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ABSTRACT
This paper describes our experience of using Content Management Software (CMS), specifically Joomla, to build a real world domain-specific social network site (SNS) as a capstone project for graduate information systems and computer science students. As Web 2.0 technologies become increasingly important in driving business application development, information systems programs will benefit from utilizing these leading edge technologies in realistic and exciting team projects. Two capstone teams built a SNS for a swimming team by configuring, extending and creating Joomla components in a two semester sequence. Appropriate social networking features were integrated with domain-specific application requirements to create an online community to support swimmers in achieving their goals. The prototype received very good reviews from the swimming coaches and the mentor. A software process based on a subset of Rational Unified Process (RUP), agile software development, and scrum was used. The paper discusses the relative merits and suitability of building a domain-specific SNS as a capstone project. It also presents the points of view and experiences of the project's industrial mentor and students.
Keywords: Web 2.0, Content Management Software, Social Networking Sites, Capstone Project, Information Systems
1. INTRODUCTION
Real world A~nln.ipecfflc applicaUoni hive freqacntly been used as capstone projects in many universities (Beasley 2003; Conn 2004; Hadfield and Jensen 2007; Leidig et ad. 2006; Myers 2003; Reichlmay 2006). In these projects, students frequently worked in teams to solve problems for non-profit organizations (Leidig et al. 2006) or commercial corporations (Myers 2003). These capstone projects allowed students to integrate their knowledge in computing and information technology to encompass the complete analysis, design and implementation phases of soft war e development.
Perceived advantages of real- world capstone projects include the following:
* Provide the necessary bridge between academic study and the professional software development world (Hadfield and Jensen 2007).
* Promote the development of leadership, communications, collaboration and organizational skills that are essential in successful software development (Leidig et al. 2006; Hadfield and Jensen 2007).
* Provide a culminating and integrative educational experience that unifies diverse technologies and theories learned in the information systems or computing curricula (Clear et al. 2001).
* Foster the understanding of organizational processes for which the software is developed (Conn 2004).
Because of these perceived benefits, many universities have capstone...