An information systems design theory for e-learning

An Information Systems Design Theory for E-Learning http://flickr.com/photos/mushon/197192003/ David Jones http://davidtjones.wordpress.com

http://flickr.com/photos/druclimb/282597447/ Overview The Question The Hole The Method
The cycles
Build it and they will come
Build what they want, fast
Reflections, implications & conclusions

The cycles
Reflections, implications & conclusions Ch 2 Ch 1 Ch 3 Ch 4&5 Ch 6

The cycles

http://flickr.com/photos/oberazzi/318947873/ How do you design , implement and support an information system that effectively and efficiently supports e-learning within an institution of higher education ?

http://flickr.com/photos/themadlolscientist/2543882652/ (Gregor, 2006) Ps Framework ISDT for e-learning Gregor & Jones, 2007 ??? Theory type Says 1. Analysis What is 2. Explanation What is, how, when, where 3. Prediction What is and what will be 4. Explanation & prediction What is, how, why, when, where and what will be 5. Design and action How to do something

http://flickr.com/photos/oberazzi/318947873/ There has been little or no theoretically grounded and rigorous research into the structures and processes required to encourage the adoption of e-learning and to facilitate disseminate knowledge at the organisational level (Alavi & Leidner, 2001) More models, that demonstrate the transferability and scalability of e-learning, are required (Salmon, 2005)

http://flickr.com/photos/nnova/2236873782/ 2 generations action research 1996-2004 Reflect Plan Act Watch Webfuse 7 publications 27 publications ISDT PsFramework

Recognition by senior management http://flickr.com/photos/dougtone/3009783534/ Great staff adoption Inside Outside Greater flexibility and resilence Innovation Customisation to context Increased trust

The cycles
Reflections, implications & conclusions A summary

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zamario/338382819/ E-learning orthodoxy By adopting a single domineering concept of method all our thinking…becomes imprisoned by this one concept…..It limits not only our understanding , but our empirical observations …. can cause us to ignore activities that do not fit within a methodical frame (Truex, Baskerville & Travis, 2000)

http://flickr.com/photos/tonymangan/754511201/

http://flickr.com/photos/rcstanley/30366555/

http://flickr.com/photos/fatmandy/267252461/

http://flickr.com/photos/blakeimeson/2743011812/

http://flickr.com/photos/boskizzi/3241710/ Orthodoxy showing signs of management fads, fashions and bandwagons (Birnbaum, 2000; Pratt, 2005) Home built systems Blackboard or WebCT Open source LMS 1995-2000 1999/2000 – 200? 2005-?? (Australia, UK, USA, NZ, Canada)

http://flickr.com/photos/emagic/56206868/

http://flickr.com/photos/nelsonlai/1258727102/ It is realistic to recognize that implementing e-learning is a hugely complex undertaking with multiple contexts and stakeholders—and risks. (Pittard, 2004)

http://flickr.com/photos/boskizzi/3241710/ Management fashion is "relatively transitory collective beliefs , disseminated by the discourse of knowledge entrepreneurs, that a management technique is at the forefront of rational management progress” (Abrahamson and Fairchild, 2003) Amplified by hyperbole…, the fashionable vision may exert a strong , if transitory, normative pul l among managers. (Swanson and Ramiller, 2004)

Awareness Test http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYl_yQZq1HY

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zamario/338382819/ E-learning orthodoxy By adopting a single domineering concept of method all our thinking…becomes imprisoned by this one concept…..It limits not only our understanding , but our empirical observations …. can cause us to ignore activities that do not fit within a methodical frame (Truex, Baskerville & Travis, 2000)

http://flickr.com/photos/toneray/2509037534/ (Mischra and Koehler, 2006) Having a framework goes beyond merely identifying problems with current approaches; it offers new ways of looking at and perceiving phenomena and offers information on which to base sound, pragmatic decision making. Theory for understanding (Gregor, 2006)

http://flickr.com/photos/joits/225824796/ The Ps Framework A decision/ sense making to aid understanding of institutional implementation of e-learning (Jones, 2008; Jones, Vallack & Fitzgerald-Hood, 2008)

http://flickr.com/photos/joits/225824796/ Past experience People Place Product Process Purpose Pedagogy

http://flickr.com/photos/joits/225824796/ Place Pedagogy Process Purpose Product Past Experience People

http://flickr.com/photos/joits/225824796/ Use the Ps Framework To highlight the moon-walking bear To understand

http://flickr.com/photos/rcstanley/30366555/ Most HEIs are struggling to engage a significant percentage of students and staff in e-learning (Salmon, 2005) There remain concerns about the quality of the learning and teaching and about the return on the investment in e-learning (Bates, 2009)

http://flickr.com/photos/fatmandy/267252461/ … not particularly innovative, may limit the incentive to innovate, limited in quality and may restrict the ability to integrate with other systems (Alexander, 2001; Anonymous, 2004; Paulsen, 2002

http://flickr.com/photos/drift-words/11846265/ Surprise has been expressed at how quickly university learning and teaching…has been modified to incorporate the use of learning management systems (West, Waddoups, Graham, 2006)

almost universal adoption of just two different commercial LMSs by the Australian higher education sector (Coates, James & Baldwin, 2005) http://flickr.com/photos/digital_freak/183688774/

http://flickr.com/photos/boskizzi/3241710/ Orthodoxy showing signs of management fads, fashions and bandwagons (Birnbaum, 2000; Pratt, 2005) Home built systems Blackboard or WebCT Open source LMS 1995-2000 1999/2000 – 200? 2005-??

As of 2005 almost every higher education institution is planning to make use of an LMS (Salmon, 2005) http://flickr.com/photos/cloud_nine/15354825/

http://flickr.com/photos/cloud_nine/15354825/ LMS are based on an overly simplistic understanding of the relationship between teachers, knowledge and student learning. (Coates, James, Baldwin, 2005)

http://flickr.com/photos/cloud_nine/15354825/ No LMS supports student critical thinking, generation of knowledge and collaborative teamwork (Bonk & Dennen, 1999)

http://flickr.com/photos/cloud_nine/15354825/ T ools are never value-neutral but are replete with values and potentialities which may cause unexpected responses (Westera, 2004) LMS design embeds particular world views (Dron, 2006)

Some LMS values Based on USA higher education Course Instructors Course offering-based Closed from outside world Web-based Integrated enterprise system Only handle courses with 999 or less students http://flickr.com/photos/wildlifebiologyguy/3085729458/ Based on scarcity – must provide all

http://flickr.com/photos/cloud_nine/15354825/ most commercial systems require the institution to modify its existing practices to accommodate the system (Dodds, 2007)

we should change people's behaviour because information technology systems are difficult to change .. (Sturgess and Nouwens, 2004) http://flickr.com/photos/elycefeliz/3211943653/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zamario/338382819/ Remember this quote? By adopting a single domineering concept of method all our thinking…becomes imprisoned by this one concept…..It limits not only our understanding , but our empirical observations …. can cause us to ignore activities that do not fit within a methodical frame (Truex, Baskerville & Travis, 2000)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zamario/338382819/ It’s about software development methods By adopting a single domineering concept of method all our thinking…becomes imprisoned by this one concept…..It limits not only our understanding , but our empirical observations …. can cause us to ignore activities that do not fit within a methodical frame (Truex, Baskerville & Travis, 2000) There are alternatives

http://flickr.com/photos/extraketchup/459020985/ Developer-based methods Assume adopters will see benefits of new systems and use them (Jones and Lynch, 1999)

http://flickr.com/photos/extraketchup/459020985/ Developer-based methods Assume adopters will see benefits of new systems and use them (Jones and Lynch, 1999) Build it and they will come

Developer-based methods Assume adopters will see benefits of new systems and use them (Jones and Lynch, 1999) Build it and they will come The new product will automatically replace inferior products or systems (Surry and Farquhar, 1997) http://flickr.com/photos/extraketchup/459020985/

http://flickr.com/photos/extraketchup/459020985/ Developer-based methods Assume adopters will see benefits of new systems and use them (Jones and Lynch, 1999) Build it and they will come The new product will automatically replace inferior products or systems (Surry and Farquhar, 1997) Product focus

http://flickr.com/photos/genemoo/2498690521/ Teleological design process (Introna, 1996) Attributes Teleological Ultimate purpose Goal/purpose Intermediate goals Efficiency Design focus Results Designers Explicit designer Scope Part Process Problem solving Problems Complexity/conflict Management Centralised Control Master plan

http://flickr.com/photos/genemoo/2498690521/ Teleological-based design (Introna, 1996) To be teleological is to set and achieve objectives, it is to be purpose driven… Setting goals and achieving them is the essence of "success" in the teleological society

http://flickr.com/photos/genemoo/2498690521/ Teleological-based design (Introna, 1996) To be teleological is to set and achieve objectives, it is to be purpose driven… Setting goals and achieving them is the essence of "success" in the teleological society Strategic planning

http://flickr.com/photos/genemoo/2498690521/ Teleological-based design (Introna, 1996) To be teleological is to set and achieve objectives, it is to be purpose driven… Setting goals and achieving them is the essence of "success" in the teleological society Strategic planning Mission statements

http://flickr.com/photos/genemoo/2498690521/ Teleological-based design (Introna, 1996) To be teleological is to set and achieve objectives, it is to be purpose driven… Setting goals and achieving them is the essence of "success" in the teleological society Strategic planning Mission statements Quality assurance

Teleological-based design (Introna, 1996) To be teleological is to set and achieve objectives, it is to be purpose driven… Setting goals and achieving them is the essence of "success" in the teleological society Strategic planning Mission statements Quality assurance Information systems development and governance http://flickr.com/photos/genemoo/2498690521/

Time Cost Analysis & Design Maintenance Replacement Big up front design (BUFD) (Truex, Baskerville and Klein, 1999) http://flickr.com/photos/i-marco/244541946/

Foundations based on the idea of modernism where human rationality and methods of inquiry can achieve their ultimate purpose of discovering and identifying universal truths (Baskerville, Travis & Truex, 1992) http://flickr.com/photos/michaelsarver/23033010/

Foundations Assumes the aim is to develop stable systems with primary goals of low maintenance and long life spans (Truex, Baskerville and Klein, 1998) http://flickr.com/photos/michaelsarver/23033010/

Foundations Assumes the aim is to develop stable systems with primary goals of low maintenance and long life spans (Truex, Baskerville and Klein, 1998) http://flickr.com/photos/michaelsarver/23033010/ Podcasts

Foundations Assumes the aim is to develop stable systems with primary goals of low maintenance and long life spans (Truex, Baskerville and Klein, 1998) http://flickr.com/photos/michaelsarver/23033010/ Podcasts Blogs and Wikis

Foundations Assumes the aim is to develop stable systems with primary goals of low maintenance and long life spans (Truex, Baskerville and Klein, 1998) http://flickr.com/photos/michaelsarver/23033010/ Podcasts Blogs and Wikis Second Life

http://flickr.com/photos/vernhart/1422048648/ Alternatives?

http://flickr.com/photos/vernhart/1422048648/ (Introna, 1996) Attributes Teleological Ateleological Ultimate purpose Goal/purpose Harmony Intermediate goals Efficiency Homeostasis Design focus Results Means/process Designers Explicit designer Participant Scope Part Whole Process Problem solving Local adaptation Problems Complexity/conflict Time Management Centralised Decentralised Control Master plan Rules/regulators

http://flickr.com/photos/vernhart/1422048648/ (Seely Brown & Hagel, 2005) Push Pull Demand anticipated Demand uncertain Top-down design Emergent design Centralised control Decentralised control Procedural Modular Tightly coupled Loosely coupled Resource centric People centric Restricted participation Open participation Focus on efficiency Focus on innovation Few major re-engineering efforts Rapid, incremental innovation Zero-sum rewards Positive-sum rewards

http://flickr.com/photos/vernhart/1422048648/ (Kurtz & Snowden, 2007) Idealistic Naturalistic Achieve ideal state Understand a sufficient of present to stimulate evolution Privilege expert knowledge, analysis and interpretation Favour enabling emergent meaning at the ground level Separate diagnosis from intervention Diagnosis and intervention intertwined with practice

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zamario/338382819/

The cycles
Reflections, implications & conclusions A summary

Mismatch http://flickr.com/photos/danielkongos/2790446307/

http://flickr.com/photos/danielkongos/2790446307/ E-learning Orthodoxy Product E-learning Reality Process People are not rational Massive change It is a wicked problem …… Universities aren’t a business Academics are knowledge workers Place Purpose Pedagogy Past Experience People

http://flickr.com/photos/danielkongos/2790446307/ The emphasis on rationality, linearity and clarity of purpose embodied within planned change models means that they are unlikely to be successful within higher education …… (Kezar, 2001) Place

The Technology Alliance http://flickr.com/photos/cote/36400135/ (Geoghegan, 1994)

http://flickr.com/photos/autanex/808866285/ How does the mind work? http://www.cognitive-edge.com/blogs/dave/2008/05/a_keynote_in_perth.php People

http://flickr.com/photos/joits/225824796/ Use the Ps Framework To highlight the moon-walking bear To understand

The cycles

http://flickr.com/photos/victornuno/467298464/ Research aims to generate knowledge Expressed as theory

http://flickr.com/photos/themadlolscientist/2543882652/ (Gregor, 2006) Type Question Examples
Analysis
What is? Taxonomies (e.g. Bloom's), frameworks
Explanation
How & Why? Structurational model of technology (Orlikowski 1992)
Prediction
What will be? Org size predicting innovativeness, Moore's Law
Explanation & Prediction
What is, how, why and what will be? Most traditional view of theory, General system theory, TAM
Design & Action
How to do it? Codd's theory of relational database design

Questions about knowledge Domain http://flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/310965213/ Structural/ontological Epistemological Socio-political (Gregor, 2006)

Questions about knowledge Domain http://flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/310965213/ Structural/ontological Epistemological Socio-political (Gregor, 2006) Is it interesting to information systems? What are the boundaries?

Questions about knowledge Domain http://flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/310965213/ Structural/ontological Epistemological Socio-political (Gregor, 2006) Scholars in Information Systems can offer vision on structures and processes to effectively implement technology-mediated learning initiatives (Alavi & Leidner, 2001)

Questions about knowledge Domain http://flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/310965213/ Structural/ontological Epistemological Socio-political (Gregor, 2006) What is theory? How is theory expressed? What is a contribution to knowledge?

http://flickr.com/photos/themadlolscientist/2543882652/ (Gregor, 2006) What is theory? Type Question Examples
Analysis
What is? Taxonomies (e.g. Bloom's), frameworks
Explanation
How & Why? Structurational model of technology (Orlikowski 1992)
Prediction
What will be? Org size predicting innovativeness, Moore's Law
Explanation & Prediction
What is, how, why and what will be? Most traditional view of theory, General system theory, TAM
Design & Action
How to do it? Codd's theory of relational database design

Kernel Theories Meta- Requirements Meta- Design Design Method Testable design product and process hypotheses (Walls, Widmeyer, El Sawy, 1992) How is theory expressed? http://flickr.com/photos/dullhunk/380814854/

Empirical plane Theory plane Artifact Artifact Artifact Artifact Artifact Artifact Theory scope Principles of form/constructs Justificatory knowledge Principles of generation If X has property Z then Q If Y has property Y then P Instantiation Artifact mutability Artifact Artifact Artifact Artifact Artifact Testable hypotheses (Lyytinen, 2008) http://flickr.com/photos/wallyg/438188176/

Questions about knowledge Domain http://flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/310965213/ Structural/ontological Epistemological Socio-political (Gregor, 2006) What is a contribution to knowledge?

Design-science research guidelines (Hevner et al, 2004) Design as artifact Problem relevance Research contributions Design evaluation Research rigor Design as a search process Communication of research http://flickr.com/photos/ross/63787005/

Principles for theory building (Gregor, 2008) Artifact centrality Artifact purposefulness Artifacts are systems Design research variants Differing logics Types of theory Mid-range theorizing Interior and exterior modes http://flickr.com/photos/moonwire/830986515/

Questions about knowledge Domain http://flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/310965213/ Structural/ontological Epistemological Socio-political (Gregor, 2006) How is theory constructed?

http://flickr.com/photos/nnova/2236873782/ 2 generations action research 1996-2008 Reflect Plan Act Watch Webfuse 7 publications 27 publications ISDT PsFramework

Design research and action research are “historically, practically, ontologically, epistemologically and methodologically quite different” (Iivari, 2007) http://flickr.com/photos/jacksonboyle/516196211/

http://flickr.com/photos/zhushman/3040818512/ Design research != Design theory

Questions about knowledge Domain http://flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/310965213/ Structural/ontological Epistemological Socio-political (Gregor, 2006) Is there agreement? Are there ethical issues?

http://flickr.com/photos/zhushman/3040818512/ Design research != Design theory

Socio-political and design research Emphasis on utility (Cole, Purao, Rossi & Sein, 2005) Increase relevance (Hevner, March, Park and Ram, 2004) http://flickr.com/photos/broken_simulacra/95706899/ Role of theory and artifact Is it a paradigm? Is it CS or IS? Yes (Hevner, et al, 2004) Lack of consensus on objectives and outputs of design research (Vaishnavi and Kuechleer, 2004) Is it consulting? (Gregor, 2008) (Venable, 2006) Role of kernel theory (Iivari, 2007)

http://flickr.com/photos/stephenliveshere/483840217/ Is it core?

It is absolutely clear that design science research cannot be (value-free) (Iivari, 2007) Means-end oriented Interpretive Critical http://flickr.com/photos/wonderlane/2090966628/

http://flickr.com/photos/wonderlane/2090966628/ It is absolutely clear that design science research cannot be (value-free) (Iivari, 2007) Means-end oriented Interpretive Critical achieve a rich understanding of how an IT artifact is really appropriated and used and what its effects are, without confining the focus on the given ends of its initial construction

The cycles

(Jones and Gregor, 2004) Action Research Cycles http://flickr.com/photos/garon/2238688001/ Period Title Description 1996 to now Build it and they will come System based on hypermedia templates 1999 to 2004 Give them a reason to come Diffusion theory, design patterns for requirements 2000 to 2004 Build what they want, faster Agile development, design patterns for architecture

http://flickr.com/photos/garon/2238688001/ (Jones and Gregor, 2004) Action Research Cycles Period Title Description 1996 to now Build it and they will come System based on hypermedia templates 1999 to 2004 Build what they want, fast Diffusion theory, design patterns, agile development

By early 1999 60 full-time staff users Total staff???

Only 5 made significant use

1998/99 49% of content requests for 2 courses (1 staff member)

T1, 1998 83% of content was for 1 course

425 teaching staff employed by Infocom (2001-2004)

353 (83%) used system

And 445 from outside Infocom

http://flickr.com/photos/maktownkid/2199965525/

I identify myself as coming from the technophobic extreme of the faculties (I have an Arts background) but even I find the systems the team have set out relatively easy to use ..the precedent of other IT systems made available in Infocom (…) suggests that it would be extremely user friendly for people with very limited computer competence/confidence. (Behrens, Jamieson, Jones and Cranston, 2005)

(Jones, Cranston, Behrens and Jamieson, 2004) The key to easy use of OASIS is that it is not a off the shelf product that is sooooo generic that it has lost its way as a course delivery tool.

the best thing about teaching and learning in this faculty in 2003 would be the development of technologically progressive academic information systems that provide better service to our students and staff and make our teaching more effective. Webfuse and MyInfocom development has greatly assisted staff to cope with the complexities of delivering courses across a large multi-site operation. (CQU, 2004, p21)

The cycles

http://flickr.com/photos/oberazzi/318947873/ How do you design , implement and support an information system that effectively and efficiently supports e-learning within an institution of higher education ?

Hypermedia templates, software wrappers, COTS, OO & design patterns http://flickr.com/photos/dullhunk/380814854/ Distance education and e-learning literature – Ps Framework Diffusion theory, design patterns, agile and ateleological dev. Non func: variety, change, integration. Fun: info dist, communication …. Adopter-focused dev; pattern mining, XP Kernel theories Meta-requirements Design method Hypermedia tmpl, platform indep, open source, design patterns Possible to construct a system using templates as COTS/wrappers. Instantiations will be more flexible, open and customizable. Instantiations will be more acceptable leading to greater adoption. Instantiations will become specific to needs of host organisation Meta-design Hypotheses

Recognition by senior management http://flickr.com/photos/dougtone/3009783534/ Great staff adoption Inside Outside Greater flexibility and resilence Innovation Customisation to context Increased trust

E-learning Ps Framework Pre-evaluating innovations (Jones, Jamieson & Clark, 2003) (Jones, 2008; Jones et al, 2008; Jones et al, 2005; Jones et al, 2007) ISDT IS Practice Scarcity and Abudance IS Research Anatomy of Design Theory (Gregor and Jones, 2007) DT, practice and learning Innovations (Jones, 2002; Jones, 2006) Shadow systems (Jones, Behrens, Jamieson, Tansley, 2004) (Jones & Behrens, 2003) Practice, understanding of ISDT versus ISDR http://flickr.com/photos/voxtheory/2192019057/ ISDT Web App design (Jones & Lynch, 1999)

http://flickr.com/photos/sineout/2491569707/ Action research Impartiality of researcher Lack of discipline Consulting? Context-dependency (Nielsen, 2007) E-learning Not sufficient learning emphasis

http://flickr.com/photos/dullhunk/202872717/

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An information systems design theory for e-learning

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