Vladan Jovanovic

Use of extreme programming (XP) in teaching introductory programming

This work was motivated by the possibility of improving success rates in introductory programming courses by adapting approaches like extreme programming (XP). Specifically, to identify the practices in XP that enhance learning. The authors hoped that experience with XP, at an early stage, would improve both student motivation and interest in the profession. This paper reports findings of several instructors, with more than 200 students, over one academic year.

Direct Physical Data Vault Design

The paper presents a novel agile approach to large scale design of enterprise data warehouses based on a Data Vault model. An original, simple and direct algorithm is defined for the incremental design of physical Data Vault type enterprise data warehouses, using source data meta-model and rules, and used in developing a prototype case tool for Data Vault design. This approach solves primary requirements for a system of record, that is, preservation of all source information, and fully addresses flexibility and scalability expectations. Our approach benefits from Data Vault dependencies minimizations and rapid loads opportunities enabling greatly simplified ETL transformations in a way not possible with traditional (i.e. non data vault based) data warehouse designs. The approach is illustrated using a realistic example from the healthcare domain.

Teachning network storage technology: assessment outcomes and directions

The paper presents content, delivery and assessment mechanisms used for an undergraduate course on Networked Storage Technology. We based the course on the EMCs vendor-neutral Storage Technology Fundamentals course and provided additional content fitting our respective degree programs. This paper provides a detail review of how the course fits into our curricula, what important enhancements are included in the content, and in particular, how it helps achieve the 2008 ABET assessment requirements.

Comparison of computing programs at the level of intent

In this paper, we compare and contrast accreditation criteria and curricular recommendations of four different computing programs, namely Computer Science (CS), Information Systems (IS), Software Engineering (SE) and Information Technology (IT). The paper presents analysis at a level of program intentions in an effort to highlight the similarities and differences among programs in computing. A better understanding of the programs in computing can lead to more principled answers to the questions about possible standardization of relevant coursework.

Systems assurance standards and processes

In this paper we present an example of a senior/graduate level course focused on standards and processes in Information Assurance. Our claim is that this course design can be used as a model for a capstone course in Information Assurance. The premise is that Standards represent a knowledgebase enabling a comprehensive treatment of Assurance Processes at the system level, and that, consequently, a standards based approach is appropriate for a capstone concentrated on using lessons learned. Our capstone course intent is the education of Information Systems Security Officers (ISSO) in compliance with NSA training standard requirements CNSS 4014, and a standards-based course fits that requirement.

Second thoughts about a career in IT

At a time of numerous reports of American IT jobs being outsourced overseas, and the immediate employment prospects for many IT graduates uncertain, it remains unclear whether these developments are causing American IT students to reconsider their earlier decision to undertake a career in IT. Addressing this issue, this exploratory study reports the general level of IT career commitment of senior IT students enrolled at a medium-sized State University in the southern United States. In addition, links between the level of a students IT career commitment and a number of factors are investigated, including knowledge about the IT job market, perceived job uncertainty, IT self-efficacy, attitudes towards IT study, and the type of IT program a student was undertaking.

Enhancing learning success in the introductory programming course

This paper is the follow up of a work-in-progress presented at FIE 2002. The goal of the work is to implement those XP practices that contribute to rapid feedback and learning. Grading is based on student achievement. However, it is very important to ensure that a students grade is directly related to course content and the amount they have learned. In this paper we present a detailed analysis of the method used along with the assessment of the final method. We also discuss our evaluation criteria and present the results of evaluation.

Data modeling styles in data warehousing

The paper presents a coordinated set of data modeling styles relevant for data warehouse design in the context of relational databases. The scope of presented models covers: a) entity relationship models of existing relational DB sources, b) logical data vault model for integrated enterprise data warehouses as a system of records, c) dimensional fact model for analysis leading to query prototyping and dimensional models, and d) dimensional model for data marts. There is no claim of sufficiency, uniqueness, and/or universality of the selected styles set except utility. The principal contributions of the paper are: definition of data modeling styles as distinct modeling mechanisms, and initial coordination of selected complementary styles.

Teaching agile validation of data models

The paper presents a novel approach to teaching agile validation of data models. The advantage of this approach is in minimizing required classroom time to achieve desirable learning outcomes of understanding model validation and of enabling ability to perform such validations. The primary contribution of the paper is in formulating the first agile approach to data model validation suitable for students. The paper explains agile methods proposed to be used together, compares agile with traditional reviews and provides suggestions for teaching agile validation of data models across computing disciplines.

Software management as an information technology knowledge area

It can be argued that one of the distinguishing features of an IT graduate is that he or she is able to manage the IT resources of an organization, and to provide technical support for the use of those resources. While this perspective has certainly influenced the design of data management courses and is, to a growing extent, starting to influence the design of courses in the area of networking, we argue that it has, thus far, had very little influence on the design of software related courses.In this paper we argue that, courses in the areas of software engineering, systems analysis and design, and programming are insufficient to prepare IT graduates to take on positions as managers of the software resources of an organization. In particular, we argue that there are important skills that a software manager must possess that are not, or at best minimally, covered in these courses. In particular, coverage is weak in the areas of software acquisition and software integration.We therefore propose the inclusion of Software Management as a knowledge area in any model curriculum for baccalaureate programs in Information Technology. In this paper, we also sketch what such a knowledge area might contain and give an example of a course that would be needed over and above traditional software engineering, systems analysis and design, and programming courses to give students an adequate coverage of the entire field of software management.