Developing collective learning extension for rapidly evolving information system courses

Abstract

Due to rapidly evolving Information System (IS) technologies, instructors find themselves stuck in the constant game of catching up. On the same hand students find their skills obsolete almost as soon as they graduate. As part of IS curriculum and education, we need to emphasize more on teaching the students ‘how to learn’ while keeping the curriculum up to date. Toward this direction, we develop collective learning extension leveraging social media and implement in three IS courses at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Collective learning extension is adaptable to existing learning paradigms. Collective learning extension is not a new learning paradigm but it is supporting the existing learning paradigms. Collective learning extension creates a curriculum development strategy that produces a nimble curriculum adaptive to the rapidly evolving technologies. It encourages collaborative and participatory learning among students and promotes self-learning, critical thinking, and non-linear learning skills. Collective learning extension emphasizes teamwork, coordination, and strengthening interpersonal skills, preparing the students as the next-generation workforce. Collective learning extension uses social media technologies for learners. It encourages students for better collaboration. In this research, students experience is evaluated on collective learning extension and data is collected from formative and summative surveys in the class.