Peer Review

Business Information Systems: Design an App for That

Material Detail page

Bookmark

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: This is a full-sized textbook intended to introduce a student to information science and technology.
Type of Material:: Open textbook
Recommended Uses:: Good textbook for introductory IT courses; even more advanced beginning computer literacy/digital literacy courses
Technical Requirements:: Adobe PDF reader; preferably 14" or above screen for reading the content Internet access for portions of the book
Identify Major Learning Goals:: Very thorough introduction to a broad variety of IT and IS concepts Introduction to a range of IT applications, including web page design and Microsoft Office applications.
Target Student Population:: Entry level students in IS or MBA; high school, college level (1-2), students; portions of the book can be used for continuing education
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Entry level computer literacy; familiarity with basics of developing software; background in business is helpful

Rating:
Strengths:: Very thorough textbook, includes a nice variety of hands-on exercises in each chapter to help students retain concepts. Students are given clear examples that may related to their everyday experience (Google Health, Amazon) Key takeaways and exercises are very clearly identified at the end of each chapter Good discussion on communication and visual design C.R.A.P. Principles of Graphic Design (very helpful; the acronym is hilarious)!
Concerns:: Uses specific versions of various applications, instructions for hands-on activities may date quickly. Provide some guidance on selecting an app to design. There are many tools and this course is already really packed for a beginner. Make the application use more general because versions date quickly; instructions for hand on activities will date quickly as well.

Rating:
Strengths:: Varied learning materials with links to news, videos, and text; add more hands on activities.
Concerns:: Instructions date quickly because they are tied to a specific application version. The preface could be more organized.

Rating:
Strengths:: Easy to use PDF book.
Concerns:: Please include a linkable table of contents and identify specific bookmarks for ease of use.

Other Issues and Comments:: Well written content with relevant exercises, clear learning identification and chapter takeaways. Please make the preface clearer and create table of contents.
Creative Commons: