Knowledge Gained

 

Management Information Systems (MIS) has turned out to be much more encompassing than I initially expected it to be. Looking at the title now after taking the class this semester, I can see I have an entirely different perspective on what MIS means. Originally, I thought the course was primarily focused around Excel. This seems very silly now. At the time when I asked other students what the class was about, the number one answer always seemed to be Excel and spreadsheets. With this information, I looked forward to becoming extremely proficient at Excel.

Now I can see that MIS is way more expensive than only Excel. If a student asked me what MIS is all about I would tell them it is about learning to utilize technology to its fullest capability. Managing the tools that we have to leverage productivity, and to share knowledge and information that is already available. In this case, Information Systems are the tools that we can use. I would say to the student that there will be spreadsheets, but they will only be a tiny portion of the entire class.

Learning about the magic bullet logical fallacy will most likely stick with me for the rest of my career. The idea that there is no one solution to all problems can be applied to many other areas of life than just MIS. We are hardwired to believe there is a straight line to all solutions when in reality there are no straight lines to all solutions.

The concept of knowledge management has completely transformed my way of thinking. The research I conducted for the paper has opened my mind to a whole new world. I had never thought of integrating Information Systems into a shared culture before. Information Technology and Information Systems always seemed very disconnected in my mind. Now I can see it is just an external construct of the same thing. We are all interconnected, and there is so much knowledge just waiting for us to use efficiently. There is not one magic bullet that will allow us to do this. The efficient sharing of knowledge must be done on several different levels.

This idea is very exciting for me. I think it will be a continuing theme throughout my school career. What is even more interesting is the avenues of information that have manifested themselves since I have stumbled upon this idea. “The Order of Things” by Foucault was brought to my attention after I brought up the idea of combining Bourdieu’s Cultural Capital with Knowledge Management at a dinner party. There is so much knowledge to be shared, but we must voice that we are interested before it is shared with us. 

Writing for Research

 

At first glance, the topics that were given seemed somewhat mundane and lackluster. I enjoy using tools like Excel, but writing about these tools seems rather dull. Seinfeld said once that there is nothing more boring than analyzing a joke. Because of this, I chose to research knowledge management. It looked like the least technical of all the choices. What is fascinating is that once I began reading and conducting the actual research on the topic, the technical aspects seemed to become the most intriguing. How does one quantify knowledge? How does one use IS to transfer this knowledge to other people?

The quantification of everyday life is what has drawn me into the field of accounting. Accounting has become extremely reliant on tools like Excel. There is no better way to visualize the quantification of everyday life than through Excel. In this way, accounting is extremely reliant on MIS. I spoke to a recent graduate from Penn State who said that MIS is one of the most fundamental resources she uses in her job every day. IS have allowed humans to grow exponentially and institutions have learned how to harness IS resources to take advantage of the individual human capital that each person has.

This assignment is probably one of my favorite assignments of the semester so far. It is hard to believe this semester is almost over. I love diving into the exploration of new material and trying to connect it to something I already know. LionSearch is an utterly fascinating tool. Using the skills learned at the beginning of the class allowed me to utilize LionSearch entirely. While conducting my initial research to determine which books I would be using for this paper; I was able to find some excellent books for my personal reading. I feel that one has the choice of either continually growing or becoming stagnant. I choose the later. What is interesting is that the research I conducted from this paper will be transferrable to a paper I am writing for a scholarship which is due at the end of April. Honestly, the hardest part is stopping at four pages. I can easily see expanding on this idea for a thesis later in life. At this point, I have written the entire paper, but now I must edit it down to meet the 3-4 page requirement. My brain feels very worn out from all the writing I have done for this class as well as all the other writing intensive classes I have, but I enjoy it. It’s like going to the gym and working out external muscles. To be able to see the transformation is a slow gratifying feeling. After many years of hard work, I am finally able to articulate the thoughts in my head.

 

 

Justin Lee Hanks

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Justin Lee Hanks currently resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he is continually amazed by the history and architecture. One example of an amazing find is the original United States Mint which is now home to the Community College of Philadelphia. Inside of this building are Tiffany stain glass murals and elaborate marble staircases.

The Rodin Museum in Philadelphia is one of two in the world. The other one being in Paris. The Philadelphia Museum of art is known for the staircase in the front, but inside are amazing hidden treasures. There is an entire Thomas Eakins section with some two of his larger pieces. The portrait of Dr. Samuel D. Gross titled, “The Gross Clinic,” and a portrait of Dr. David Hayes Agnew titled, “The Agnew Clinic.” “The Gross Clinic” shows the inside of a surgery theater at Thomas Jefferson University in the late 1800’s while “The Agnew Clinic” shows the inside of a surgery theater at University of Pennsylvania during the same time period. As you look at these two extraordinary paintings it is hard not to be captured by the amazing history that surrounds you through multiple dimensions. You are inside of one of the oldest museums in the country while peering back into time at two of the oldest medical schools in the country as well.

I enjoy painting and writing. I am currently majoring in accounting. This is to keep me from floating away into outer space due to my creative proclivities. MIS is an extension of this need for feeling more grounded. By taking MIS I will be able to say with complete confidence that I am proficient in Excel and Microsoft Access. I am pursuing a degree in accounting so that I can have a more fulfilling life. I hope to use the knowledge gained to fund my hobbies and to create a lifestyle business.

I enjoy attending the social mixers at the dog park with Sir Bertram Cooper and jogging along the Skuylkill River. Sir Bertram Cooper is a black standard poodle. He is a very classy dog who enjoys the company of his many friends at the park. He does not like public displays of affection. Cooper does not particularly enjoy jogging but he does enjoy playing in Penn Park.