Chelley Vician

E-learning and individual characteristics: The role of computer anxiety and communication apprehension

Research has examined the role of technology in instruction and corporate training for over three decades. Advances in communication and computing technologies, coupled with the wide availability of the Internet, have spurred additional interest in technology-mediated and distance education programs. Yet, it is important to realize that technology can both enhance and hinder education. In this paper, we report the results of a field study conducted to understand how a particular set of individual characteristics, anxiety associated with computers and apprehension of oral and written communications, can lead to anxiety of using computers to communicate (anxiety associated with the use of email) and how this resulting anxiety might influence learning in a technology-mediated environment. Our results indicate that these anxieties are significant, influential factors in an individuals e-Learning experience. Anxiety with computers and apprehension of oral communication, with email familiarity explained 68% of the variance in the resulting anxiety associated with the use of email. This email anxiety and computer familiarity accounted for 22% of the variance in email use. Email use and age accounted for 11% of the variance in learner performance. These results highlight the relevance of individual-level anxiety characteristics and their importance in evaluating e-Learning programs. Implications for practice and directions for future research are discussed.

A case study of project management practices in virtual settings: lessons from working in and managing virtual teams

In this paper we report a case study examining the communication processes engaged in by virtual project teams and their management. Twenty-two teams, using widely available groupware to communicate, work together, share documents, discuss ideas, and solve problems, designed and implemented a database. These teams were managed by a geographically-distributed management team. The case study is analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively, from two perspectives--working in, and managing, virtual teams--using a framework that integrates virtual team dynamics and project management practices. Through the critical examination of communication content from the longitudinal experiences of multiple virtual project teams and their virtual management team, we identify successful project practices and uncover underlying interaction processes. Specifically, we found that high performing project teams differed from low performing teams in terms of process management, relational development, and proactive technology use behaviors. The five-person management team paralleled the project teams in evolving its own process management and relational development over time.

Unraveling the Message Quilt: A Case-Study Examination of Student Interaction in Computer-based Communication Assignments.

Abstract Student interaction and computer-based communication tool usage patterns were examined in two courses that required active use of computer-based communication tools. University students completed a set of communication assignments with either the instructor or other students as the primary audience. Case analyses developed from interviews, interaction coding, and qualitative analysis compare the communication content, the communication exchange format, and the timing of the communicative interaction of these student assignments. The results show that content focused on substantive course material, the exchange format closely mirrored the assignments, and a significant proportion of the communication took place outside of the “normal” 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. timeframe. These results suggest that instructors must carefully consider the outcomes they desire from the technology to be sure that assignments will lead to those outcomes. Additionally, the results indicate that students do use the technology at varying times, resulting in an expanded classroom space.

The Impact of Role Training in a User-Driven Group Support System Environment

We tested the proposition that training groups to use roles would improve performance in a user-driven, GSS-supported meeting. Two methods of role training, fixed and rotated roles, were compared against a control procedure in which no formal role training was provided. In a repeated measures experiment, half of the groups completed four generate-creative tasks, while the remaining groups completed three generate-creative tasks followed by one choice-intellective task. Both role training methods were successful in reducing the time spent by groups orienting themselves to the technology, particularly in the choice-intellective task context; however, decision quality or quantity did not improve with role training.

Accounting Documentation Software: An Overview of Options and Results from a Lucidchart Software Evaluation

Accounting practitioners use documentation diagrams to plan audits, train employees, and consult on accounting information systems development. Accounting educators instruct students in diagram development with various software tools as preparation for industry requirements. This paper presents a review of documentation diagrams identified by practice and major textbooks, a summary of software tool options, and an examination of cloud-based documentation software. We suggest software adoption criteria and propose Lucidchart as a cloud-software solution for developing accounting documentation diagrams. Finally, we present the results from a Lucidchart software evaluation study. The practical contribution is two-fold for educators responsible for teaching accounting documentation topics: (a) a documentation software resource; and (b) an initial usage assessment of Lucidchart software.

Integrating Accounting Themes with Enterprise System Experiences: An Accounting Department's Journey

Abstract This article provides our departments experiences with utilizing enterprise systems as part of teaching accounting concepts in a thoughtful, integrated fashion across the accounting curriculum. We describe how a specific enterprise system (SAP) has been used to design integrated accounting and technology experiences across an accounting curriculum. The description of our curriculum integration design, our integration process, and preliminary outcomes presented in this paper can be useful background to accounting systems educators involved in similar efforts at their institutions.