Thomas W. Ferratt

Teaching

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Courses Taught Recently at the University of Dayton

 

MIS380. SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND RE-ENGINEERING and
MBA665. SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN (jointly offered):  Concepts, methods, techniques, and tools needed to initiate a systems development project and to conduct the requirements collection, analysis, and structuring activities of systems development. Structured life cycle and alternatives.

MIS 225. PROGRAMMING FOR BUSINESS SYSTEMS: Process of software development for object-oriented business system implementation. Fundamental programming concepts including program design, documentation, development, and testing of computer solutions of business problems using Java.

MBA 693. MANAGING INFORMATION AND PEOPLE IN ORGANIZATIONS: This course addresses two key resources in business organizations: information technology and people. It draws from the fields of management information systems, organizational behavior, and organization theory. Students focus on understanding how managing information, organization design, information technology, and human resources in an integrative manner can enhance the productivity of knowledge workers and work groups/teams, as well as the effectiveness of contemporary organizations.

MIS465. MIS PROJECT 1: ANALYSIS AND DESIGN IN TEAMS: First of a two-course sequence. Team participation/management and project management skills. Apply these skills in teams to perform an analysis and preliminary re-design of an existing organization's information system. Emphasis on written and oral communications, including team-prepared reports and presentations.

MIS475. MIS PROJECT II: DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION IN TEAMS: Continuation of MIS 465. With its organizational client, each team carries its project as far as possible towards final design and actual implementation. Emphasis on written and oral communications, including team-prepared reports and presentations.

MIS175. INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS APPLICATIONS: PROBLEM SOLVING WITH VISUAL TOOLS: Introduction to the role of information technology (IT) in business, graphical user interface design using a visual programming language (Visual Basic), and programming based on principles of problem-solving. 

 


Courses Taught Previously

 

I have taught several management information systems (MIS) courses during my teaching career: introductory courses on computers and management information systems, undergraduate and graduate project courses on systems analysis and design, graduate courses on management information systems for MBA students, and an MIS doctoral seminar on research methodology. During my tenure at the University of Dayton, I have co-taught five different courses with eight other faculty. Prior to focusing on MIS, I also used other strengths in my background to teach various courses in organizational theory and behavior, production and operations management, business policy, and research methodology.


Student Evaluations

 

On a 0-4 scale, with 4 as the highest possible score, the courses I have taught at the University of Dayton have averaged 3.0, with the following breakdowns: organization and presentation (preparation, clear and audible, clearly presented, interesting, goals defined, coordinated and organized), 3.0; grading, testing and assignments (fair grading, relevant assignments, exams related to emphasized material, grading on time), 2.9; respect for students (open to student expression, willing to help students, respects students), 3.2; and overall evaluation (overall course rating, overall instructor rating, amount of learning, course met its objectives), 2.9.


Curriculum Development

 

Given changes that are occurring in the MIS field, particularly via outsourcing of various information systems activities, it is time for MIS programs to strategically review curricular offerings, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels.  I have recently worked with colleagues at the University of Dayton to identify appropriate changes and design courses to meet the needs of students and industry as the field evolves.  I have attempted to make significant contributions to curriculum development at each of the universities where I have taught. Some specific accomplishments are noted below:  

2005-2006. Member of committee to review and revise the undergraduate MIS major curriculum.

1997-99. As Associate Dean for Learning, Technology, and Faculty Development, led revision of classrooms to incorporate technology to enhance teaching and learning.

1995-96. Co-chaired committee to review and revise the undergraduate MIS major curriculum.

1986-93. Proposed and, with support from many others, directed the establishment and expansion of the MIS Advisory Board at the University of Dayton. This group of high level MIS professionals has enhanced our MIS curriculum, e.g., by generating projects for the senior sequence of courses (MIS 465 and 475) and providing speakers for the students' MIS Club.

1989-91. Helped develop and evaluate an innovative course on the management of information systems professionals. A significant part of this course involved on-the-job activities and required that participating students be in a supervisory position. Professor Ritu Agarwal and I received an award from the university's Committee on the Fund for Educational Development for an innovative course design.

1984-85. Contributed to the development of a successful $2 million grant proposal to IBM for funding graduate education in the management of information systems at Indiana University.

1980-82. As chairperson of the management department at Drake University, I initiated and directed a 2-year project leading to a revision of the undergraduate management curriculum.

1978-79. Developed proposal and received approval for a new course on assessing the human condition of organizations. Faculty Development Board Curriculum Development Award received. It supported development of a set of readings on the assessment of the human condition of an organization and computer procedures for teaching about survey instrument validity and reliability.

1976-77. Helped in designing a new MBA course on information systems as well as initiated revisions in the undergraduate introduction to computing course


Professional Seminars and Workshops

 

I have conducted or co-taught sessions on several topics, including recruitment and retention of IT professionals, working across cultures, business re-engineering, managerial use of information technology, differences between information systems (IS) and non-IS people, career planning, achievement motivation, and motivation and productivity. Participants have ranged from technical-professional level employees to high level managers.


Thomas W. Ferratt