TOC | Introduction | OEIS-1 | OEIS-2 | OEIS-3 | OEIS-4 | OEIS-5 | OEIS-6 | OEIS-7 | OEIS-8 | OEIS-9 | OEIS-10 | OEIS-11
This course provides a comprehensive overview of technology solutions for the OEIS environment, including software packages, operating systems, and hardware considerations. Students analyze, select, and evaluate computer software and hardware to address business needs. The course emphasizes the development of business applications using software packages (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation graphics, project management, and desktop publishing and their accompanying documentation and help-screens). Prerequisites: computer literacy; demonstrated skill in using application software
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
This course could take a student-centered approach, emphasizing the application of OEIS technologies to address business needs. The instructor could identify real or simulated business needs and have students work both individually and in teams to solve them. Students could prepare formal reports describing the business need and how the OEIS solution addressed it, and present the report orally in class.
Students will need access to computers to complete assignments. Ideally, instructor and class would have access to some type of computer laboratory where students could actually install operating systems and software applications. An assortment of computer software for hands-on work in the computer laboratory is needed. Ideally, students would also have access to an assortment of hardware including notebook computers, facsimile equipment, and printers.
Class sessions could include vendor or instructor-led demonstrations of new software products. Students could visit local sites, touring facilities and interviewing end users about their use of systems in their daily work. Guest speakers could provide corporate or industry perspectives on software applications-- development, use, and evaluation.
1. Survey and review of the technical environment (10%) Skill level 2
Material covered: commonly used software packages and their range of support in organizational and end-user environments, including word processing, desktop publishing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation graphics, project management, and communications software; computer hardware components and operating systems, LANs, WANs, and the Internet.
2. Defining and addressing business needs (20%) Skill level 2
Material covered: Interviewing users; articulating business needs; matching identified needs with appropriate tools.
3. Evaluating and selecting software and hardware (20%) Skill level 3
Material covered: criteria for evaluating software and hardware components; decision matrices.
4. Software installation (10%) Skill level 3
Material covered: the use of vendor documentation and help screens; following installation procedures for particular hardware and software following manufacturer's instructions on both a single computer and on a network; strategies for technical problem solving and trouble-shooting techniques; the development of procedures manuals to solve specific end- user problems.
5. Developing business applications using software packages (40%) Skill level 3
Material covered: understanding and using vendor documentation and help screens; actual development of business applications (solutions) using appropriate software packages to address specified business needs or situations.
Textbooks could range from a relatively theoretical book to help students with the conceptual basis of the course to a strong applications-based text that may include generic instructions on the basic software packages and include the type of assignments mentioned previously. Some possibilities include:
Groneman, N., & Meroney, J. (1991). Information systems applications, evaluation, and selection. Cincinnati, OH: South-Western Publishing Co. (OSRA endorsed text).
Knosrowpour, M. (1993). Microcomputer systems applications: A hands-on managerial approach. Harrisburg, PA: Idea Group Publishing.
Lkhosrowpour, M. (1993). Micro-based information systems: Development and management. Harrisburg, PA: Idea Group Publishing.
Meyer, N. D., & Boone, M. (1987). The information edge. Homewood,
IL: Business One.
TOC | Introduction | OEIS-1 | OEIS-2 | OEIS-3 | OEIS-4 | OEIS-5 | OEIS-6 | OEIS-7 | OEIS-8 | OEIS-9 | OEIS-10 | OEIS-11
The OSRA Curriculum Revision Group
page design by Preston
Lathrop
last revised: December 23, 1996
