Overview of Teaching
Teaching
Philosophy:
Students learn best through active learning and "learning by doing".
My primary area of teaching is database. But I also teach case based and technology
focused graduate level IT strategy courses
CS150
– Intro to Database
Course
Overview: This course was introduced into the CIS curriculum in the
Spring of 2005. It is a general introduction to
information management and relational databases. It teaches the fundamental
concepts of data collection, storage, and retrieval, query/report design and
generation, logical database structures, basic transaction architecture and
system analysis for database design. Students develop and implement database
features using the Microsoft Access 2007 database. This course is taken by non-CIS majors as well
as students that plan to become CIS majors.
CS350
– Database Structures
Course
Overview: This is a course
all CIS majors are required to take. The
course is a hands-on technology course utilizing Microsoft Access 2007 and
Oracle 9i to illustrate the concepts of data management. The course focuses on 1) the creation and
structure of a database in a relational DBMS, 2) the use and maintenance of
data stored in a DBMS, and 3) the generation of relevant queries and
reports.
IA601
– Strategic Information Systems
Course
Overview: IA601 was a required course for MBA students. IA601 examines the role of IT and information
systems in business process performance and
performance improvement, organizational strategic advantage, and industry
transformation. This course places equal
weight on technical and managerial issues, and is intended for participants
with varying degrees of technical knowledge. Its primary objective was to
prepare participants to be effective contributors to IT investment decisions
and implementations either as general managers or as staff/technical
specialists.
GR620 Information Technology for Competitive
Advantage (ITCA)
Course Overview: This is
a required course for daytime MBAs. Students in the class gain an appreciation
for the management issues involved in the use and development of IT in organizations.
This course blends hands-on technology focused classes with case-based
discussion classes.
In
both my CS150 and CS350 courses I have been offering a fourth credit service
learning option. This option allows a
student to work for a non-profit group that needs help in developing, choosing,
populating, or enhancing a database. This
option allows my students to get some real experience to apply their classroom
knowledge, helps the non-profits and expands the students exposure to
non-profits. Often times I team my more advanced students (those in CS350) with
my less advanced students (those in CS150).
This allows the more advanced students to work on their managerial
skills and allows the less advanced students to see additional database
capabilities. These projects have benefited Cradles-to-Crayons, Bentley Model
UN, Dr. Benjamin’s Clinic in Bayou La Batre, Alabama,
More than Words and a tax clinic for low income workers.