The Proceedings of the Information Systems Education Conference 2001: §33a Home Papers/Indices prev (§32c) Next (§33b)

Paper (refereed) Information Systems Curriculum

Recommended Citation: McGinnis, D R and G J Slauson. An Information System Course Model That Emphasizes Non-Technical Skills. In The Proceedings of the Information Systems Education Conference 2001, v 18 (Cincinnati): §33a.

An Information System Course Model That Emphasizes Non-Technical Skills

Refereed

Denise R. McGinnis    [a1] [a2]
Information Technology
Mesa State College    [u1] [u2]
Grand Junction, Colorado, USA    [c1] [c2]

Gayla Jo Slauson    [a1] [a2]
Information Technology
Mesa State College    [u1] [u2]
Grand Junction, Colorado, USA    [c1] [c2]

"Change is like the weather: everyone talks about it but there is nothing one can do about it." The only thing constant about Information Technology (IT) is change. Many of the technical skills that IT students learn become obsolete by graduation. This paper will discuss those skills that actually do remain constant, and will present two ways to encourage students to improve these skills in an information systems course. Information systems courses are often taught as lecture courses, with some hands-on exercises. Such courses generally precede a Systems Analysis and Design course, and may be taught at the sophomore level (Fundamentals of Information Systems), or at a junior level (Information Systems Theory and Practice or Management Information Systems). Specifically, in this paper we will stress the use of debates and open-ended hands-on projects as a means of emphasizing these unchanging skills.

Keywords: non-technical skills, communication, MIS, debates, hands-on projects, teaching tips for IT courses

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