Albert L. Harris

The Efficacy of Case Method Teaching in an Online Asynchronous Learning Environment

Case method teaching is a method of instruction that can improve the cognitive learning process. This method is used extensively in face-to-face classes. However, when it is applied to a distance education class in an online asynchronous environment, learning outcomes may differ. This article reports on a study that compares the use of case method teaching in face-toface and online asynchronous environments. Four hypotheses on student performance were proposed. Correlation analysis supported all of the hypotheses. Other interesting findings regarding online learning also were reported as a result of the data analysis. Overall, an online asynchronous environment can promote students’ participation in certain cases; however, cognitive learning gains do not seem to be as high as in the face-to-face environment. With distance education becoming more prevalent, this is a rich area for future research.

Effects of computer system components on the price of notebook computers

Abstract Several studies have been conducted to quantify the relationship between price and power of computer systems. Among the earliest and well known is that of Grosch, which dealt with mainframes. Recently, authors have made similar studies for desktop computers. However, some of the latest technology is in notebook computers. They are becoming more powerful, while size, weight, and prices continue to drop, and they are becoming one of the fastest growing segments of the computer market. This paper develops a model that identifies the computer characteristics that most significantly influence their price. The model can be utilized to perform price comparisons and in purchasing decisions for managers buying notebook computers.

Differential Impacts of Social Presence on the Behavior Modeling Approach

The continued and increasing use of online asynchronous learning (OAL) environments for training raises the question whether and to what extent behavior modeling, the most effective training method in live instruction, will prove to be effective in OAL environments. This article analyzes the effect of applying behavior modeling training in an OAL environment. Behavior modeling training can be delivered in three modes: face-to-face, videotaped, and scripted. Each behavior modeling mode expresses social presence to a different degree, which could impact both learning performance and the willingness of students to take online asynchronous training. This study reports on the effect of behavior modeling mode on these variables in an OAL environment. Nine hypotheses were proposed. Four hypotheses were supported and five were not. This research found that the face-to-face environment is not significantly more effective than an OAL environment.

Learning by doing: Twenty successful active learning exercises for information systems courses

Aim/Purpose This paper provides a review of previously published work related to active learning in information systems (IS) courses. Background There are a rising number of strategies in higher education that offer promise in regards to getting students’ attention and helping them learn, such as flipped classrooms and offering courses online. These learning strategies are part of the pedagogical technique known as active learning. Active learning is a strategy that became popular in the early 1990s and has proven itself as a valid tool for helping students to be engaged with learning. Methodology This work follows a systematic method for identifying and coding previous research based on an aspect of interest. The authors identified and assessed research through a search of ABI/Inform scholarly journal abstracts and keywords, as well as additional research databases, using the search terms “active learning” and “information systems” from 2000 through June 2016. Contribution This synthesis of active learning exercises provides guidance for information technology faculty looking to implement active learning strategies in their classroom by demonstrating how IS faculty might begin to introduce more active learning techniques in their teaching as well as by presenting a sample teaching agenda for a class that uses a mix of active and passive learning techniques to engage student learning. Findings Twenty successful types of active learning exercises in IS courses are presented. Active Learning in IS 22 Recommendations for Practitioners This paper offers a “how to” resource of successful active learning strategies for IS faculty interested in implementing active learning in the classroom. Recommendation for Researchers This work provides an example of a systematic literature review as a means to assess successful implementations of active learning in IS. Impact on Society An updated definition of active learning is presented as well as a meaningful list of exercises that encourage active learning both inside and outside of the IS classroom. Future Research In relation to future research, this study highlights a number of opportunities for IS faculty in regards to new active learning activities or trends to study further.

A Structurational Analysis of Users and Management in a Knowledge Management System Project Implementation

This article applies the concepts of structuration theory to assess the interaction of corporate management with users of a knowledge management system (KMS). The study is based around China Motor Corporation (CMC), a major Taiwanese company faced with the challenge of deploying a knowledge management system. Over a period of 3 years (1999-2002) structured interviews were conducted to examine factors contributing to the success of KMS efforts in CMC. Our findings suggest that management and users must be engaged in a sustained and reciprocal communication method when implementing a KMS. The pattern of communication, power structure, sanction power, and degree of cooperation are dynamically changed during the interaction process. Therefore, it is important to maneuver these factors into a win-win situation for management and users in order to successfully implement a KMS. Practical implications of this article provide feasible real solutions to improve the relationship between users and management during a KMS implementation. Theoretically, this article contributes to the growing body of KM literatures from the structurational perspective.

Medical knowledge discovery systems: data abstraction and performance measurement

Knowledge discovery systems can be traced back to their origin, artificial intelligence and expert systems, but use the modern technique of data mining for the knowledge discovery process. To that end, the technical community views data mining as one step in the knowledge discovery process, while the non-technical community seems to view it as encompassing all of the steps to knowledge discovery. In this exploratory study, we look at medical knowledge discovery systems (MKDSs) by first looking at three examples of expert systems to generate medical knowledge. We then expand on the use of data abstraction as a pre-processing step in the comprehensive task of medical knowledge discovery. Next, we look at how performance of a medical knowledge discovery system is measured. Finally, the conclusions point to a bright future for MKDSs, but an area that needs extensive development to reach its full potential.