Acquiring conceptual data modeling skills

Abstract

Conceptual data modeling has been defined as a complex task for designers. This study draws from educational and psychological research in examining the training of novices in conceptual data modeling. Specifically, an experiment was conducted to determine the effects of self-efficacy and cooperative, team-based participation on complex data modeling skills. Subjects in the cooperative learning treatment did not perform significantly better on a conceptual data modeling task than those assigned to an individual-work treatment. This calls into question the value of using the cooperative learning approach for short-duration IS training. However, the data also showed that self-efficacy was significantly and positively related to skill acquisition. Self-efficacy, then, is an important consideration for improving achievement when teaching complex information systems development skills to IS novices.