should span a range of interests in information systems including all core Information Systems topics and the elective topics that the institution has chosen for its program(s) in Information Systems. Additional faculty will be needed to teach the service courses that provide foundation-level knowledge across the campus.
Computing Infrastructure Requirements
Computing infrastructure consists of hardware, software, and technical support. Adequate computing facilities are essential for effective delivery of the IS program. These resources normally involve a blend of computer facilities of varying capabilities and complexity. This should include the most current networking and computing technologies.
Faculty and student majors will have their own systems, many with notebook computers. Network access should be available for faculty and students to use with their own computers. Students at different levels in the curriculum have different needs. Substantial resources must be provided to support the courses targeted to all students. More sophisticated resources are necessary for Information Systems minors and majors who are developing skills in computing and IS fundamentals. Specialized laboratories are needed for advanced students where group and individual projects are developed. Contemporary and emerging software development tools should be available to create the most current enterprise solutions.
Hardware and software are rapidly changing and improving. It is critical that faculty and students have access to facilities reflecting an environment that graduates will be expected to use professionally. All computing systems should be kept current. A plan should exist to continuously upgrade and/or replace software and equipment in a timely manner. The rate of change in technology suggests a rapid replacement cycle, with some technologies reaching obsolescence in less than 12 months.
In addition to software and hardware, it is paramount to the success of the program that adequate technical support must be provided. Modern computing infrastructure is highly complex requiring technically trained support staff to maintain the equipment. This is beyond the scope of faculty duties, a waste of precious faculty resources and often outside their individual expertise.
Laboratory Requirements
Programs in Information Systems require hardware and software for structured, open or public, and specialized laboratories. Students must have an opportunity to use learning materials in both structured and unstructured laboratories.
Students should be provided opportunities to work together on teamoriented projects. The group skills developed in this mode are critical to a successful information systems professional. Technological support, such as groupware, is expected for group and team activities.
All laboratories must have adequate technical support in terms of professional staff to provide for installation and maintenance of the equipment. The staff should be proficient in both the hardware and software applications. Complete documentation must also be available.
Laboratories should be able to support the following types of functions:
- Structured Laboratories: A structured laboratory is a closed, scheduled, supervised experience in which students complete specified exercises. An instructor who is qualified to provide necessary support and feedback to the students provides supervision. Exercises are designed to reinforce and complement the lecture material.
- Open/Public Laboratories: Student ownership of computers has continued to increase. However, laboratories remain essential for those students who do not own a computer and for providing additional resources not available on personal machines.
- Specialized Laboratories: Laboratory facilities are necessary to support team projects and special computing environments. Special facilities may be needed for systems development, network infrastructure, and other advanced technologies.
Classrooms
Suitable classroom facilities, equipped with information technology teaching resources, should be provided. A computing system with multimedia facilities is necessary for demonstrating the development, implementation, and application of information technology as well as conducting walkthroughs and making presentations. Classrooms should have access to the Internet and extranet networks, either with port per seat or wireless networking capabilities.
Library
Library support is an important part of an academic program. It is especially important for disciplines with rapid development of knowledge such as the Information Systems field. Libraries should provide both traditional and digital access wherever possible to journals, proceedings, monographs, and reference books. The holdings should include access to digital journals and proceedings of the computing professional societies.
