Peer Review

Information Systems for Business and Beyond

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Reviewed:: Jan 31, 2017 by Business

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: This book is written as an introductory text, meant for those with little or no experience with computers or information systems. While sometimes the descriptions can get a little bit technical, every effort has been made to convey the information essential to understanding a topic while not getting bogged down in detailed terminology or esoteric discussions.
Type of Material:: Open Textbook / PDF File
Recommended Uses:: This PDF is an excellent introduction to most IT/IS concepts spanning hardware, software, networking, databases, information security, etc. The text would work well in an introductory computer course where students would be less likely to have a broader understanding of computer terminology, concepts. This text also contains good background informational and historical contexts to see how concepts evolved.
Technical Requirements:: You need the ability to read a PDF document, and a printer to print the text
Identify Major Learning Goals:: - Can learn about the basic terminology of information technology - Can learn what encompasses an information system - How information systems help provide strategic advantage - How information systems have shrunk the globe, created ethical issues, and are changing the future of information technology
Target Student Population:: This text would serve high-school or 100/200 level college courses or those without a background in computer science or information technology. Those with a current understand of concepts but without a historical perspective could also benefit from this text.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: None.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: - This work is comprehensive and incorporates pictures that enhance the written material. - There is sufficient breadth and depth to the document to where it can be used as a stand-alone document or a reference piece. - The topics are each covered in such a way that a beginning user can quickly and easily make sense of the section and the sections are woven together (e.g., hardware then software, etc.) to logically tell a story. - The book uses current examples - One can use the material for reading, reflections, writing assignments, presentations, discussion
Concerns:: - The material does seem to have a historical slant. In other words, the sections may go further back in time than necessary at the expense of discussion about the future of computing. For example, USB thumb drives mentioned but not as the most common form of removable storage. - In addition, the blurred lines between tablets and computers (Microsoft Surface, Dell 2-N-1, etc.) are not mentioned as well as the Raspberry Pi or other more nano-like computers. - A focus on the future of computing may be as important as the past which is thoroughly described. - Has some research cited, but would have expected more in a textbook format - Could be a bit over the head of some students, but with good in class lecture, this can be overcome - Has some links to web content and could have more links to make sure that students see examples on the web or provide even more explanations

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

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Strengths:: - This document is an easy read for a novice to intermediate computer user. Even an expert computer user may learn about the history of some concerns that were not previously known. - This document is organized well, authored in such a way as to avoid over explanation but is technically sufficient as to not sacrifice accuracy. - Has excellent learning objectives - each chapter has a nice list of objectives - Does not need any prerequisite knowledge - Could easily be integrated into classroom assignments
Concerns:: - Within the major chapters, the material may not always relate to previous chapters - It could be difficult for a faculty member to use the whole text for their course objectives, thus a faculty has to be careful about how the text is integrated into class - The material could easily get outdated fast, technology moves at lightening speed so making sure the links work is going to be a challenge - The aesthetic of the PDF could be enhanced.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: - This material loads on and PDF-capable device (e.g., computer, tablet, etc.). - The document is comprehensive and serves as a quick reference guide, study guide, or excellent introduction to computing. - The format is easy to read and digest in short sections - It is an interactive document - a student can link to other resources online - The document is not just text - it has good graphics in it as well
Concerns:: - If a student needs to read this with assisted technology I am not sure they would be able to read graphics, etc - The links could easily get outdated, unless the authors are the authors of the online content as well - At a high level, this document is good, but there can be many in depth conversations about certain topics so a faculty member has to be strategic on how they want to use the document in class

Other Issues and Comments:: This piece is well written and is a wonderful resources for students and beyond. I can see giving this document to just about anyone who is not familiar with a computer and within a short period of time can 'talk the talk' of technology.
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