Short answer

Incorporate hands-on, experiential learning with open-source software to make complex business systems more tangible and understandable for learners.

Field: Commercial Production
Source: Journal of the Association for Information Systems (2015)
Method: Experimental study
Evidence: Strong effect

Utilizing open-source enterprise and business process management systems in hands-on design projects significantly enhances student comprehension of their real-world operational benefits. This commercial production research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in Journal of the Association for Information Systems. Using Experimental study, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate hands-on, experiential learning with open-source software to make complex business systems more tangible and understandable for learners.

Study

Commercial ProductionHigh ImpactStrong effect

Open-Source Enterprise Systems Boost Business Process Understanding

Utilizing open-source enterprise and business process management systems in hands-on design projects significantly enhances student comprehension of their real-world operational benefits.

Journal of the Association for Information Systems · 2015

Key Findings

01Hands-on learning on open-source systems can lead to improved learning outcomes.
02Experiential learning with open-source systems is feasible for institutions with limited budgets.
03A 'bottom-up' approach to integrating enterprise systems into the curriculum is effective.

Application

Design takeaway

Incorporate hands-on, experiential learning with open-source software to make complex business systems more tangible and understandable for learners.

How to apply

When designing training programs or educational modules for complex software systems, consider using open-source alternatives to provide practical, hands-on experience.

Project actions

01Explore open-source software relevant to your design project's domain.
02Consider how hands-on interaction with a system can deepen understanding of its principles.

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate whether hands-on learning using open-source enterprise and business process management systems improves learning outcomes for students, particularly those new to business concepts.

MethodExperimental study

ProcedureThe project involved implementing open-source enterprise and process management systems within a curriculum to provide students with experiential learning opportunities. The effectiveness of this approach was evaluated through experimental studies comparing learning outcomes.

ContextEducational setting for business students learning about enterprise systems and business process management.

Variables

IVUse of open-source enterprise/business process management systems for hands-on learning.

DVStudent learning outcomes (understanding of enterprise systems and business process management).

CVStudent prior business experience, curriculum content, instructor teaching methods.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Demonstrates a cost-effective method for experiential learning.
+Provides a practical 'bottom-up' approach for curriculum integration.

Limitations

The specific open-source tools chosen might have their own unique interfaces and workflows that differ from commercial equivalents.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity relies on robust experimental design and appropriate metrics for measuring learning outcomes. Reliability would be enhanced by replication across different student cohorts and institutions.

Think critically

How might the specific features or limitations of a particular open-source system influence the learning outcomes compared to a commercial equivalent?

Design Principles

"Leverage accessible technologies for practical, experiential learning to demystify complex systems and improve comprehension."

This research highlights a practical approach for educational institutions to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in complex business systems. By leveraging accessible open-source tools, designers and engineers can create more effective learning experiences that foster deeper understanding and skill development without prohibitive costs.

What This Means for Your Design

Using free, open-source business software in class helps students understand how big business systems work better than just reading about them.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when justifying the use of open-source tools for practical learning or prototyping in your design project.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The use of open-source enterprise and business process management systems has been shown to significantly enhance learning outcomes through experiential learning, demonstrating that practical engagement with complex systems can be achieved cost-effectively (Jewer & Evermann, 2015). This approach allows for a 'bottom-up' integration of key concepts, making them more accessible to students.

Source

Journal of the Association for Information Systems

Enhancing Learning Outcomes through Experiential Learning: Using Open-Source Systems to Teach Enterprise Systems and Business Process Management

journal · 2015

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about open-source enterprise systems boost business process understanding?: Incorporate hands-on, experiential learning with open-source software to make complex business systems more tangible and understandable for learners. Evidence: Journal of the Association for Information Systems (2015).
Why does "Open-Source Enterprise Systems Boost Business Process Understanding" matter for design?: This research highlights a practical approach for educational institutions to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in complex business systems. By leveraging accessible open-source tools, designers and engineers can create more effective learning experiences that foster deeper understanding and skill development without prohibitive costs.
How can designers apply this research?: Incorporate hands-on, experiential learning with open-source software to make complex business systems more tangible and understandable for learners.
What were the main findings?: Hands-on learning on open-source systems can lead to improved learning outcomes.. Experiential learning with open-source systems is feasible for institutions with limited budgets.. A 'bottom-up' approach to integrating enterprise systems into the curriculum is effective.
What research method was used?: Experimental study.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2015 journal from Journal of the Association for Information Systems.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing training programs or educational modules for complex software systems, consider using open-source alternatives to provide practical, hands-on experience.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on beginning business students, and the findings may not directly translate to advanced learners or different disciplines. The specific open-source systems used may also influence outcomes.