Questions
1. You have just been hired to work in a brand new family-owned and family-run gasoline station called “Blast Gas” in College Park, Maryland. You know the value of information systems and want to convince the owner (who knows only how to manage a gas station) that it can help the business. List at least four specific strategies involving the business use of information systems so that the gas station may gain a competitive edge. Also, for each strategy, give an illustrative IT example that can apply to the gas station.
2. Identify and describe four technologies developed and/or advanced by Google and explain how it impacts society positively and negatively. At least one must be related to networks and at least one should be related to mobile technology.
3. When making decisions about how to acquire hardware, software, or any other components of the IT Infrastructure, consideration is given to the following four characteristics of an IT infrastructure:
• Dependable • Manageable • Adaptable • Affordable
Evaluate cloud computing in relation to each of these four criteria.
4. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) consists of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Transportation Security Administration, United States Coast Guard and the United States Secret Service.
The DHS strategic plan states: “The Department of Homeland Security’s overriding and urgent mission is to lead the unified national effort to secure the country and preserve our freedoms. While the Department was created to secure our country against those who seek to disrupt the American way of life, our charter also includes preparation for and response to all hazards and disasters.”
Explain both data warehouses and data mining and describe how they could be used in DHS.
5. Create and describe in detail a unique and original app related to social media (no games or businesses). Or describe in detail enhancements you would make to an existing social media app. Be specific in your explanation. Instructions
1. Each question is worth 20 points and you can earn up to 100 points. This exam is worth 25% of your grade.
2. Each answer should be complete and respond to all facets of the question. Each answer shall be no longer than 2 pages (this is a guideline, the goal is to be concise yet thorough), double spaced, 12 pt. font, with 1 inch margins. State your assumptions if needed. Each question should have a minimum of 2 in-text citations.
3. Do not include the question in your answer. Simple use the question number and begin your response.
4. The deliverable must be APA compliant and include at least two references for each question. Place your reference list at the end of the exam. It must be APA formatted.
5. Include an APA compliant cover page.
6. Post your answer file (DOC or DOCX only) file in the LEO Assignment area by the end of the session, Sunday night 11:59 pm EST.
Readings
Week 1:
Readings: • Turban, Ch. 1 – A Look Toward the Future of Information Technology; • Turban, Ch. 2 (skip Sections 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5) – Information Management and IT Architecture • Lecture Notes - IT Foundations
Week 2:
Readings: • Turban, Ch. 7 - Mobile Technologies and Commerce; • Turban, Ch. 8 – Web 2.0 and Social Media • Lecture Notes - Mobile and Internet Technology Trends
Week 3:
Readings: • Turban, Ch. 3 – Database, Data Warehouse and Data Mining • Lecture Notes - Data Resource Management
Week 4:
Readings: • Turban, Section 2.4 on Cloud Computing Services; Section 2.5 on Virtualization and VM; and • Turban, Ch. 4 – Networks, Collaboration and Sustainability • Lecture Notes - Network Systems and Cloud Services
Criteria Excellent (90-100) Good (80-89 Poor (70-79)
Question 1 • All 4 strategies are identified. • Consistently well thought out, complete and accurate answer. • Response is clear and concise. • In-text citations are properly included. • Citation is properly included on reference page. • No writing errors. • 3 of the strategies are identified. • Generally, well thought out, complete and accurate answer. • Answer lacks some clarity and/or conciseness. • In-text citations are not properly included. • Citation is not properly listed on reference page. • Few minor writing errors. • 2 or less strategies are identified. • Not much thought given, incomplete and/or inaccurate answer. • Answer is not clear or concise. • Poor or no in-text citations included. • Multiple errors on reference page. • Several writing errors.
Question 2 • All descriptions thoroughly describe positive and negative impact of the technologies. • Response is clear and concise. • In-text citations are properly included. • Citation is properly included on reference page. • No writing errors. • Descriptions generally describe positive and negative impact of the technologies. • Answer lacks some clarity and/or conciseness. • Citation is not properly listed on reference page. • Few minor writing errors. • Descriptions are not complete or do not describe all aspects of the technologies. • Answer is not clear or concise. • Poor or no in-text citations included. • Multiple errors on reference page. • Several writing errors.
Question 3 • All 4 criteria are thoroughly explained illustrating reflective and analytical thinking (no evidence of copying and pasting).
• Response is clear and concise. • In-text citations are properly included. • Citation is properly included on reference page. • No writing errors. • All 4 criteria are generally explained illustrating some reflective thinking (some evidence of copying and pasting). • Answer lacks some clarity and/or conciseness. • Citation is not properly listed on reference page. • Few minor writing errors. • Not much thought given to explaining the criteria and/or inaccurate explanations. • Answer is not clear or concise. • Poor or no in-text citations included. • Multiple errors on reference page. • Several writing errors.
Question 4 • Data warehousing and data mining are thoroughly explained. • Suggestions on how DHS can use this technology illustrate critical, analytical and/or original thinking. • Response is clear and concise. • In-text citations are properly included. • Citation is properly included on reference page. • No writing errors. • Data warehousing and data mining are broadly or generally defined. • Suggestions on how DHS can use this technology are very broad, show some evidence of critical or analytical thinking (some evidence of cutting and pasting). • Answer lacks some clarity and/or conciseness. • Citation is not properly listed on reference page. • Few minor writing errors. • Data warehousing and data mining definitions are incomplete and/or inaccurate • Suggestions on how DHS can use this technology are very general and lack analytical thought. • Answer is not clear or concise. • Poor or no in-text citations included. • Multiple errors on reference page. • Several writing errors.
Question 5 • The app (or enhancements) and its uses are described in detail are technically sound. • Reflects sound research or creative and original thought. • Response is clear and concise. • In-text citations are properly included. • Citation is properly included on reference page. • No writing errors. • The app (or enhancements) and its uses are very generally described. Some level of technical soundness. • Reflects some effort in research or some amount of creativity. • Answer lacks some clarity and/or conciseness. • Citation is not properly listed on reference page. • Few minor writing errors. • The app (or enhancements) are superficially described. Not technically sound. • Lacks sound research and/or lacks creative or original thought. • Answer is not clear or concise. • Poor or no in-text citations included. • Multiple errors on reference page. • Several writing errors.