Abstract
This paper describes the design and evaluation of an ERP system design course, which utilizes experiential learning theory along with open ERP sys-tem to provide the students with a holistic and cost-free learning environ-ment. The objective of the course is to familiarize students with the ERP se-lection and implementation life-cycle. When designing the pedagogical framework, the goal was to help students, especially those with little to no working experience to acquire the necessary knowledge, and develop the practical technical experience. Additionally, it was necessary to help students appreciate the depth and issues involved in the ERP system selection and implementation life-cycle. Lectures, case discussions, system demos with interactive labs, and group projects were used all together to enable in depth learning of the proposed topics. We focus on open source ERP system to provide the students with the required hands-on experience, and also to demonstrate that such approach can be utilized even by low resource universities. This paper includes details of the proposed framework. The proposed framework was taught and evaluated in a 1-semester graduate level course at the university of Jeddah, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The course design was in-directly assessed using a survey, and the results revealed the positive impact that the proposed framework had on students’ learning outcomes. The results of the assessment support that experiential based learning using open source ERP systems can lead to improved learning outcome.
Highlights
The importance and benefit of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are no longer associated with large enterprises only
This paper describes our experience in utilizing an open-source ERP system, Odoo, in an ERP system design course curriculum
Systems are used as a tool for students to learn business processes, and simulations are used to provide dynamic learning environments. These studies differ from our study's main objective as our goal is to focus on the ERP design and implementation phase while exposing students to the main functional areas of ERP systems
Summary
The importance and benefit of ERP systems are no longer associated with large enterprises only. The high cost of deployment is often the main reason that prevents SMEs from adopting ERP systems. This same reason prevents most educational institutions from incorporating hands-on technical aspects of ERP systems in their curriculum. Major commercial ERP systems provide an educational license, the cost is still high, especially when considering that such a system will only be used in a handful of courses. The importance of teaching the technical aspects of ERP and the associated high cost led many researchers to suggest the utilization of open-source ERP systems in education [1, 2]. Kolb's experiential learning theory describes the learning process as a cycle of four phases: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET)
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
