A First Attempt in Using Web-Based Support Tools to Create a Learning Community in the Introductory MIS Course

Abstract

Three years ago the College of Business redesigned its core curriculum and, as part of that redesign, replaced the existing information systems course. The previous course was a sophomore level course that combined software tools instruction and information systems concepts. The new information systems course is a junior/senior level course that eliminates the software tools component. This new Information Systems in Organizations course was designed to meet the following objectives: 1) incorporate the information systems concepts found in a typical introductory MIS class; 2) incorporate the concept of a learning community using individual and group projects, 3) require use of the Internet as well as library-based sources for research associated with projects, 4) create an environment in which students participating in the individual and group projects are directly responsible for their own learning, and 5) incorporate a strong Web-based educational component in the class to support the learning community.