IS 335 Success Factors

California State University, Northridge

College of Business Administration & Economics

Department of Accounting & Information Systems

IS 335: Information Technology in Business

Success Factors

Spring 2013

Section 12731 (Wednesday 7:00 – 9:45pm)

This page offers students some advice in how to be successful in this course.

1. Attendance

A famous quote¹ goes, “Eighty percent of success is showing up.” You need to come to class. Reading the textbook will not be sufficient preparation for assignments or examinations.
Things will come out in class discussion that are not in any other class materials yet will be on the exam—you won’t have access to this content if you don’t come to class.

2. Arrive prepared.

Showing up is just the beginning. Show up prepared to discuss the topics that will be at hand—one would think that this could go unsaid, but experience has taught me otherwise.
Class discussion will have little meaning if you have not considered the topics of discussion before coming to class.
Preparation goes beyond simply completing the assigned reading. If I’ve given questions regarding the reading, answer them. If I have not given questions, answer the ones at the end of the chapter.
That doesn’t mean that you will end up understanding all of the topics before you come to class. That is what the class meetings are for. I do not consider it my job to stand in front of the class and “read” the textbook to you. My job is to explain it to you.
Don’t hesitate to do further reading and analysis. Search the Internet for more information on a topic. If you find content that contradicts the readings, by all means, bring it to class—that content can spur lively discussion on a topic.

3. Notes, notes and notes.

Now that you’ve prepared and are coming to class, take notes.
Take lots and lots of notes. If you're a bad note taker, get permission from me to record the classroom lecture/discussion. Ask questions in class to clarify any points (if you don’t get a point that we are discussing, likely others are not getting it either; they will be grateful that you asked the question they were afraid to ask). Keep in mind that the exams may contain questions requiring short-answer and essay responses. Ask yourself, do I have enough information in my notes to give an essay answer?
After class: review your notes. If something is fuzzy, first review how the topic is covered in the textbook. If it is still fuzzy or not in the book, stop by and see me. Ask your classmates.
Prior to exam: Review all your notes looking for missing information or unclear concepts. Consult the book, classmates and me. A great memory aid is to rewrite your notes in a narrative format. Besides helping your memory, it will more clearly help you find holes in your notes.

4. Projects and Assignments:

Don't underestimate how long it takes to complete a project. Start early so you can more accurately scope out the project. Technical issues are likely. No extra time will be given due to “technical difficulties”. Leave time to sort out issues with the technology.
Make frequent backup copies of computer files.
Consider this important point: the score you get on your projects is totally under your control. You do not have the time anxiety you have taking an exam. Your project scores reflect the priority you give them.

5. Regarding exams:

Preparation: form a study group. Compare notes. As you go through the notes ask yourself: What question could he ask here? What did he focus attention on in class? Where and what are the trade-offs?
For questions requiring a written response, think before you write. You will be given limited space in which to respond to questions. Be concise in your response while making sure that you answer completely. Even if a one-sentence response is correct, a more thorough response will elaborate on the topic and demonstrate your command of the subject matter.
Avoid “Columbus” responses; that is, don’t let your response wonder off in uncharted directions hoping to land on something interesting.
Never leave an answer blank. I can’t give partial credit to blank spaces.
Make sure you are answering the question asked.
Make sure you answer all parts of each question. (If a question says to describe something and compare it to alternatives, don't forget the “describe” part.)

¹Attributed to Woody Allen.

This WebPage created and maintained by David W. Miller, Ph.D. for exclusive use by students of the course identified above.

The page was last updated on January 23, 2013.