systems analysis and design

ISYS 463 Fall 2020 Information Systems Analysis and Design

ISYS 463 Fall 2020 Information Systems Analysis and Design

ISYS 463 Fall 2020 Information Systems Analysis and Design

Introduction

The goal of the assignments is to promote a deeper understanding of systems analysis and design (SAD). Students will need to demonstrate their knowledge of crucial SAD concepts by creating a screencast or a series of screencasts.

Assignment

Students will need to explain, by creating a screencast or a series of screencasts, some key SAD concepts that have been taught in the class. The section of Assignment Description details how students will complete the assignment.

Assignment Description

Self-explanation is a constructive learning activity that helps learners identify their knowledge gap and build/modify their mental models about a subject such as math, database, and information systems analysis and design. Research has shown a positive correlation between self-explanation activities and learning outcomes. In this assignment, students will practice explaining some key concepts that have been taught by the instructor. Students should use their examples to explain each of the following concepts about systems analysis and design (e.g., use their examples of Data Flow Diagram, including external entities, processes, data flows, and data stores).

Task

• Create a short screencast or a series of screencasts to explain the following concepts/terminologies

o Data Flow Diagram (DFD)

o DFD symbols

o the rules of DFDs

o Spontaneous generation

o Black hole o Gray hole

o Context diagram

o Diagram-0 DFD

o Leveling

o Balancing

Hint: Create your DFD diagrams on Lucid Chart/MS Visio as a visual aid and then create a screencast or a series of screencasts to explain the concepts listed above.

Steps to complete the assignment:

1. Sign up a YouTube account at http://youtube.com if you do not have one.

2. Learn how to use Screencast-O-Matic (SOM).

· Use the screen casting tool, Screencast-O-Matic ( https://screencast -o- matic.com/screen recorder ), to create a screencast or a series of screencasts o You can use the online version by clicking “Start Recording” to create your screencast (see Figure 1). With this option, you may need to install or update the Java Runtime Environment.

Figure 1

3. Start working on Individual Assignment #2.

· Organize your ideas with DFD diagrams (context diagram, diagram 0 DFD with appropriate symbols).

· Rehearse your presentation.

4. Record a screencast or a series of screencasts by using SOM to demonstrate your understanding of designated SAD concepts (DFDs in this assignment). Your presentation can consist of several short screencasts (videos) instead of one long video. However, the total time cannot exceed 10 minutes. It is easier to record and edit short screencasts.

5. Keep your screencasts short and sweet (see the guideline in the high-quality screencasts section).

6. Upload your screencasts to YouTube.

7. Set your YouTube video(s) as “Unlisted,” so other students cannot find your video(s) on YouTube and copy your work.

8. Submit the assignment with the URL of your YouTube video(s) to iLearn.

High-Quality Screencasts

Screencasting is a quick yet effective way to demonstrate new products and features. They instruct the viewer on various topics from a mentor’s view. A poorly produced screencast creates an unpleasant and frustrating viewing experience. Worse, such an experience might confuse the viewers, ultimately failing to instruct the viewers to learn new knowledge or how to do something. The following patterns help screencasters who wish to produce high-quality screencasts without too much time and effort.

1. Rehearsal script

Make a written draft of your screencast script , just like a good instructor who has an agenda of what he would teach for a particular lesson.

2. Short & sweet

Set a time limit on how long the screencast should take so that you can focus on the content at hand without spending too much time on the inconsequential parts of the screencast.

As a rule of thumb, a good screencast should not be longer than 5 minutes . A short and focused screencast is easier for a viewer to follow.

3. Slower pace

To demo something new to the viewers, make a deliberate effort to take about twice as long as you usually would to complete the task. Be sure:

· Do not move the mouse too fast to follow;

· Enunciate your words at a slower pace;

· Briefly pausing to allow the information to sink in;

4. Picture or PPT slides

A static diagram or text illustrates a concept better than a series of actions performed on

screen. So if needed, prepare some pictures, diagrams, or PPT slides for your Screencasts.

5. Video and audio

A Screencast with both video and audio helps users better understand the instructions. Please include both video and audio in your screencast and record screencasts with your voice. Do not use a computer to read a script!

6. Synchronization

Make sure the screen that is being shown is synchronized with your narration. Some viewers may get confused if the screen is not corresponding with the audio description.

Reference

Chen, N., Rabb, M.: A Pattern Language for Screen casting. 16th Conference on Pattern

Languages of Programming, Chicago, Illinois, USA (2009)