No abstract

As early adopters of an emerging technology, the Tablet PC (TPC), certain University of Houston Information Systems Technology faculty began to integrate TPCs into the undergraduate curriculum in Fall 2003. Classroom experiences revealed the tool as particularly engaging to Information Systems Technology students. Thus, the authors now believe that TPCs have great potential to improve critical thinking skills of Information Systems Technology students if activities can be developed that capitalize on the inherent capability of the TPC to support visualization.We have just begun a formal investigation of the effectiveness of the TPC as an instructional tool that facilitates the development of critical thinking and learning skills in undergraduate Information Systems Technology students. The investigation extends previous work on the effectiveness of mind maps for improving critical thinking and problem solving skills by combining the visual learning technique of mindmapping with the emerging technology of the TPC and pen-enabled mindmapping software. The research question to be answered is: Do critical thinking skills of Information Systems Technology students improve when mindmapping activities are incorporated into the classroom and delivered via technology?In this paper, we first provide background information on the development of critical thinking and learning skills, the role of visual learning in the development of critical thinking and learning skills, and visual learning tools and techniques such as semantic networks, concept mapping, and mind mapping. We then describe the scope of the project we are undertaking and provide initial results of development efforts to create instructional modules and activities focused on mindmaps.

Susan L. Miertschin, M.Ed., M.S.I.S., is an Associate Professor teaching in the Computer Information Systems program at University of Houston. Her teaching interests are in the areas of (1) information systems applications development and the complementary nature of back-end developer and front-end developer skill sets and (2) managing IT services. Her research interests are program and student assessment, the impact of instructional technology on student learning, and the improvement of e-learning environments and experiences.

is an Associate Professor of Information Systems Technology at the University of Houston. She received her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Florida. Her teaching focus is primarily on applications development and database management. Her research interests include curriculum revision processes for career and technology programs; service learning in information technology undergraduate programs and the use of emerging technologies in undergraduate teaching. She has developed curriculum for business education and information technology at the secondary, post-secondary, undergraduate, and graduate levels.

No abstract