Introducing knowledge-based projects in a systems development course

ABSTRACT

Due to recent advances in knowledge-based systems technology it is suggested that students in a systems development course be given exposure to the concept of designing and implementing knowledge-based systems. The purpose of this paper is to describe the objective, scope, methods and procedures of knowledge-based projects. The first half of the paper introduces the knowledge-based approach and describes the structure and components of such a system. The second half of the paper deals with course design procedures. The scope, topics, project characteristics and experiences pertaining to such a project are covered here. A practical Knowledge-based Systems Development Life Cycle (KSDLC) is also proposed for use in such a course. It is a suitable methodology as it resembles the traditional Systems Development Life Cycle.

REFERENCES

• 1: Terry BahiU and William Ferrell, "Teaching an Introductory Course in Expert Systems", IEEE Expert, Winter 1986, p 59
• 2: Ian H. Witten, A course on “expert systems” for electrical engineering students, Proceedings of the eighteenth SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education, p.257-260, February 19-20, 1987, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
• 3: Barbee Mynatt , Laura Leventhal, Profile of undergraduate software engineering courses: results from a survey, Proceedings of the eighteenth SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education, p.523-528, February 19-20, 1987, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
• 4: Richard A Frost, Introduction to knowledge base systems, Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., Indianapolis, IN, 1986
• 5: Donald A. Waterman, A guide to expert systems, Addison-Wesley Longman Publishing Co., Inc., Boston, MA, 1985
• 6: Buchanan, Bechal, Bennett, Clancey, Kulilowski, Mitchell and Waterman, " Constructing an Expert System", in Flayes-Rolh, Waterman, and Lenat (eds.), Building Expert Systems, Addison- Wesley, 1983
• 7: Donald A. Waterman, A guide to expert systems, Addison-Wesley Longman Publishing Co., Inc., Boston, MA, 1985

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.1 Project and People Management
          Subjects: Systems analysis and design

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Computer science education
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.1 Project and People Management
          Subjects: Systems development; Life cycle

General Terms:
Human Factors, Management