File: mist4600learningapproaches.html
URL: www.terry.uga.edu/~jaronson/mist4600/
MIST 4600: Computer Programming in Business
JE Aronson
View of Bogotá
from the top of Monserrate, Bogotá, Colombia, June 2006
Course Learning Approaches
Learning Performance
(Success) Policies, Issues and Ideas
Introduction: Computer
programming is a skill that is basic to a
thorough understanding of management information systems and their
development. The concepts of computer
programming and object orientation are conceptual building blocks for
thinking
about information systems. This course
should be viewed as one of the cornerstones upon which all subsequent
MIS
activities are based. Skills and concepts you learn in this class will
be
applied again and again throughout your college and IS careers.
Consequently,
you should expect to work hard in this course to develop these skills.
It is
expected that students will spend a minimum of 10 hours per week
reading and
working on assignments outside of class. But, it is important to note that
the amount of time required to master the material varies by
individual. From personal experience, we know that it is possible for
(almost) anyone to master the course concepts and perform at a high
level. It only requires time, energy, effort and patience. Do not fall
behind. Keep up with the class and put in whatever effort it takes.
Take
Responsibility for Your Learning: You haver reached a stage in
your education where you are responsible for your learning, in terms of
trying to figure out what works, and what does not work for you.
Active
Learning is preferable to passive
learning,
because it has been shown through educational research to be more
effective.
Some parts of the course will be traditional lecture, but most will
involve hands-on programming.We are looking forward to working with
you to provide as favorable a learning environment as is possible. There
are a number of ways you can improve your course performance and
learning.
Most are based on the notions of Active
Learning, which implies that you (the student) are responsible
for your own learning, and must commit to it. Here are some time-proven
active learning tips.
Attend Class: Come
to every class (unless you are ill). Attendance is critical for
learning. Seriously, even if there are only a few minutes left, do come
to class. It is important. See the course Attendance Policies.
Take Notes: Education
research
indicates that taking notes involves a cognitive process that requires
you to understand what you are writing. It reenforces the learning.
This is true even in a computer/programming course.
Get Course Buddies and Communicate
with Them: Your Course Buddies are your best link with the
class, especially if you miss a class.
Discuss Material with Peers:
Discussing ideas and programming concepts may seem strange, but
in
practice, any discussion and development (of nonassignments) reenforces
learning. One way to prepare for an
exam or quiz is to get together with your course buddies and go through
the solution of several problems together. By teaching each other, you
all learn better.
Pace Yourself: Keep
up. Put in
the amount of time that you need to in order to master the material
(this varies by individual). Do
not fall behind. The course does move quickly and it is extremely
difficult to catch up if you fall behind.
Learning Programming: Programming
improves with practice. The topic is like any tacit knowledge-based
material. To master it requires repetitive experiential (hands-on)
learning. This is why we hold classes in a Lab classroom.
Read and Try Material in
Advance:
Educational
research also shows that if you read the material before class you can
perform better in class, and, gain a much more solid understanding
about
the material. Do read the material before class, not after class. It is
extremely difficult to engage in intelligent conversation when you know
little or nothing about the topic being discussed. It is also difficult
to ask intelligent questions about the material without reading it in
advance. Please read
the material before you get to class to maximize learning. Also, try to
implement the programs. Then,
be
prepared to actively participate in class. Time and again,
we indicate at the
start of a class that this is critical for learning. At the end of each
course, we ask our students "What could they do to improve their
learning?" and around 80% indicate that they could "read the book
before coming to class." So, believe us now or believe us later. Better
yet, take this idea to heart and just do it. Also, if you ask questions
in class about material in the text that you should have read and did
not, you are wasting everyone else's time. By trying concepts out in
advance, you can really learn faster. Experimentation is one of the
best ways of practicing experiential learning. It also shows you are
proactive in your learning.
Faculty
and Student Contracts: With
active learning in mind, I
have created a Faculty Teaching and Course Conduct Contract to outline
my basic approach to teaching and
conduct. I view this as a contractual agreement in describing what I
will do to
maximize your learning. [I
spent over six months developing this
concise set of statements, and have only made a one word change in over
10 years.] Clearly, there
are student-centered
responsibilities as well. To truly maximize learning, you, as a
student
in the class, must take responsibility and for make a commitment to your learning. You own it. The first step is to create
similar contracts
that describe learning and conduct (yes - a promise to learn ).
This is an optional (not required), but important step in owning your
education. I will not collect them, but it says a lot about your
character and willingness to learn. I strongly suggest that you do this.
Faculty Teaching and Conduct Contract:
I promise
to try
to
do anything feasible to provide a constructive, positive learning
environment
so that you, the students in my class, can learn and master the course
material and requisite skills. I shall attempt to keep us on schedule,
and minimize disruptions and changes in the assignments, exams and
course
schedule. I shall attempt to do my best to test out the assignments,
projects,
exams, quizzes etc., and to notify the class about changes in a timely
manner. I shall endeavor to report grades in a timely manner. I shall
make
every
attempt to be in my office during office hours. I shall attempt to
continuously
improve this course and my teaching. I
shall
behave
in a professional and honorable manner at all times when teaching this
class, when meeting with students, and during office hours.
Student
Course Learning and
Conduct Contract: I
expect that, as
a
student in this course, you can create clear goals and describe
appropriate
behavior so that this course will be a positive experience. I
also expect
that
as a student in this course, you can express a clear and reasonable
statement
of conduct in this class. Please
type
up this contract, turn it in and keep a copy
to
keep it in mind as we move through the semester. Among other
activities, I suggest
that you promise to read the book material before coming to class.
Course Success Tip: Technological
Change: There
is one very important aspect about technology - Change.
Change is
always
with us. Change is inevitable. Change is constantly present. You always
have change (unless you need it for the bus or a vending machine).
Things
change. Even implementing a new or updated information system
(including a spreadsheet) at an organization introductes change.
Hardware and software evolve. Concepts change. Web sites change
consistently
(a fact of life - just do a search if you find a "bad" link). Sometimes
things that the textbook or your Instructor will demonstrate might not
quite work the way you saw it. Please be patient about in-class
demonstrations.
At home or in the labs, things may be slightly different. And, I like
to learn from you, so I may try things (for the first time) that you
suggest.
The real key
to succeeding in this environment is to expect change, be flexible, and
go with the flow. I will do everything possible to minimize the
risks
of things not working. If things fail, I will try to develop quick,
usable
work-arounds. (That’s another good reason to come to class).
Chinese
Learning Success
Proverb:
This wise and ancient Chinese proverb about learning goes roughly
like
this:
1. Tell me and I’ll forget.
2. Show me and I might remember.
3. Involve me, and I’ll learn.
The proverb
exhibits incredible wisdom.
It’s the
best
way to master the material about computers and computing. It really
works.
One issue in learning computing skills is
that given enough time, anyone can master them. Some people take longer
than others.
Page
maintained by JE
Aronson
Last Modified: December 30, 2008