BIS 555, Winter 20001
BIS 555
Advanced Web Design and Intranet Implementation
Instructor: Dr. Alan Rea / Office:3341 Schneider HallEmail: WebCT Mail or (preferred) / Snail Mail:
Western Michigan University
Haworth College of Business
Business Information Systems
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Phone: 387-4247 / Office Hours:
WMU Office Hours
T 0930-1045
R 1400-1500
Virtual Office Hours
Asynchronous: By Email and Discussion Board
Synchronous: As needed
Either WMU or Virtual
Also available by appointment
Fax: 387-5710 / Valuable URLs:
The Haworth College of Business is dedicated to delivering the best undergraduate business program in Michigan and surrounding states (Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio) by the year 2006.
Introduction
Since this course is somewhat different in terms of how our meetings, discussions, etc. will be conducted from a “traditional” course, I have provided some information in this introduction.
Please feel free to contact me with questions. However, note that e-mail will provide the quickest response.
Format of the Class
This course will combine class meetings with on-line learning. You will need to make sure you can make the commitment to attending class and also checking the course site on a regular basis. The class will meet about every other week, and we’ll discuss topics, have presentations, and I might even lecture a bit ;} However, there will also be assignments, discussions, and other projects on-line as well.
This mixed format will allow you more flexibility. You will only have to physically attend class on certain weeks and most of the on-line material and discussion is done on your own in an asynchronous manner. In other words, if 2 AM is the best time for you to react to discussion questions, no one will mind because we know your material will be there for us when we log in at our most convenient time of the day.
In addition to your new sense of freedom, you will also be learning valuable skills. With on-line materials, discussion areas, e-mail, etc. you will be acquiring and using technology skills to manage your time and assignments. These skills will readily translate into the workplace and make you a more productive team member.
Meeting Dates
We will meet on select Wednesdays from 1400-1700 hrs. (There are 2 exceptions to these times: January 5th and February 2nd. These classes will meet from 1515-1815 hrs.) During these meetings we will have presentations, conduct discussions, explore topics, etc. Physically meeting on select Wednesdays is possible because a large portion of the course will be conducted on-line through a courseware package called WebCT.
Using your account in WebCT you will be able to access the discussion forum, your course e-mail account, my virtual office, etc. As long as you have an Internet connection and a Web browser (4.x version or above) you can connect to WebCT. Our course will be at once the semester begins. More information on WebCT is available at
We will hold class meetings on the following Wednesdays:
January 5th / January 19th* February 2nd / * February 16th
* March 8th / * March 22nd
* April 5th / April 19th
* There will be explorations during these class sessions.
Course Description
Building upon knowledge and skills acquired in BIS 555 “Web Design and Information Management,” the course focuses on: 1. implementing effective Web pages and sites using acquired skills and 2. building knowledge about how one implements effective solutions via the Web in a given corporate culture.
Course Objectives
Using advanced Web technologies such as Active Server Pages (ASP), and other interface and system development tools (Microsoft InterDev 6.0, for example),
students implement Internet and Intranet solutions, such as interactive pages, forms, and Web Databases. Students also make use of theories and studies intended to build a sound business practices knowledge base. Much of this course will be primarily delivered on-line via interactive Web technologies.
Prerequisite
PNU BIS 555 Course "Web Design and Information Management" or a good knowledge of HTML and some JavaScript (or the basics of an Object
Oriented Language).
Note: We will primarily use VBScript for programming portions of assignments (focused on ASP). I will start the course as if there is not much prior knowledge of VBScript.
Course Texts
Required
Francis, Brian, John Kauffman, Juan T Llibre, David Sussman, and Chris Ullman. Beginning Active Server Pages 2.0. Wrox Press Inc., 1998. ISBN: 1861001347
Buser, David, Jon Duckett, John Kauffman, and Chris Ullman.
Gonzalez, Jennifer Stone. The 21st-Century Intranet. Prentice-Hall Inc., 1998. ISBN: 0-13-842337-7
Optional
Student Guide to the World Wide Web and WebCT. Harcourt College Publishers, 1999.
ISBN: 0-03-045503-0 (Found at
Students should also consider The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, San Jose Mercury News, ZDNet, and other publications that have a strong technology and business section. More publications available on the Course Site.
Other Required Materials
Access to a computer with Internet access.
World Wide Web Materials (much will be online in this course).
Supplemental Materials (provided by Instructor and your colleagues).
Course Endeavors
Business and Technology Exploration (100 points)
During the course of the semester, a student will prepare and present a Business and Technology Exploration. This exploration is something like a case analysis and it will be primarily a written report with a short (10-15 minute) presentation facilitated via PowerPoint, other visual aids, etc. While a professional presentation is important, we are more concerned with the interaction and discussion of the issues brought forth in the Business and Technology Exploration.
Students will need to sign up for a class session. Depending on the number of students, there will need to be 3 to 4 explorations a meeting.
Students can use a concept, problem, or issue from the workplace, the news, a phenomenon of interest, etc. For example, how might a company deal with the increasing number of employees using the Internet for personal reasons throughout the business day without hampering productivity dependant on the Internet/Intranet or employee morale?
After the class presentation and discussion, the student will be responsible for posting the exploration on-line as well in the appropriate folder.
For the written portion of the Business and Technology Exploration (e-mailed to the instructor as a Word attachment before the class session), please use the following guidelines:
The paper should be about 1250 words (not including references).
The following outline should be utilized for the written report. It can be modified as long as the basic elements are still included:
Executive Summary: A brief synopsis of the case, the problem, and the general recommendation
Introduction: includes an overview of the situation, the company, and issues involved.
Problem Statement: An analysis of the problem facing the organization
Assessment: An analysis of the actions the company needs to take to correct the problems
Generalization: A recommendation for how the problem/solution might be generalized to managers
References: APA style of documentation
On-Line Discussion Leadings (50 points)
Throughout the semester each student will be responsible for leading 2 on-line discussions. One discussion will come from the Intranet text and one from the ASP text. Students will sign up for 2 different chapters and be prepared to be the discussion “leader” (or one of the leaders) for their chapters.
For the discussions, the leader will prepare a typed document of about 250-500 words. This document will contain 5 to 6 pertinent questions from the chapter with the leader’s thoughts and observations about the question. This document will be e-mailed (as a Word attachment) to the instructor before the discussion week begins.
For the on-line portion, the leader will pose pertinent questions (can use those turned in to the instructor, of course), conduct discussions, and promote dialogue, etc. on that chapter for the given week. During this week, the leader should check the discussion board quite frequently.
Substantial Postings (50 points)
Students will be required to do a minimum of 3 substantial on-line postings a week.
Weeks will be measured from Saturday to Friday. The postings should center on the following areas for each week:
A posting about current technology and business trends. (25-50 words or so, should have a URL(s) to some additional information)
A response/observation about one of the current Intranet chapters (25-50 words or so)
A response/observation about one of the current ASP chapters (25-50 words or so)
Postings helping others or posing interesting questions above the 3 required will also be welcome.
Postings will be evaluated using a check system. More about this system on the Course Site.
Labs (400 points)
Labs will be worth a total of 400 points (40% of grade) in the course. Points for labs will vary according to the time allotted and the depth of each lab. Labs and due dates will be posted on the Course Site.
Major Project (300 points)
Students will be working (alone, or in a 2-person team) and turning in progress checks throughout the semester for this project. The bulk of it is not due until near the end of the course.
The project will need to incorporate effective design skills, user interaction, advanced ASP components, and other innovative applications. We will talk about this in great detail as the semester progresses, but for now realize that this project will be a real-world application of what you have learned throughout the entire semester. More details are on the Course Site.
Final Exam (100 Points)
An evaluation of what you learned during the semester. You are required to take the final exam to earn credit in the course.
For Graduate Students
Research Update (In-class and On-line) (50 points)
The Research Update is a 500-word discussion and a brief bibliography on your proposed research project. The first draft of this will be due mid-semester. After turning it in for feedback (Word document attachment) to the instructor (and the class, if you want), you will be asked to turn in the final draft. You should base the format and structure of this update on the Exploration or the Research Project.
Research Project (250 points)
The Research Project is due at the end of the semester. It should be about 3750 to 5000 words (15-20 pages; not including bibliography).
You must demonstrate your ability to research, develop, and communicate effectively on an issue in Information Technology as a component of this course. As a graduate student one of your general objectives is to develop skills in researching and reporting on problems. For this project you must conduct one (or a combination) of the following:
Library Research: Collection of literature related to the issue
Data Collection: On-line analysis of data (such as CRSP or other resource)
Modeling: Solving problems using software or mathematics
Field Study: Utilization of on-site analysis to prepare a case
The topic of your research will have been presented in a one-page summation (the Research Update) to the instructor for approval. You should report your findings in the form of a written document that follows the format:
Executive Summary: Brief synopsis of the study and its findings
Problem Statement: A summary of what you are studying
Methodology: The techniques used (if any) in the analysis
Findings: The results of the study
Managerial Implications: How do the findings affect real world managers
References: APA style of documentation
This outline may be modified to suit particular projects. The project will be graded on thoroughness, intellect, insight, and professionalism. It is expected that graduate level work will be conducted in this project.
Tentative Schedule
This can be found at the Course Site.
General Information
Assignments
Unless otherwise noted, all work needs to be your own. This is not to say you cannot ask questions, discuss concepts, etc. with one another, but the final product must be your own work. Only the Major Project can be a team effort in this course. All other tasks should be completed on a predominantly individual basis.
Due Dates
Due dates are firm. All assignments are due on the due date. Late work will not be eligible for any credit unless there are extenuating circumstances.
If, for emergency reasons, you are unable to turn in your assignment on time, inform me immediately. (Contact me at least 24 hours prior to when the assignment is due. Ten minutes prior is not acceptable.)
Please note that late assignments without prior approval will not be accepted and therefore not evaluated. Finally, if I do approve a late assignment, it will not receive full credit.
Scheduled Work
This class requires you to work on numerous activities throughout the semester. To be successful, it is important for you to keep up with the schedule and check it frequently. While the instructor reserves the right to make changes as the semester progresses, we will always discuss and agree to major changes in the schedule.
Turning in Work
Do your own work. Do not work on an entire assignment step-by-step with other students (unless directed by the instructor). Identical errors or copying in any work will result in a grade of zero for all involved parties. Finally, all students are treated equally and fairly. There will be no make-up work or extra projects for any individual student.
Attendance
Sessions are premised on your presence. Sessions include information far beyond that found in the texts. Therefore, I expect you to be here. A pattern of absences and/or lateness will have an impact on your grade.
Remember, if you miss a class you are still responsible for any material and class work that you miss.
Ultimately, the class needs you here, and you need to be here. There is no way to duplicate class instruction and discussion. Missing classes can result in serious problems that show up in your assignments. Finally, although there are no guarantees, we will have fun every once in awhile (believe it or not).
Participation
To participate, you must be present and pay attention to the class task or discussion. Class comments are assessed on quality, not quantity--to a point.
Respect and Intellectual Freedom
Many opportunities for debate and discussion abound in this course. You also will have many opportunities to work with classmates who espouse different views and opinions. While we can always discuss ideas and issues openly, we must also respect one another as human beings.
Responsibility
You are, of course, responsible for your individual work in this class. However, if you are working on a group project, you are also responsible to others as well and need to do your share.
Academic Integrity
Absolute academic integrity is expected of all students. Your catalog spells out definitions of academic dishonesty (pages 54-55). Note especially the definition of plagiarism that is "presenting the work of another as [your] own. (This definition includes material taken from electronic sources.) There are also definitions found in your Student Code at
Also please note the University's policy on computer misuse: "Computer misuse is disruptive or illegal use of computer resources." Any evidence of academic dishonesty may be pursued by the instructor.
Communication
WebCT, Course Website, and Class E-mail Account
You are responsible for reading the postings and announcements on WebCT and the WebCT Discussion Board, and checking your class e-mail account. You should also check the Course Site for resources, schedule updates, special instructions on assignments, etc. Keeping up to date with that material is almost as important as attending class.
WebCT Discussion Board
The preferred means of electronic communication for this course. Use the board to ask questions concerning the course work, pose ideas about technology, share useful Web sites, discuss class challenges, etc. I will also post all announcements in WebCT.
Please use the WebCT mail or your class account for all course-related correspondence.
If you leave e-mail, in most cases you will have a response within 24 hours after I receive the e-mail. Use the subject line to help me identify an e-mail is coming from this course. Putting BIS 555 at the beginning will help me sort my numerous daily e-mails and address yours. For example, you might use the following Subject line:
Subject: BIS 555 -- Illness
You can access WebCT mail via WebCT or use your class account.
Virtual Office Hours
I will hold virtual sessions as necessary (usually once a week once we get started). These will be conducted via the WebCT Virtual Office (like IRC). I will announce sessions in WebCT.
Voice Mail
If you must leave a voice mail message, begin by stating the day and time you are placing the call, and enunciate clearly. Provide enough information so that it is easy to understand the purpose of your call. If you wish your call returned, leave your number and the times you can be reached.