When teaching Information Systems (IS), one of the crucial objectives is to make students understand the practical aspects of the integration of IS in organizations. Over the last decades, several pedagogical approaches were introduced to more tightly bridge theory and practice, e.g., hands on exercises, simulations, real world projects, guest…

Offers guidelines for choosing valuable, lasting initiatives to guide organizational change efforts. Highlights include analyzing the total picture by examining the organization's mission; focusing on core departments; changing processes before altering the structure or acquiring technology; setting up effective behavioral contingencies; and…

This discussion of the legal aspects of acquiring a computer system emphasizes the buyer's rights. Guidelines are provided for drafting a contract specific to the individual buyer's needs and modifying the vendor's standard form contract. (EM)

Social studies education has been endangered for a long time, with no aspect more threatened than the elementary program. This situation is problematic in itself, but its effects on the total social studies program are also pernicious. In this article, the author discusses the problems and challenges in social education, particularly in elementary…

Outlines how an information company--the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI)--designed a new building to house its facility. Problems and deficiencies in the old work space were analyzed using a rigorous systems approach, and an open-plan system was devised to allow for optimum space utilization and energy efficiency. (CWM)

For better or for worse, faculty senates remain a critical component of campus governance. Yet an understanding of how senates with various structures and cultures operate in the context of campus governance is limited. Based on site visits to 12 campuses, the author provides four models for understanding faculty senates: functional, influential,…

Piecemeal change to improve schooling is an approach that at its worst does more harm than good, and at its best is limited to creating pockets of good within school districts. When it comes to improving schooling in a district, however, creating pockets of good isn't good enough. Whole school systems need to be improved. This article focuses on…