Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter I
Belief, Inquiry, Argument
and Reflection as
Significant Issues in
Learning about
Information Systems
Development
Methodologies
David A. Banks
University of South Australia, Australia
ABSTRACT
This chapter examines some of the issues that are driving the development of a master's
course designated as “Information Systems Development Methodologies.” The course
takes a “reality as a social construct” view of the world, the purpose of the approach being
to encourage students to challenge assumptions and enhance their abilities to research,
reflect, critique, and develop strong arguments to support their understanding of the
subject area. An interpretive approach such as this can challenge those students whose
experiences of previous educational settings have been more strongly oriented toward rote
or positivistic teaching and learning styles. The chapter outlines a number of approaches
that have been adopted to help students deal with interpretive approaches to learning and
to introduce them to issues of belief, inquiry, argument, and reflection.
