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ABSTRACT
In the digital economy era, business information systems students need to be knowledgeable of multiple computer programming languages in order to meet the requirements of computer literacy. This paper outlines the pedagogy of an innovated course of multiple computer languages for business students in the major of information systems. It discusses the rationale of why the proposed pedagogy is different from and better than traditional ones, and describes the approach to teaching this course. Based on our experiences in the past three years, it is concluded that a single course of multiple computer languages is useful and feasible.
Keywords: IS education, pedagogy, multiple computer programming languages
1. INTRODUCTION
There have been dramatic changes in information technology during the last decade. Most notable is the advancement of computer literacy of millions of information systems (IS) professionals in business and management as a result of the proliferation of electronic commerce. The changes have considerable implications for institutions of higher education whose responsibility is to train the next generation of business IS professionals. In our view, business IS students must acquire fundamental theories of IS as well as essential practical skills in computer applications. They must also develop the life-long learning ability in information technology during their business education. Recently, there is a considerable need for redesigning business IS education curriculum (IS'2000 2001). Academic institutions are required to pay increasing attention to courses of practical IS skills based on long-term strategic considerations. This paper is to report how this challenge was met by designing the contents of an innovated course of multiple computer programming languages for business IS students.
2. THE INNOVATED COURSE OF COMPUTER PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
The course described in this paper is entitled "Programming and Problem Solving," and is designed for sophomore students in the major of business information systems. There is no specific prerequisite other than a course of introduction to business. It is taught over one semester, normally 14 weeks. In its design, this course consists of two distinct modules. The Teaching Module provides an overview of representative computer programming languages in business computing. The Project Module involves hands-on projects.
The teaching of a comprehensive computer programming course is complicated by the extensive nature of the subject. As no report on...