‫المملكة العربية السعودية‬
‫وزارة التعليم العالي‬
‫جامعة االميرة نورة بنت عبد الرحمن‬
‫كلية علوم الحاسب والمعلومات‬
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Higher Education
Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University
College of Computer & Information Sciences
IS311 - Homework#1
Your Name – your ID – section#
Q1. Understanding the Information System
A library makes an excellent information systems model. It serves as a very large information storage
facility with text, audio, and video data archives. Look up the definitions for each term listed below
and briefly explain a library's equivalents.
Students will more easily grasp advanced concepts once they learn to think in terms of the basic
information systems structures. This exercise takes a familiar system and breaks it down into an
information system's components. This exercise makes an excellent in-class discussion topic where
students can expand each other's ideas. Consider substituting any common information system in
place of a library. Alternative examples might include video rental stores, class registrations
systems, and voting systems.
a) Input
A library's inputs consist of the items it receives for its collection. These items may consist of books,
periodicals, maps, microfiche, DVDs, CDs, and many others. Inputs also consist of creating and
maintaining patron's accounts.
b) Processing
A library's main processes revolve around checking out and checking in items from its collection.
Additional processes include adding new items into the collection, purging dated, duplicate, or
damaged items from the collection, photocopying or reproducing materials, facilitating inter-library
loans, sending overdue notices, assisting patron's accounts, and repairing damaged items.
c) Output
A library's outputs consist of any information that leaves the library. This may take the form of item
loans, photocopies, and even hand-written notes.
d) Storage
A library's storage systems include shelves for books, stacks for periodicals, file drawers for
microfiche, hard drives for databases, and racks for CD's and DVD's.
1
‫المملكة العربية السعودية‬
‫وزارة التعليم العالي‬
‫جامعة االميرة نورة بنت عبد الرحمن‬
‫كلية علوم الحاسب والمعلومات‬
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Higher Education
Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University
College of Computer & Information Sciences
e) Control
A library's control systems include periodic inventories, anti-theft devices, and security cameras.
f)
Feedback
A library's feedback systems include circulation, patronage, and loss statistics. Librarians use this
information to help identify popular items, plan staffing levels, and develop strategies to reduce
loss. In short, librarians use this information to help the library run more effectively and efficiently.
Q2. Skydive Chicago: Efficiency and Feedback
Skydive Chicago ( www.SkydiveChicago.com ) is one of the United States’ premier skydiving resorts,
serving skydivers ranging in skills from first-time jumpers to internationally
competitive freefly teams.Each student in Skydive Chicago’s training program makes a series of
progressive training jumps under the direct supervision of a United States Parachute Association–
rated jumpmaster. The training program gears each jump in the series toward teaching one or two new
skills.Jumpmasters video their students’ jumps. Students use the feedback these videos provide to
identify mistakes. They often copy their videos onto a personal tape for future reference.
Jumpmasters may also copy well-executed student skydives to the facility’s tape library. All students are
given access to the dropzone’s training room and are encouraged to watch video clips in preparation for
their next training jump. This step saves jumpmasters, who are paid per jump, considerable time.
Jumpmasters also use these videos to evaluate their training method’s effectiveness.
a) How can this information system benefit the skydiving student?
Benefits:



Faster learning – students see what they are doing right and wrong
Improved safety – fewer mistakes results in greater safety
"Free" video souvenir – students can make and keep copies of their videos
b) How can this information system benefit Skydive Chicago?
Benefits:




Marketing – student videos make great promotional tools
Safety – students learn faster and make fewer mistakes
Reduced labor – instructors don't have to spend as much time with students
Instructor feedback – instructors can see the results of their training efforts
c) Draw the information systems model (Figure 1.19, the information system model). Fill in your
diagram with people, hardware, software, etc. information from this exercise.
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‫المملكة العربية السعودية‬
‫وزارة التعليم العالي‬
‫جامعة االميرة نورة بنت عبد الرحمن‬
‫كلية علوم الحاسب والمعلومات‬
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Higher Education
Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University
College of Computer & Information Sciences
Diagram Element
Detail
People resources
Student / jumpmaster
Software resources
Record, play, and copy video.
Hardware resources
Video camera, VCR, VHS tape
Network resources
VCR and camera cables
Data resources
Video
Input
Video of jump
Process
View, copy video
Output
Copy to student, copy to library
Storage
VHS tape video library
Control
Management policy, training room library access
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