Information System Assignment: Reflection On Foundation Of IS In Professional Livelihood

Question

Task:
Context
This is an individual information system assignment that tracks your growth as a student of Information Systems over the trimester. It is scaffold around your weekly learning activities. Completing the activities and seeking input from your peers and the learning facilitator is essential for you to achieve a positive result in this subject. Before you start this assessment, be sure that you have completed the learning activities in all of the modules. This reflective report gives you the opportunity to communicate your understanding of how information systems relate to your career and future.

Task Instructions

1. During Module 1 – 5, you were asking to produce a weekly journal to record your learnings each week. Based on these weekly journals, please write a 1500 word reflective report about your experience.
2. You are required to follow the four steps of Kolb’s learning cycle when writing the reflective report.

Answer

Executive Summary
In this reflective report on information system assignment, the highlight should have been given on the experiences that I have faced during the learning session on the fundamentals of Information System. In this report, Kolb's experimental learning cycle has been used to reflect on my experiences that I have gained while learning the fundamentals of the Information System. In this report, the impact of different learning journals has also been included, which are mostly based on the core topics or subjects related to the Fundamental Information system.

Introduction
This report aims to reflect on the foundation of the information system in professional livelihood. People, hardware, software, network, and data-these five are the prime resources of the information system. In this reflect report, the introduction of the basic foundation of the information system and what I have learned from this subject have to be discussed by using Kolb's experimental learning cycle.

Discussion
Kolb’s Experimental Learning Cycle
In 1984, David Kolb published his learning model, which, in the present time, can be used as a framework for reflective practice by considering the prior experiences. Kolb's experimental learning theory has two levels: it is a four-stage learning cycle which primarily focuses on the internal cognitive processes of a learner. According to David Kolb's, "learning can be defined as a process where knowledge is being created through transforming our everyday experiences” (Fewster-Thuente& Batteson, 2018).

The four stages of Kolb’s learning cycle are:

Concentrate experience, where one may encounter with new experiences or situation; reflective observation of new experiences- where importance should be given upon inconsistency between experiences and understandings; Abstract Conceptualisation which reflects on new ideas or modification of existing concept and lastly the active experiment, where the learner gets the scope to apply their idea(s) to real-world (Grady, 2017).

(Fig: Kolb’s Experimental Learning Cycle)
(Source: Fewster-Thuente& Batteson, 2018)

By taking the main concept of Kolb's learning cycle and the core concept of learning journal into consideration, it can be stated that I have been able to gain and concrete experiences from the foundation course of the Information system.

Concentrate Experience
Being a new student, I have no such knowledge or idea about the information system and its importance in Contemporary business. So, it was a completely new experience for me to know about the foundation of the Information system- the importance of data allocation process, analysis, and assessment in contemporary business (Reynolds and Stair, 2016). Though I have prior knowledge about the Customer relationship management and enterprise resource planning, no or few ideas about the information system and data analysis process. So, initially, I was in anxiety whether I could be able to adopt the nitty-gritty or capable to learn the know-how of information system, but my prior knowledge about CRM and enterprise resource planning has helped me a lot to connect my existing skills and abilities with new learning concept. This ultimately has given me an expanded scope to acquire all the foundation of information system along with contemporary business management process easily and smoothly.

Reflective Observation
In the foundation of the information system, the first thing or topic that I have learned about is an introduction to the contemporary business- a tale of transformation and disruption. In this chapter, I have been learned about the importance of customer relationship management and Enterprise resource planning or ERP as the principal ingredient of contemporary business. (Griggs et al., 2018). According to my understanding, ERP or Enterprise Resource Planning is an integrated management system or framework which is used in real time and mediated by software and technology. This understanding might be helpful for me to get more knowledge and practical skill about business automation system and AI. Robotics and AI are now becoming important ingredients for running a business by assessing large data. ERP knowledge that I have earned from the course work will be helpful for me to understand how to use technology and skill for resource plans and allocation to run cloud computing and other business activities in proper way. This opportunity has also given me the scope to continue my learning through a hands-on approach and avail the chance to develop my technical skills and knowledge by knowing the Sales forces in the contemporary business scenario.

Though I was a new-bee to the foundation course of the information system, through a continuous learning process, I have been able to allocate much knowledge, proficiency and skill and data allocation, assessment and data analysis process, and its importance in contemporary business.

Abstract Conceptualisation
This learning course "foundation of Information system" had included several topics: data, information, knowledge management in business and enterprise, CRM and ERP, competitive strategy and business information system, and so on. I have previously mentioned that, though I have very little knowledge about the information system and data analysis process, I have an in-depth idea about the business and enterprise management system, specifically about the CRM and ERP system. Apart from that, during my course work, I have got the scope to develop my technical and practical skills in sales management by taking an active part in sales force and sales activities in real-time business as a trainee. Apart from that, I have some basic knowledge about the use of the Internet in business and e-commerce techniques. So, these knowledge, skills, and ideas that I have earned previously have helped me to be capable enough for developing in-depth knowledge about the information system in a business context, easily. It has helped me to know about how information systems, data analysis process and the Internet can be used to maximise the reach and profit margin of business in contemporary time. It also provides me an in-depth knowledge about how the business information system is linked with competitive strategy and developing value proposition (Lindh & Thorgren, 2016). The introduction to information system in business has helped me know about the practical use of cloud computing in business management process, specifically when it comes to deal with large data. This course work will help me to develop idea about information management, which is important part in business and enterprise to run operational process by managing resources optimally. From this course work, I have developed an idea about CRM or customer relationship management- which is also an integrated data-driven software solution which can improve the way a business can interact with and do business with the customers. This learning course work will benefit to me in future by making me able to how to manage and maintain the customer relationship, to track the sales leads and personal information, marketing, pipeline and deliver actionable data.

Active Experimentation
During this course work, I have to learn about various topics like:

1. The difference between information, data, and knowledge
2. How to use information system and SCRUM in agile practice and contemporary business
3. The importance of CRM and ERP in contemporary business and competitive strategy
4. Understanding the Information system and its importance in business
5. To identify personal traits and skills

During the course work, I discovered that there are several hidden information and concept related to Information systems and business management that I have to learn to become successful in professional livelihood. Proper knowledge and understandings about the information system, Enterprise System –ERP and CRM and Business Intelligence will be helpful for me to know nitty-gritty about the contemporary business management process and technological use in contemporary business. The knowledge about the enterprise resource planning or data driven customer relationship management will be helpful for me to ensure a progress and success in future business aspect as a manager. By developing idea about the foundation of Information System in business scenario, will help me to develop idea about the cloud computing, system, software based resource planning technique, data driven CRM process and in future, this deep understanding will be helpful for me to become a successful manager in contemporary business.

Conclusion
In this reflective report, the focus has been given upon the experiences that I have gained from the course work "fundamental of Information system" in the contemporary business scenario. In this report, Kolb's learning cycle has been used to reflect on my experiences that I have earned through learning the data, information analysis system, and other concepts related to the fundamentals of information systems. In this report, reflection has been given upon my prior knowledge and skills. I already have sound knowledge and a keen interest in CRM and ERP and its importance in contemporary business. Apart from that, I have an interest in learning more about sales management which is considered to be an important part of every business. During this course work, I also have got the scope to develop my practical and technical skills in sales and marketing by using sales force. These knowledge and skills have ultimately helped me to develop sound and concentric ideas about the information system and its use and importance in contemporary business. This coursework and prior business knowledge have also helped me to learn about the importance of Information systems and data analysis and relation to the competitive advantage of the business. This learning report has also helped me to understand that I have to improve my learning skill along with communication skills so that I can earn success and supremacy in professional livelihood, as a manager in real-time business.

References
Fewster-Thuente, L., & Batteson, T. J. (2018). Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory as a theoretical underpinning for interprofessional education. Journal of allied health, 47(1), 3-8.

Grady, D. J. (2017). A critical review of the application of Kolb’s experiential learning theory applied through the use of computer based simulations within virtual environments 2000-2016. State University of New York at Albany.

Griggs, V., Holden, R., Lawless, A., & Rae, J. (2018). From reflective learning to reflective practice: assessing transfer. Information system assignment Studies in Higher Education, 43(7), 1172-1183.

Lindh, I., & Thorgren, S. (2016). Critical event recognition: An extended view of reflective learning. Management Learning, 47(5), 525-542.

Reynolds, G.W. and Stair, R.M., 2016. Fundamentals of Information Systems. Cengage Learning.

Learning Journal: Foundation of Information System
Week 1: 03-06-2020
Topic
Introduction to contemporary business - a tale of transformation and disruption; Introduction to Agile practice
Learning Activities:
Digital Knowledge Quiz

Evidence:

Evidence:

Impact:
This quiz helped me realize how important it is to first check whether the site is secure to accept cookies. Before taking this quiz I always accepted cookies and never paid attention whether its http or https but now I am very careful.

Learning Activity 2:
Individuals using the Internet (% of population)

Evidence:

Impact:
Very surprised to see the growth in number of individuals using internet. This shows more and more people are now digital immigrant.

Week 2: 10-06-2020

Topic:
Introduction to Information Systems in a business context

Learning Activity:
Discussion Forum Post “Are the Most Innovative Companies Just the Ones with the Most Data” by Mayer-Schönberger & Ramge (2018)

Evidence

Impact:
This learning journal has helped me to realize that, we always cannot only depend on data to strive innovation. The knowledge, experience and people aspects are also important to understand a market in better way. This learning journal has also helped me believe that we should rely on my ingenuity and big data to be successful.

Week 3: 17-06-2020

Topic:
Data, information and knowledge management in business and enterprise

Learning Activities:
Discussion Forum Post
In no more than 100 words describe what your previous understanding of the term data was and how it has changed since working through this subject material.

Evidence:

Impact:
This course work has helped me to understand about the data allocation and analysis process in business. It helps me to know that how data and information should be allocated and use optimally by maintaining confidentiality. It also helped to know how to create accurate records by using data and information in contemporary business scenario.

Week 4: 24-06-2020

Topic:
Competitive strategy and business information systems

Learning Activities:
Discussion Forum Post
You will probably have heard people using the term ‘value chain’ before. How has studying Porter’s value chain given you new insights into the concept?

Evidence:

Impact:
This learning journal helped me know about the value chain analysis and its importance in contemporary business. This learning journal has also given me scope to know about the inbound logistic, outbound logistic, Marketing and sales management which are important for any business to maintain properly for acquiring competitive advantages.

Week 5: 01-07-2020

Topic:
Enterprise Systems – ERP & CRM

Learning Activity:
Discussion Forum Post
The website outlines the product capability and features in this product suite intended for small to medium businesses. Looking at the capability, please answer the following questions and give reasons:

1. Based on what you have learned in this module, do you think that this solution is a complete ERP solution? Why do you say this?
2. Looking at the features and capabilities, do you believe that this is an ERP I or ERP II solutions? Why do you say this?

Evidence:

Impact:
I already have knowledge about the enterprise resource planning management system. Though, this learning journal helped me to know the benefits of the process in-depth. The knowledge about the SAP-ERP software has also earned from this journal which support an organisation to integrate and simplify the business processes like finance, manufacturing process and overall operational activities.

Week 6: 08-07-2020

Topic:
Enterprise Systems – Business Intelligence

Learning Activities:
What type of analytics would you advise Jawaharlal to look at as his first step in this process and why?

Evidence:

Impact:
This learning course work helped me to develop my technical and practical skills in marketing management within business. This course work reflects my strength and skills as a manager, as I recommend to the desk manager of a real time organisation about why past event are important to make decision based on statistics and prior data.

Week 7: 15-07-2020

Topic:
Enterprise architecture: decision making

Learning Activities:
Discussion Forum Post
In reviewing the essential resource about Business- IT alignment in Rainer & Prince (2019. p.60) looking at the three major reasons for failure in alignment – which of these reasons do you think is the easiest to address and how would you make a change?

Evidence:

Impact:
It helped me to understand the importance of proper communication skills ability within a business. It also helped me to understand that communication within business should be clear and transparent, so that information can be transmitted to every level for ensuring success of a business.

Week 8: 22-07-2020

Topic:
Applications of business information systems - Presentation Week

Learning Activities:
Please select someone in your class and give them positive feedback about one area that you found worked well in their presentation.

Evidence:

Impact:
This session helped me to develop team working ability along with the understanding about the importance of maintaining mutual understandings and integrity within team and team member.

Week 9: 29-07-2020

Topic:
Review of agile: reflective writing as business practice

Learning Activities:
Discussion Forum Post
Looking back over your group project can you name one specific tool or technique that you would use again in group work? You can use an example that was provided for you, like the parts of the Team Contract, Scrums or even an innovative and fresh way of working that your team decided on.

Evidence:

Impact:
This session helped me to know more about the Scrum Board for group presentation. Through this session, I came to know that this specific software might help me and other team member to track the progress during sprint. This session also helped me to know the importance of keeping continuous track on the outcome of a work, which ultimately will benefit in final outcome.

Week 10: 05-08-2020

Topic:
Ethical, legal and security issues

Learning Activities:
Discussion Forum Post
Please watch the video clip for the essential resource - ‘Watch this hacker break into a company’. The hacker uses a few techniques here in combination to achieve his goal – three in total. Can you identify all three of them and share them in the discussion post? What do you think the victim of this attack could have done differently to avoid being hacked

Evidence:

Impact:
This helped me to understand the importance of maintaining ethics and confidentiality during any course work and within team. It helped me to understand that, before initiation of any work, the primary responsibility will be to ensure the legitimacy of the work and participant must be ensured that all the data that they would collect during work should use only academic purpose.