A System to Structure, Measure, and Improve Student Development
Munir Mandviwalla, David Schuff, Laurel Miller, Manoj Chacko
Abstract
In this paper, we develop and evaluate a novel system and computing platform to structure, measure, and improve student development using points. We define student development broadly as the achievement of learning to do, know, live together, and be. The system leverages individual agency, social influences, content generation and sharing, institutional requirements, and gamification as development mechanisms. We apply complex adaptive systems theory as a design concept to integrate the development mechanisms. The paper expands student development theory, justifies the key design mechanisms embedded into the platform, documents an extensive evaluation process, proposes generalizable design principles, and discusses the role of points as a direct measure of student development.
IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, Volume: 16, Issue: 6, December 2023, 1001 – 1013.
Generating and Justifying Design Theory
Munir Mandviwalla
Abstract
This paper applies Simon’s (1996) sciences of the artificial to elaborate a set of structures and processes for developing design theory. Goals, kernel theory, and artifacts inform an inter-related prototyping cycle of design, evaluation, and appropriation / generation to produce strategic design theory. The paper identifies DSR project types to provide signposts for starting and ending the cycle, artifact and evaluation iteration to facilitate the process and provide a chain of evidence, a simplified format for representing design theory iterations, and stopping rules to end the cycle. We use a detailed example to illustrate the ideas, discuss related work, and identify limitations and future research opportunities.
Journal of the Association for Information Systems (JAIS), Volume 16, Issue 5, pp. 314-344, May 2015.
Improving the peer review process with information technology
Munir Mandviwalla, Ravi Patnayakuni, and David Schuff
Abstract
Peer review is the engine of scholarship where new knowledge is legitimized. Despite technological advances in publishing and communication, the process of review has not changed since it became prevalent over 100 years ago. This paper describes how information technology can be used to improve the peer review process. Taking a combined design science and natural science approach, we design and test a prototype system based on the principles of structured communication. Through an exploratory study, we find that our proposed system is viewed more favorably by both authors and reviewers across several dimensions, including fairness, convenience, and value.
Decision Support Systems, vol. 46, issue 1, December 2008, 29-40.