Campus-Wide Information Systems

Claudio Teixeira; Joaquim Sousa Pinto; Joaquim Arnaldo Martins

2008 Campus-Wide Information Systems

doi: 10.1108/10650740810886312

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to describe a project to provide an online web portal that can be used as a front‐end for all university users – students, teachers, staff – and services, library, administration, e‐learning, and e‐mail. Design/methodology/approach – The profile model proposed is mainly inheritable, defined by profile components with transactional templates, security rules and layout templates. This approach is being tested on a campus prototype portal. The prototype is an underway project in development at our university. Findings – This paper explains that, even though different from the overall approaches, the basic profile and the profile management system proposed are solid alternatives when addressing personalization of organization users. Originality/value – This new approach explains how user modelling applications can be integrated into any organization without the cost of reengineering the entire information system already in place.

Noor Azizi Ismail

2008 Campus-Wide Information Systems

doi: 10.1108/10650740810886321

Purpose – The paper's purpose is to investigate the issues of IT governance, funding and structure of a public university in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses a case study approach, i.e. a series of interviews with users and information services provider of campus information system. Findings – The university lacks a common approach to decision making or forum for making comprehensive assessments of IT planning and funding strategy. The campus information system was developed in an uncoordinated manner, reflecting interests of different departmental units, and a decision support system is almost non‐existent. A new IT planning structure with clear roles and responsibilities is proposed to overcome existing barriers to effective campus information system. Originality/value – This is the first study to investigate the issue of IT governance, funding and structure in Malaysian universities using a case study approach.

S. Manjit Sidhu

2008 Campus-Wide Information Systems

doi: 10.1108/10650740810886330

Purpose – This paper aims to present the development of technology‐assisted problem solving (TAPS) packages at University Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN). The project is the further work of the development of interactive multimedia based packages targeted for students having problems in understanding the subject of engineering mechanics dynamics. Design/methodology/approach – In this study TAPS packages are compared with other selected engineering computer packages. Findings – The differences found were indicative of better presentation and clarity, step‐by‐step approach to solve engineering problems, user‐friendly environment, unbiased assessment of performance and flexibility to incorporate 3‐D geometric models in the TAPS packages. Originality/value – This paper provides a brief account of the differences between the TAPS packages approach used in this research with that of commercial simulation packages accompanying the engineering mechanics dynamics textbook and will be of interest to those in the field of engineering.

Saeid Moradi Rekabdarkolaei; Fattane Amuei

2008 Campus-Wide Information Systems

doi: 10.1108/10650740810886349

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to evaluate ICT literacy differences in trainee student teachers from the view of sexuality. Design/methodology/approach – In the research, sender differences in self‐reported ICT experience and ICT literacy among first year graduate trainee teachers were investigated. The questionnaires were made available in two forms: printed and online. Also, dynamic model of ICT literacy was employed. Three main components of aspiring teachers' ICT literacy were covered: present general problem‐solving and technical ICT capabilities; situational and longitudinal sustainability; and transferability of ICT capabilities into future professional domain. Findings – Results show no significant differences were found between females' and males' previous experience with ICT. However, males on average worked with computers significantly more hours per week than females. Significant differences between males' and females' technical ICT capabilities and situational and longitudinal sustainability were observed. Males' scores were higher. In the regression analysis, when the impact of the background and ICT experience variables was controlled, gender failed to be a significant predictor of the sustainability scores. However, it remained a significant predictor of some trainee teachers' scores, related to their technical ICT capabilities. Originality/value – This paper adds to the literature on the evaluation of ICT literacy differences in trainee student teachers from the view of sexuality and will be of interest to those in the field.