Integrating is Skills into the Business Curriculum: A Case Study

Abstract

While most students in business schools take a course that provides an introduction to computers and information systems, there is no guarantee that students who do not major in information systems will continue to exercise the computer skills gained in that course. This paper describes a program that seeks to increase the level of computer competency of all students including non-IS majors by integrating IS tools into core business courses. This program uses spreadsheet projects in the introductory marketing and finance courses to expand upon the computer skills learned in the introductory course. Students are required to complete three projects in each course that pertain to the subject matter in that course. To test how well the program is achieving the goals of improving computer competency, a survey was used to compare spreadsheet knowledge before and after completing the projects. The results of the survey showed that the students scored significantly higher on a ten question quiz after completing the projects than they did before completing the projects.