Relevant resources for teaching and learning information systems design at higher education institutions

Abstract

One of the major obstacles facing project managers and information system designers is creating an appropriate environment to excel system design skills. Instructors in Information System Design (ISD) environments are responding to the increasing demands posed by time and complexity through investigating a variety of tools, system design methodologies and software technologies. The intention is to help students/information system designers to take more control over their own learning process and to demonstrate system design skills. The purpose of this article is to identify and discuss the relevant resources, which could enhance the teaching and learning processes necessary for ISD created through the Instructional Web Design Programme (IWDP) motivating the students to excel while trying to learn and understand concepts, and techniques that relate to information systems. This research was based on a qualitative, action-research approach where individual interviews, focus group interviews, observation and document analysis were used to gather data (Yin 1994; Merriam 1998). Seventeen students at an institution of higher education were observed and their experiences were investigated through a focus group interview, journals and essays. In addition, an interview with the lecturer was performed to investigate her thoughts and feelings during the implementation of the IWDP. The most important findings were: Available physical, human and financial resources and their components set a basis for creating an effective climate for teaching of information system design; the components embedded within the physical, human and financial resources assist students in obtaining an understanding of design procedures.