Reference no: EM133178977

Discussion 1.

Question A

Tell us about yourself so we can get to know you and so you can get to know others within the class. In your post, include what you believe to be your current knowledge level of this course topic and what you hope to learn before the course is over.

Question B

Information Systems are all around us. From the earliest days of computing with massive mainframes capable of a fraction of what a modern laptop can do, computing has been a part of our lives. Describe your experience or interaction with Information Systems, either through work, school, or in some other capacity. At the time, did you identify it as an information system? What do you think makes (or made) it one - or not? Why?

When replying to classmates, see if you agree with their understanding of the concept of information systems. Expand on why you feel as you do.

Discussion 2.

Careers in Information Systems

As we're beginning to see, Information Systems is made up of many different roles. Consider one such role that interests you and search the internet to discover the projected future of the job, the potential earnings, the skills and education needed to get the job as well as skills you may need to frequently update in order to remain competitive and relevant in a field reliant on ever-changing technology.

When replying to classmates, think about the role they've researched and whether it interests you. Compare to your choice - what do you like about each? Does the new information affect your initial choice?

Discussion 3.

It's all about Data

Just like information systems, data is all around us and has been long before computers became the indispensable tools they are now. From the first hieroglyphs scratched into clay tablets to inventory grain stores, people have recorded important data in many different ways.

Think back to when you were younger. What are some things you made a list of or counted? Your book or music collection? Some kind of collectibles like sport or other cards? How did you record your data? Tables? Lists? Something else? How would you recreate it now using technology?

Remember the correlation of rows to records and columns to attributes. Consider those early records. How might they translate to a database table? Using the table tool in the comment box, create a simple table with 3 records and 3 attributes per record. Describe how you decided on the layout and row/column names used. How does this exercise add to your understanding of data or even databases?

When replying to classmates, examine the tables they created and the methods they chose. Are they similar to yours? If different, how? Can you think of a better way or a different technology than they mention?

Discussion 4.

Working in the cloud

Cloud computing, as we've seen, is a blanket term that now encompasses many different products and services. Take a look at Amazon Web Services or Azure Development Tools offerings to see just how much is available. Then do a search on jobs that involve cloud computing either on the provider end or as an IS professional making use of such services. Write a paragraph or so on one such job. What kind of skills are necessary? What kinds of organizations are hiring and how does the pay scale measure up to your expectations? Do you foresee this career as one with a broad future ahead? Why or why not?

Discussion 5.

Analytics as part of IS Management

Data Analytics and business intelligence aren't new concepts, by any means, but the methods, tools, amounts and kinds of data have definitely changed over time. Consider the role of analytics in the management of information systems based on your knowledge and experience as well as our readings and activities.

Discuss some of the ways in which analytics assist information systems management as well as the organization at large. What kinds of data are most useful and how is it gathered? How do managers protect customer, client, and even employees' personally identifiable information in order for those who may not have permissions to view it? How is the data secured in general?

Discussion 6.

Knowledge Management

Knowledge management is a method of compiling knowledge, using it as a reference tool, and fostering learning among new employees and staff. It is, in a very real sense, a model seen throughout human civilization. More experienced workers pass on their skills and knowledge to younger ones through guided internships or apprenticeships. Instructions or methods are written down and saved to help train others. Knowledge management formalizes processes so there is a record and a resource available. Seems like a very logical and essential thing to do yet there are examples of the neglect to manage knowledge that caused businesses to falter and, in some cases, fail.

Our readings refer to tacit and explicit knowledge. As we've seen, explicit knowledge is knowledge that is easy to explain, write down, or share. Tacit knowledge is gained from experience and can be more difficult to explain. In the article What is KM? Professor Michael E. D. Koenig suggests this might be expanded to include ‘implicit' knowledge. Implicit knowledge refers to knowledge or skills that are transferrable from one job to another.

Consider your experiences in a work or other environment where knowledge was essential to success. Were there resources available to help or were people left to figure things out from the ground up? Was the knowledge of more experienced workers or those about to retire valued and retained or did the organization ‘re-invent the wheel' over and over? Discuss successful or unsuccessful knowledge management in this situation and how it either did or could have helped.

See if you can relate to the situation or circumstance. Elaborate on why or why not. What might you have done in a similar situation?

Discussion 7.

Waterfall vs Agile

These two methodologies are often seen in different environments to help manage projects in an efficient and streamlined way. They help keep everyone on the same page from the beginning of a project onward.

Take a look at the readings referencing both, or even outside research, and discuss the differences, similarities, and circumstances in which you believe they would apply. Provide at least one substantive example for each.

In responses, consider your understanding of each methodology and the examples provided by classmates. Do you agree with their examples? If not, elaborate on why you feel this way. If so, discuss their example or provide one of your own to compare.

Discussion 8.

Ethics in IS

People working with information systems are privy not only to sensitive information but also systems which can be vulnerable to internal or external threats. Even seemingly benign behaviors like checking personal email on a work computer can put the computer, network, and business at risk. This is why such activities are usually prohibited in the workplace or on work equipment.

From our readings and activities as well as your own experience, discuss a scenario in which unethical behavior or actions can create problems. Be specific about the risk, the issues that can result, and why it is essential to follow guidelines and ethical tenets required by an employer.

In replies to classmates, think about the situations they have described and whether you've experienced something similar. Where there consequences - either punitive or preventative?